κρούω (krouō)
krouō
to knock
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek verb krouō means simply to knock or strike against a surface, most frequently describing someone rapping on a door. In the New Testament, it appears in nine verses across Matthew, Luke, Acts, and Revelation, capturing the physical act of seeking entry.
This word carries significant weight in Jesus’ teachings about persistence and availability. He uses it to illustrate prayer in Luke 11:9-10, urging believers to keep knocking until the door is opened. Conversely, in Revelation 3:20, it describes Christ standing outside a church, knocking to gain fellowship with those who hear His voice.
The imagery is concrete and universal. Whether it is Peter waiting at a gate in Acts 12:13 or the foolish virgins arriving too late in Matthew 25:11, krouō emphasizes the agency of the one seeking access. It remains a simple yet powerful symbol for divine invitation and human response.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word krouō describes the simple, physical act of knocking on a door. In Jesus’ teaching, this action is paired with asking and seeking, showing that prayer is an active engagement with God rather than a passive wish. When you knock, you are expressing a need for entry or help, trusting that the one inside hears your voice.
This image appears in two distinct ways. Sometimes we are the ones knocking, persisting in prayer until a door opens, as seen in Matthew 7:7. Other times, Christ is the one standing outside our hearts, knocking to share a meal and fellowship with us, as described in Revelation 3:20. Both scenarios remind us that relationship requires response.
Whether you are waiting for an answer or listening for His voice, this word invites you into honest connection. It assures us that God is not distant or unreachable. He responds to those who seek Him and welcomes those who open their hearts to His presence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- knocking2×
- do knock2×
- to knock1×
- knocking;1×
- knock.1×
- having knocked1×
- When was knocking1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κρούσαντος2×
- κρούοντι2×
- κρούετε,2×
- κρούων·1×
- κρούω.1×
- κρούειν1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.
This verse links knocking directly with asking and seeking, establishing persistence as a key part of prayer.
-
Luke 11:9
“I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you.
The repetition of 'keep knocking' emphasizes that continued effort is expected in our spiritual lives.
-
Acts 12:16
But Peter continued knocking. When they had opened, they saw him and were amazed.
Peter’s continued knocking demonstrates that physical persistence can mirror spiritual expectation even when others doubt.