The Greek that is translated as “knock (on a door)” in English is translated as “call” (Zanaki, Yanesha’) “speak” (Tzeltal), or “clap” (Zarma).
This is sometimes due to the fact that doors are not being used in the respective cultures (as, for instance, in Yanesha’) or, as Nida (p. 45f.) explains, other cultural differences:
“One cannot say to the Zanaki people along the winding shores of sprawling Lake Victoria, ‘Behold I stand at the door and knock’ (Revelation 3:20). This would mean that Christ was declaring Himself to be a thief, for in Zanaki land thieves generally make it a practice to knock on the door of a hut which they hope to burglarize; and if they hear any movement or noise inside, they dash off into the dark. An honest man will come to a house and call the name of the person inside, and in this way identify himself by his voice. Accordingly, in the Zanaki translation it is necessary to say, ‘Behold I stand at the door and call.’ This wording might be slightly strange to us, but the meaning is the same. In each case Christ is asking people to open the door. He is no thief and He will not force an entrance; He knocks — and in Zanaki “He calls.” If anything the Zanaki expression is a little more personal than our own.”
Sources: Nida 1952 (Zanaki); Duff Tripp, p. 310 (Yanesha’); Reiling / Swellengrebel (Tzeltal, Zarma).
See also complete verse (Rev. 3:20) and knock (Rev. 3:20).
The now commonly-used German idiom er (da) sucht, der findet (literally “whoever searches will find”), which today is primarily used as an encouragement to actively engage in finding solutions, was coined 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 113)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
Following are a number of back-translations of Matthew 7:8:
- Uma: “Because whoever asks is definitely given to. Whoever searches definitely receives. Whoever asks for the door to be opened, the door is definitely opened for him.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
- Yakan: “For all who ask will be given, the ones who seek will find and the ones who ask to be let in will be opened for.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
- Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Because all who ask for something from God are able to receive. Those who are looking for something are able to find it. And he who calls out at the door, God also opens it for him.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
- Kankanaey: “Because whoever (lit. even who) makes-requests to God will be given-to, and whoever searches will find what he is looking for. Also whoever knocks, the doorway will be opened for him.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
- Tagbanwa: “Because as-many-as request are given to. The ones who search can find. And as-many-as plead to be permitted to enter receive-a-favorable-response.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
- Tenango Otomi: “Because the person who asks for what he wants will be given it. He who hunts will find. He who knocks on the door will have it opened.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Barclay Newman, a translator on the teams for both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version, translated passages of the New Testament into English and published them in 2014, “in a publication brief enough to be non-threatening, yet long enough to be taken seriously, and interesting enough to appeal to believers and un-believers alike.” The following is the translation of Matthew 7:7-12:
Keep knocking until God opens the door for you,
as he always does for someone who doesn’t give up.
Ask and receive—seek and find—that’s how it works.
Although you’re evil, you’re still good to your children.
If they were hungry for fish and chips,
you’d never feed them snakes and stones.
Your Father above is goodness personified
and will gladly do good for anyone who asks.
What’s the Bible all about? I’ll tell you —
Treat others the way you want them to treat you.
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