Albert Barnes Commentary Revelation 3:20

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." — Revelation 3:20 (ASV)

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock. This implies that, even though they had erred, the way of repentance and hope was not closed against them. He was still willing to be gracious, though their conduct had been so loathsome (Revelation 3:16). To see the real force of this language, we must remember how disgusting and offensive their conduct had been to Him. And yet He was willing, despite this, to receive them into His favor; indeed, He stood and pleaded with them so that He might be received with the hospitality that would be shown to a friend or stranger.

The language here is so plain that it scarcely needs explanation. It is taken from an act when we approach a dwelling and, by a well-understood sign—knocking—announce our presence and ask for admission. The act of knocking implies two things:

1. That we desire admittance; and

2. That we recognize the right of Him who dwells in the house to open the door to us or not, as He pleases. We do not obtrude upon Him; we do not force His door; and if, after we are sure that we are heard, we are not admitted, we turn quietly away.

Both of these things are implied here by the language the Savior uses when He approaches humanity, represented by the image of knocking at the door: that He desires to be admitted to our friendship; and that He recognizes our freedom in the matter. He does not obtrude Himself upon us, nor does He employ force to find admission to the heart.

If admitted, He comes and dwells with us; if rejected, He turns quietly away—perhaps to return and knock again, perhaps never to come back. The language used here may also be understood as applicable to all people, and to all the methods by which the Savior seeks to enter a sinner's heart.

It would properly refer to anything that would announce His presence: His word; His Spirit; the solemn events of His providence; the invitations of His gospel. In these and other ways He comes to people; and the significance of these invitations can be understood by imagining that He came to us personally, solicited our friendship, and proposed to be our Redeemer.

Furthermore, this expression proves that the attempt at reconciliation begins with the Savior. It is not that the sinner goes out to meet Him, or to seek Him; it is that the Savior presents Himself at the door of the heart as if He desired to enjoy friendship with humankind.

This is in accordance with the uniform language of the New Testament, that God so loved the world as to give His only-begotten Son; that Christ came to seek and to save the lost; that the Savior says, Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, etc. Salvation, in the Scriptures, is never represented as originating with humankind.

If any man hear My voice. Perhaps this refers to a custom then prevailing, that he who knocked spoke, in order to make known who he was. This might be demanded in the night (Luke 11:5), or when there was apprehension of danger, and it may have been the custom when John wrote.

The language here, in accordance with the uniform usage in the Scriptures (John 7:37; Revelation 22:17), is universal. It proves that the invitations of the gospel are made, and are to be made, not only to a part, but fully and freely to all people. For, although this originally had reference to the members of the church in Laodicea, yet the language chosen seems to have been intentionally so universal (ean tis) as to be applicable to every human being. And anyone, of any age and in any land, would be authorized to apply this to themselves, and, under the protection of this invitation, to come to the Savior and to plead this promise as one that fairly included them.

Furthermore, it may be observed that this also recognizes human freedom. It is left to each person whether they will hear the Redeemer's voice or not, and whether they will open the door and admit Him or not. He speaks loud enough, and distinctly enough, to be heard, but He does not force the door if it is not voluntarily opened.

And open the door. As one would when a stranger or friend stood and knocked. The meaning here is simply, if anyone will admit Me; that is, receive Me as a friend. The act of receiving Him is as voluntary on our part as it is when we rise and open the door to one who knocks. It may be added:

1. That this is an easy thing. Nothing is easier than to open the door when one knocks; and so everywhere in the Scriptures it is represented as an easy thing, if the heart is willing, to secure the salvation of the soul.

2. This is a reasonable thing. We invite one who knocks at the door to come in. We always assume, unless there is reason to suspect the contrary, that they apply for peaceful and friendly purposes. We consider it the height of rudeness to let someone stand and knock for a long time, or to let them go away with no friendly invitation to enter our dwelling. Yet how differently does the sinner treat the Savior! How long do they allow Him to knock at the door of their heart, with no invitation to enter—no act of common civility such as they would show even a stranger! And with how much coolness and indifference do they see Him turn away—perhaps to come back no more, and with no desire that He should ever return!

I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. This is an image denoting intimacy and friendship. Supper, with the ancients, was the principal social meal; and the idea here is that between the Savior and those who would receive Him, there would be the intimacy that subsists between those who sit down to a friendly meal together. In all countries and times, to eat together, to break bread together, has been the symbol of friendship, and this the Savior promises here. The truths, then, which are taught in this verse, are:

1. That the invitation of the gospel is made to all—if any man hear My voice;

2. That the movement towards reconciliation and friendship originates with the Savior—behold, I stand at the door and knock;

3. That there is a recognition of our own free agency in religion—if any man will hear My voice, and open the door;

4. The ease of the terms of salvation, represented by "hearing His voice," and "opening the door;" and

5. The blessedness of thus admitting Him, arising from His friendship—I will sup with him, and he with Me. What friend can a person have who would confer so many benefits on them as the Lord Jesus Christ? Who is there that a person should so gladly welcome to their heart?