knock Summary and Overview

"Though Orientals are very jealous of their privacy, they never knock when about to enter your room, but walk in without warning or ceremony. It is nearly impossible to teach an Arab servant to knock at your door. They give warning at the outer gate either by calling or knocking. To stand and call is a very common and respectful mode. Thus Moses commanded the holder of a pledge to stand without and call to the owner to come forth (Deut. 24:10). This was to avoid the violent intrusion of cruel creditors. Peter stood knocking at the outer door (Acts 12:13, 16), and the three men sent to Joppa by Cornelius made inquiry and 'stood before the gate' (10:17, 18). The idea is that the guard over your privacy is to be placed at the entrance." Knocking is used as a sign of importunity (Matt. 7:7, 8; Luke 13:25), and of the coming of Christ (Luke 12:36; Rev. 3:20).

KNOCK , a summons to open the door, Jud 19:22; Cant. Song of Solomon 5:2; Acts 12:13; used as a sign of importunity. Matt 7:7-8; Luke 13:25, and of the signs of the coming of Christ. Luke 12:36; Rev 3:20. Oriental customs require knocking or calling at the outer door or gate, but not at the doors of rooms. Creditors were required by Moses to stand without and call. Deut 24:10-11.