Given the immediate context of Jesus’ words, asking must primarily concern the wisdom needed to deal with the fault and failing of a fellow believer in a spirit of gentleness. This was the topic of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:1–6. More generally, asking could also be related to a request for God’s help to obey his commandments and seek the purposes of his kingdom (Matthew 6:33)—to seek help from the Father so as to live in accordance with the virtues and standards that Jesus has taught.¹