John 16:23
in John 16In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
And in that day ye shall ask me no question. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If ye shall ask anything of the Father, he will give it you in my name.
KJV
And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
⋯
This verse in John 16
Commentary
20 notes on this verseHe says that His holy disciples will increase in wisdom and knowledge when they should be clothed with power from on high according to the Scripture, and with their minds illumined by the torchlight of the Spirit should be able to conceive all wisdom, even though they asked no question of Him Who was no longer present with them in the flesh.
This site's exposition
ask the Father in My name
on John 16:23-24
In that day the disciples stop asking Jesus questions and ask the Father in My name. Praying in His name means praying on His authority and His standing with the Father. Ask and you will receive, and the joy is made complete.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers5 voices
(Tr. ci. 4) The word ask here means not only to seek for, but to ask a question: the Greek word from which it is translated has both meanings. (Tr. cii) But does He love us because we love Him; or rather do not we love Him, because He loved us? This is what the Evangelist says, Let us love God, because God first loved us. (1 John 4:19) The Father then loves us, because we love the Son, (Diligamus Deum, Vulg.) it being from the Father and the Son, that we receive the love from the Father and the Son. He loves what He has made; but He would not make in us what He loved, except He loved us in the first place. (Tr. cii) He came forth from the Father, because He is of the Father; He came into the world, because He showed Himself in the body to the world. He left the world by His departure in the body, and went to the Father by the ascension of His humanity, nor yet in respect of the government of His presence, left the world; just as when He went forth from the Father and came into the world, He did so in such wise as not to leave the Father. But our Lord Jesus Christ, we read, was asked questions, and petitioned after His resurrection: for when about to ascend to Heaven He was asked by His disciples when He would restore the kingdom to Israel; when in Heaven He was asked by Stephen, to receive his spirit. And who would dare to say that as mortal He might be asked, as immortal He might not? I think then that when He says, In that day ye shall ask Me nothing, He refers not to the time of His resurrection, but to that time when we shall see Him as He is: which vision is not of this present life, but of the life everlasting, when we shall ask for nothing, ask no questions, because there will remain nothing to be desired, nothing to be learnt. (Tr. […]
We have now to consider these words of the Lord, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, If ye shall ask anything of the Father in my name, He will give it you." It has already been said in the earlier portions of this discourse of our Lord's, on account of those who ask some things of the Father in Christ's name and receive them not, that there is nothing asked of the Father in the Saviour's name that is asked in contrariety to the method of salvation. For it is not the sound of the letters and syllables, but what the sound itself imports, and what is rightly and truly to be understood by that sound, that He is to be regarded as declaring, when He says, "in my name." Hence, he who has such ideas of Christ as ought not to be entertained of the only Son of God, asketh not in His name, even though he may not abstain from the mention of Christ in so many letters and syllables; since it is only in His name he asketh, of whom he is thinking when he asketh. But he who has such ideas of Him as ought to be entertained, asketh in His name, and receiveth what he asketh, if he asketh nothing that is contrary to his own everlasting salvation. And he receiveth it when he ought to receive it. For some things are not refused, but are delayed till they can be given at a suitable time. In this way, surely, we are to understand His words, "He will give you," so that thereby we may know that those benefits are signified which are properly applicable to those who ask. For all the saints are heard effectively in their own behalf, but are not so heard in behalf of all besides, whether friends or enemies, or any others: for it is not said in a general kind of way, "He will give;" but, "He will give you."
And so, when the saints give thanks to God in their prayers, they acknowledge through Christ Jesus the favors he has done. And if it is true that one who is scrupulous about prayer ought not to pray to someone else who prays but rather to the Father whom our Lord Jesus taught us to address in prayers, it is especially true that no prayer should be addressed to the Father without him, who clearly points this out himself when he says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name. Up till now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." Now he did not say "ask me" or simply "ask the Father." On the contrary, he said, "If you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name." For until Jesus taught this, no one asked the Father in the name of the Son. And what Jesus said was true, "Up till now you have asked nothing in my name." And also true was his saying, "Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full."
Let us therefore, brethren beloved, pray as God our Teacher has taught us. It is a loving and friendly prayer to beseech God with His own word, to come up to His ears in the prayer of Christ. Let the Father acknowledge the words of His Son when we make our prayer, and let Him also who dwells within in our breast Himself dwell in our voice. And since we have Him as an Advocate with the Father for our sins, let us, when as sinners we petition on behalf of our sins, put forward the words of our Advocate. For since He says, that "whatsoever we shall ask of the Father in His name, He will give us," how much more effectually do we obtain what we ask in Christ's name, if we ask for it in His own prayer!
"And in that day ye shall ask Me nothing." Again He proveth nothing else by these words, but that He is from God. "For then ye shall for the time to come know all things." But what is, "Ye shall not ask Me"? "Ye shall need no intercessor, but it is sufficient that ye call on My Name, and so gain all things." "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask My Father in My Name." He showeth the power of His Name, if at least being neither seen nor called upon, but only named, He even maketh us approved by the Father. But where hath this taken place? Where they say, "Lord, behold their threatenings, and grant unto Thy servants that with boldness they may speak Thy word" (Acts iv. 29, Acts iv. 31), "and work miracles in Thy Name." "And the place was shaken where they were."
13 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church7 voices
A commentator
BonaventureCollations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 3 · Written in the 13th century.
proposed
This Hierarch is the most generous because He gives us whatever we ask. "Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in My name," He shall give it to you. He swears to it and asserts it with complete truthfulness.
And in that day you shall not ask me anything, that is, you shall not question me. If this is referred to the day of glory, it is true, because then they will see all things clearly; Isaiah fifty-four: "I will make all your children …
It follows: "That whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, he may give it you." Behold, here he says: "Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you." Again, elsewhere through the same Evangelist he says: "If you shall ask the Father anything in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto you have not asked anything in my name." If the Father gives us everything we ask in the name of the Son, what then does it mean that Paul asked the Lord three times and did not deserve to be heard, but it was said to him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness"? Did not that most excellent preacher ask in the name of the Son? Why then did he not receive what he asked? How then is it true that whatever we ask the Father in the name of the Son, the Father gives us, if the Apostle asked in the name of the Son that the angel of Satan be removed from him, and yet did not receive what he asked? But since the name of the Son is Jesus, and Jesus means savior, or is also called salvation, therefore he asks in the name of the Savior who asks for that which pertains to true salvation. For if something that is not expedient is asked for, the Father is not being asked in the name of Jesus. Hence the Lord says to those same apostles while they were still weak: "Hitherto you have not asked anything in my name." As if it were openly said: You have not asked in the name of the Savior because you do not know how to seek eternal salvation. Hence it is that Paul also is not heard, because if he were freed from the temptation, it would not profit him unto salvation.
This is His meaning then: In the world to come, ye shall ask Me nothing: but in the mean time while ye are travelling on this wearisome road, ask what ye want of the Father, and He will give it you: Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My Name, He will give it you.
It can disturb hearers with weak [faith] that, at the beginning of this reading from the Gospel, the Savior promises his disciples, "If you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you." Not only do people like us not …
2135 Above, our Lord enlarged on two things which would comfort his apostles, the promise of the Paraclete and his own return. Here he mentions a third reason by which he comforts them, promising them access to the Father. First, he promises them an intimate …
"When," He says, "I rise again, and then the Comforter comes to you and guides you into all truth, then you will not ask Me anything, as, for example, you previously asked: 'Where are You going?' (John 14:5), 'Show us the Father' (John 14:8). For …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
Whatsoever ye shall ask - Knowledge, love, or any thing else, he will give it - Our Lord here gives us a charte blanche. Believer, write down what thou wilt. He had said, Chap. xiv, 13, I will do it, where the discourse was of glorifying the Father through the Son.
In that day ye shall ask me nothing,....
The Nineteenth Century4 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
In that day - After my resurrection and ascension. Ye shall ask me nothing - The word rendered “ask” here may have two significations, one to ask by way of inquiry, the other to ask for assistance. Perhaps there is reference here to both these senses. While he was with them they had been accustomed to depend on him for the supply of their wants, and in a great degree to propose their trials to him, expecting his aid. See Mat 8:25; Joh 11:
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: John (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1869)
proposed
Not all Christ's sayings were understood by His disciples. We are told this distinctly in the passage we have now read. "What is this that he says? We cannot tell what he says." None ever spoke so plainly as Jesus. None were so thoroughly accustomed to His style of teaching as the Apostles. Yet even the Apostles did not always take in their Master's meaning. Surely we have no right to be surprised if we cannot interpret Christ's words. There are many depths in those who we have no line to fathom.
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: John (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1869)
proposed
Not all Christ's sayings were understood by His disciples. We are told this distinctly in the passage we have now read. "What is this that he says? We cannot tell what he says." None ever spoke so plainly as Jesus. None were so thoroughly accustomed to His style of teaching as the Apostles. Yet even the Apostles did not always take in their Master's meaning. Surely we have no right to be surprised if we cannot interpret Christ's words. There are many depths in those who we have no line to fathom. But let us thank God that there are many sayings of our Lord recorded which no honest mind can fail to understand. Let us use diligently the light that we have, and not doubt that "to him that has, more shall be given." We learn, for one thing, in these verses, that Christ's absence from the earth will be a time of sorrow to believers, but of joy to the world. It is written, "You shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice." To confine these words to the single point of Christ's approaching death and burial, appears a narrow view of their meaning. Like many of our Lord's sayings on the last evening of His earthly ministry, they seem to extend over the whole period of time between His first and second advents. Christ's personal absence must needs be a sorrow to all true-hearted believers. "The children of the bride-chamber cannot but fast when the bridegroom is taken from them." Faith is not sight. Hope is not certainty. Reading and hearing are not the same as beholding. Praying is not the same as speaking face to face. There is something, even in the hearts of the most eminent saints, that will never be fully satisfied as long as they are on earth and Christ is in heaven.
Ye shall ask me nothing - Ye shall then be led, by that Spirit which guides into all truth, to consider me in the character of Mediator in the kingdom of God, and to address your prayers to the Father in my name - in the name of Jesus the Savior, because I have died to redeem you - in the name of Christ the Anointer, because I have ascended to send down the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The words behind it
24 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| καὶ | kai | And | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| ἐκείνῃ | ekeine | that [very] | G1565 → | 260 times |
| τῇ | tea | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἡμέρᾳ | hemera | day | G2250 → | 389 times |
| ἐμὲ | eme | of Me myself | G1473 → | 839 times |
| οὐκ | ouk | not | G3756 → | 1664 times |
| ἐρωτήσετε | erotesete | you will ask | G2065 → | 62 times |
| οὐδέν.¶ | ouden | no [thing]. | G3762 → | 232 times |
| Ἀμὴν | amen | Amen | G281 → | 127 times |
| ἀμὴν | amen | Amen | G281 → | 127 times |
| λέγω | lego | I say | G3004 → | 1325 times |
| ὑμῖν· | humin | to you; | G4771 → | 2973 times |
| ἄν | an | maybe | G302 → | 165 times |
| τι | ti | whatever | G5100 → | 528 times |
| αἰτήσητε | aitesete | you may ask | G154 → | 70 times |
| τὸν | ton | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| πατέρα | patera | Father | G3962 → | 410 times |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| τῷ | to | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ὀνόματί | onomati | name | G3686 → | 227 times |
| μου | mou | of Me | G3165 → | 1936 times |
| δώσει | dosei | He will give | G1325 → | 412 times |
| ὑμῖν. | humin | to you. | G4771 → | 2973 times |
καὶAnd
kaiG2532 →9120 times
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
ἐκείνῃthat [very]
ekeineG1565 →260 times
τῇ<the>
teaG3588 →19766 times
ἡμέρᾳday
hemeraG2250 →389 times
ἐμὲof Me myself
emeG1473 →839 times
οὐκnot
oukG3756 →1664 times
ἐρωτήσετεyou will ask
eroteseteG2065 →62 times
οὐδέν.¶no [thing].
oudenG3762 →232 times
ἈμὴνAmen
amenG281 →127 times
ἀμὴνAmen
amenG281 →127 times
λέγωI say
legoG3004 →1325 times
ὑμῖν·to you;
huminG4771 →2973 times
ἄνmaybe
anG302 →165 times
τιwhatever
tiG5100 →528 times
αἰτήσητεyou may ask
aiteseteG154 →70 times
τὸνthe
tonG3588 →19766 times
πατέραFather
pateraG3962 →410 times
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
τῷthe
toG3588 →19766 times
ὀνόματίname
onomatiG3686 →227 times
μουof Me
mouG3165 →1936 times
δώσειHe will give
doseiG1325 →412 times
ὑμῖν.to you.
huminG4771 →2973 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
John 15:7If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
it leads to
- John 14:13
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- 1 John 3:22
and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Psalms 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
- 1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
- John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
- John 14:13
Through
Isaiah 65:24Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear.
it leads to
- 1 John 5:14–15
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Daniel 10:12
“Do not be afraid, Daniel,” he said, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response…
- 1 John 5:14–15
Through
Matthew 21:22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
it leads to
- Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Mark 11:24
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies3
On this verse
On this chapter
About John
This page draws on 19 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Alcuin of York, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Augustine of Hippo, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Augustine of Hippo, Tractates on John 102; Bede, Homilies on the Gospels 2.12; Bonaventure, Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 3; Bonaventure, Commentary on John, Chapter 16; Cyprian, Treatise IV On the Lord's Prayer; Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 11; Gregory the Dialogist, Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 27; J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, John; J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: John (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition); John Chrysostom, Homily on the Gospel of John 79; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Origen of Alexandria, ON PRAYER 15.2; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on John and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on John.