John 16 23

John 16:23 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.

John 16:23 nkjv

"And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.

John 16:23 niv

In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

John 16:23 esv

In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.

John 16:23 nlt

At that time you won't need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.

John 16 verses

John 16 23 Meaning

John 16:23 unveils a pivotal shift in the disciples' relationship with God, ushering in the New Covenant era of direct prayer. Jesus declares that after His resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit ("in that day"), His followers will no longer need to question or inquire of Him directly regarding spiritual matters as they do now. Instead, He guarantees that anything they request from God the Father, when made with His authority and in alignment with His character and purpose (i.e., "in my name"), the Father will graciously grant it to them. This signifies a profound new access to God through Christ.

John 16 23 Context

John 16:23 is part of Jesus' Farewell Discourse (John chapters 13-17), delivered to His disciples just hours before His arrest and crucifixion. This entire section is characterized by Jesus' profound teaching, comfort, and preparation for His departure. He is foretelling future events: His death, resurrection, ascension, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The disciples are troubled, perplexed, and sorrowful, clinging to their direct, physical access to Jesus. He reassures them about His return (spiritually and ultimately physically) and the spiritual provisions that will enable them to endure and thrive in His absence. Specifically, in chapter 16, Jesus details the work of the Holy Spirit, the world's hatred, and the shift from their current sorrow to future joy upon His resurrection and their deepened relationship with God. Verse 23 follows Jesus' explanation that while they currently question Him (v.19), a "day" is coming when this will change. The shift marks the New Covenant era of direct, empowered prayer to the Father through the Son.

John 16 23 Word analysis

• In that day (Ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ - En ekeinē tē hēmera): This phrase marks a significant temporal shift, referring specifically to the era inaugurated by Jesus' resurrection, ascension, and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. It denotes the New Covenant age when believers would experience a new level of spiritual understanding and direct access to God. It signals the end of their period of questioning Jesus directly on earthly matters, ushering in the spiritual revelation by the indwelling Spirit.
• You will ask nothing (οὐκ ἐρωτήσετε οὐδέν - ouk erōtēsete ouden): The Greek word used here for "ask" is erōtaō. It typically implies asking questions, inquiring, or interrogating, often for information or clarification, or sometimes a request between equals or from an inferior to a superior with familiarity. In the immediate context of John 16, the disciples have been questioning Jesus (e.g., Jn 16:19). This means that "in that day," they won't need to directly interrogate Jesus for understanding in the same way, as the Holy Spirit will guide them into all truth (Jn 16:13), making direct questions to the visible Christ unnecessary. This doesn't prohibit prayer or fellowship with Jesus, but changes the mode of seeking understanding and requests.
• of me (ἐμὲ - eme): Refers to Jesus himself. The point is not that disciples would cease all interaction, but that their primary mode of seeking understanding and petitions for provision would shift from a visible, physically present Jesus to a spiritual reality where they approach the Father through Him.
• Truly, truly, I say to you (Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν - Amēn amēn legō hymin): This double "Amen" (Verily, verily) is a unique Johannine emphatic assertion. It signals the supreme importance and absolute certainty of the statement that follows. Jesus uses this frequently to underscore foundational truths.
• whatever (ὅσα ἄν - hosa an): Indicates an unqualified scope, "anything whatsoever" or "as many things as." It covers a vast range of possible requests, provided they meet the subsequent criteria.
• you ask (αἰτήσητε - aitēsēte): This is a different Greek word for "ask" than previously in the verse. Aiteō generally means to beg, petition, or request from a position of need or inferiority, typically seeking something specific. The change from erōtaō to aiteō is critical. It implies a shift from asking questions of Jesus to making petitions to the Father.
• of the Father (τὸν Πατέρα - ton Patera): Identifies the specific recipient of prayer. In the New Covenant, direct prayer to God the Father is made possible. This underscores the intimate, familial relationship believers gain with God.
• in my name (ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου - en tō onomati mou): This is not a magic formula but signifies far more.
  • Authority: Asking "in my name" means asking by Jesus' delegated authority, as one who represents Him and has His backing.
  • Character/Nature: It means asking in a manner consistent with Jesus' character, will, and divine nature. Requests must align with what He stands for, not for selfish desires.
  • Relationship: It implies a deep, abiding relationship with Jesus, where one's will is becoming aligned with His. It is prayer offered as a member of God's family, in vital union with the Son.
  • Purpose: The request must be for the advancement of His Kingdom and glory, fulfilling His mission on earth.
  • This phrase defines the conditions for the effectiveness of prayer in the New Covenant.
• he will give it to you (δώσει ὑμῖν - dōsei hymin): This is a definite promise of granting. The Father will truly bestow what is asked under the stated conditions. It emphasizes God's generous and responsive nature to His children's prayers made through His Son.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "In that day you will ask nothing of me.": This sentence highlights the transition from a pre-Pentecost discipleship where information and requests often flowed directly to the incarnate Christ. The Spirit's advent would render redundant their current mode of querying Jesus as a physical instructor. It speaks to spiritual maturity and direct spiritual revelation rather than cessation of all communication.
• "Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name,": This clause dramatically redirects prayer from the disciples' current informal questioning of Jesus to formalized, authorized petitioning of God the Father. The emphatic "Truly, truly" highlights the new, radical, and assured access. The scope "whatever" is qualified entirely by the critical condition "in my name," elevating prayer from mere human desire to divine alignment.
• "he will give it to you.": This concluding promise ensures the efficacy and faithfulness of God in response to prayers that meet the specified New Covenant criteria. It reassures the disciples that despite Jesus' physical departure, their spiritual connection and resource in God will not diminish but be profoundly enhanced.

John 16 23 Bonus section

The distinction between the Greek verbs erōtaō and aiteō in this single verse is a rich interpretive detail often highlighted by scholars. Erōtaō is typically used in the Gospels for the disciples' questions to Jesus, or Jesus' requests to the Father as one speaking among equals (e.g., Jesus asks the Father in John 14:16 for another Helper). Aiteō, on the other hand, usually signifies asking or requesting from a superior or a position of need (e.g., a beggar asks for alms). Jesus deliberately uses erōtaō when speaking of the disciples "asking nothing of me" and aiteō when speaking of "whatever you ask of the Father in my name." This linguistic precision beautifully underscores the shift from disciples querying their earthly master to children petitioning their heavenly Father with the authority of the ascended Christ. The New Covenant, facilitated by Jesus' work and the Spirit's indwelling, grants believers a direct and empowered avenue to the throne of God that was previously unimaginable. This privilege extends not only to individual petitions but empowers the Church in its collective mission.

John 16 23 Commentary

John 16:23 marks a watershed moment in the understanding of prayer. Prior to this, the disciples asked Jesus questions and brought their concerns to Him directly in His physical presence. Jesus' statement "in that day you will ask nothing of me" does not imply the cessation of interaction with Him, but a change in the form of their seeking. "That day" refers to the post-resurrection and post-Pentecost era when the Holy Spirit would be sent, providing immediate access to divine truth and an intimate relationship with God the Father. The erōtaō (inquire, question) for Jesus directly would give way to aiteō (petition, request) directed to the Father.

The crucial qualifier for prayer in the New Covenant is "in my name." This is far more than an ending phrase to a prayer; it embodies the very essence of prayer's power and effectiveness. To pray in Jesus' name means to pray:

1. By His Authority: Recognizing and invoking His mediatorial role.
2. In His Character: Seeking what aligns with His holy nature and perfect will.
3. For His Purpose: Desiring the advancement of His Kingdom and glory, not personal gain alone.
4. In Unity with Him: As one abiding in Him, whose will is increasingly conformed to His own.When prayer fulfills these conditions, it is, in effect, Jesus Himself praying through the believer, and thus, the Father delights to grant it. This promise does not guarantee every whim is fulfilled, but assures that Spirit-led, Christ-centered prayers receive a divine response, reflecting the Father's love and sovereignty.

Example: If a believer prays for guidance regarding a difficult decision, aligning their request with God's Word (character) and desiring to honor God (purpose), this is praying "in Jesus' name." Similarly, praying for strength to forgive an offender, because Jesus commanded forgiveness (authority/character), fits this model.