John 16 26

John 16:26 kjv

At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

John 16:26 nkjv

In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you;

John 16:26 niv

In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.

John 16:26 esv

In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf;

John 16:26 nlt

Then you will ask in my name. I'm not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf,

John 16 verses

John 16 26 Meaning

Jesus states that he will not intercede for the disciples to the Father directly, but rather the Father Himself will love the disciples because they have loved Jesus and believed he came from God. This is a pivotal moment shifting from Jesus’ direct advocacy to the Father’s intimate relationship with believers.

John 16 26 Context

This verse is found within Jesus' Farewell Discourse, delivered to his disciples on the night before his crucifixion. The preceding verses (John 16:24-25) speak of the disciples asking and receiving in Jesus' name. John 16:23 shifts the focus from requests made in Jesus' name to a time when the disciples will ask the Father directly in Jesus' name, implying a new, more intimate access. Jesus’ explanation in verse 26 clarifies this transition, explaining that the Father will initiate direct interaction because of the disciples’ love for Jesus and their faith in his divine origin. This discourse takes place during the Last Supper, surrounded by a climate of both profound intimacy and impending betrayal and suffering. The immediate historical context is the anticipation of Jesus’ departure, his return to the Father, and the subsequent sending of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate.

John 16 26 Word Analysis

• Ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ (en ekeinē tē hēmera) - "In that day" or "At that time." This phrase is prophetic, pointing to a future era inaugurated by Jesus' exaltation and the coming of the Spirit. It signifies a distinct turning point.
• οὐκ ἐν ἐρωτήσω ὑμᾶς (ouk en erōtēsō hymas) - "I will not ask you" (or "request of you"). The grammatical structure is active voice, future tense, indicative mood. Jesus here states he will cease the practice of asking them for something, likely referring to a transition from making requests on their behalf to the Father. Some interpret it as "I will not question you" as in holding them accountable for something they have not done, but the immediate context of John 16:23 suggests "ask" in the sense of intercession.
• τὸν πατέρα (ton patera) - "the Father." Refers to God the Father, emphasizing Jesus' relationship with Him.
• περὶ ὑμῶν (peri hymōn) - "concerning you" or "about you." The preposition peri can denote "about," "concerning," or "for." In this context, it highlights that his asking to the Father was for the disciples’ benefit.
• αὐτὸς γὰρ ὁ πατὴρ φιλεῖ ὑμᾶς (autos gar ho patēr philei hymas) - "for the Father himself loves you."
  • αὐτὸς (autos) - "himself." This is an emphatic pronoun, underscoring that the Father, personally and directly, is the one doing the loving. It highlights the Father's own initiative and affection.
  • γὰρ (gar) - "for" or "because." Introduces the reason for not needing to ask.
  • ὁ πατὴρ (ho patēr) - "the Father." Direct reference to God.
  • φιλεῖ (philei) - "loves." From the verb phileō, signifying brotherly love, affection, and delight. This is a deep, intimate, personal love.
  • ὑμᾶς (hymas) - "you" (plural). Refers to the disciples.
• ὅτι ὑμεῖς ἐμοὶ ἠγαπήκατε (hoti hymeis emoi ēgapēkate) - "because you have loved me."
  • ὅτι (hoti) - "because." States the condition or reason for the Father’s love.
  • ὑμεῖς (hymeis) - "you" (plural). Emphatic, contrasting with "I" (Jesus) or "the Father."
  • ἐμοὶ (emoi) - "me." Dative case, indicating the object of the love.
  • ἠγαπήκατε (ēgapēkate) - "have loved." From the verb agapao. This is the perfect tense, indicating a past action with ongoing results, emphasizing a settled, abiding love that continues to exist. It speaks of a commitment and a volitional love.
• καὶ ἐπιστεύσατε ὅτι ἐγὼ ἐκ τοῦ πατρὸς ἐξῆλθον (kai episteusate oti egō ek tou patros exēlthen) - "and have believed that I came forth from the Father."
  • καὶ (kai) - "and." Connects this faith to their love.
  • ἐπιστεύσατε (episteusate) - "have believed." Again, the aorist tense often signifies a decisive act of believing. They have believed, indicating a foundational faith in Jesus’ origin.
  • ὅτι (hoti) - "that." Introduces the content of their belief.
  • ἐγὼ (egō) - "I." Emphasis on Jesus’ own person.
  • ἐκ τοῦ πατρὸς (ek tou patros) - "from the Father."
    • ἐκ (ek) - "out from," indicating origin or source.
    • τοῦ πατρὸς (tou patros) - "the Father." Genitive case, showing source.
  • ἐξῆλθον (exēlthen) - "came forth" or "went out." Aorist indicative verb, stating the fact of Jesus’ divine origin and mission from the Father.

Words-group Analysis

The transition from Jesus asking for them to the Father loving them because they loved and believed Jesus marks a crucial shift in understanding their relationship with God. Their love (agape) and faith in Jesus' divine origin (from the Father) establish a basis for the Father's personal affection and direct engagement with them, rather than solely through Jesus’ mediation in that moment.

John 16 26 Bonus Section

The phrasing "I will not ask you" is distinct from Jesus' continued high-priestly intercession described elsewhere (e.g., Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25). Instead, it signals a change in the mode of access or communication from the disciples’ perspective, directly to the Father, mediated by their existing relationship with Jesus, which the Father Himself honors. The emphasis on phileō (intimate love) by the Father and agapao (deep, volitional love) by the disciples underscores the quality of their relationship, mirroring the divine love that already motivated Jesus to come and die for them (John 3:16, Romans 5:8). This intimate connection anticipates the "day" of the New Covenant.

John 16 26 Commentary

Jesus shifts the disciples' focus from his immediate intercessory role to the Father’s own love, which is now accessible due to the disciples' loving commitment and faith in Jesus’ divine identity and mission. Their sincere affection for Jesus and their conviction that he is from the Father serve as the foundational reason for the Father’s personal, profound love for them. This highlights a deep, reciprocal relationship where love and belief open the door to direct communion and the Father's abiding favor, ushering in an era where the Father is directly involved in the lives of believers.