The Meaning of John 16:26 Explained

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:

YLT: 'In that day, in my name ye will make request, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father for you,

Darby: In that day ye shall ask in my name; and I say not to you that I will demand of the Father for you,

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does John 16:26 Mean?

Context Summary

John 16:25-33 - Good Cheer For Hours Of Trial
God still speaks to us in proverbs. We could not understand or receive the perfect discovery of Himself. These are but part of His ways, Job 26:14. But in a little while, when the entire mystery of His will has been fulfilled, we shall see Him face to face, and He will speak to us plainly about the things that we do not now understand.
There is a close connection between prayer and joy. In the midst of a battle, when the soldiers are weary, galled with fire and grimed with smoke, if the general rides into their midst, to cheer them with hearty words and to assure them that the key to the position is already taken, they fight with the inspiration of victory. So down the line our Leader and Commander sends this encouragement. Let us carry His peace in our hearts, and be of good courage, 1 John 5:4-5. [source]

Chapter Summary: John 16

1  Jesus comforts his disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit, and his ascension;
23  assures their prayers made in his name to be acceptable
33  Peace in Jesus, and in the world affliction

Greek Commentary for John 16:26

I say not [ου λεγω]
“I speak not.” Christ did pray for the disciples before his death (John 14:16; John 17:9, John 17:15, John 17:24) and he prays also for sinners (Luke 23:34; 1 John 2:1). Here it is the special love of God for disciples of Jesus (John 14:21, John 14:23; John 17:23; 1 John 4:19). Note αιτεω — aiteō and ερωταω — erōtaō used in practically the same sense as in John 16:23. [source]
Ye shall ask - I will pray []
Note again the use of the two verbs for asking. Ye shall ask ( αἰτήσεσθε ); I will pray ( ἐρωτήσω ). See on John 16:23. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 16:26

John 14:13 Whatsoever ye shall ask [οτι αν αιτησητε]
Indefinite relative clause with οτι — hoti (neuter accusative singular of οστις — hostis), αν — an and the aorist active subjunctive of αιτεω — aiteō This is an advance thought over John 14:12. In my name First mention of his “name” as the open sesame to the Father‘s will. See also John 14:26; John 15:16; John 16:23, John 16:24, John 16:26. That will I do The Father answers prayers (John 15:16; John 16:23), but so does the Son (here and John 14:14). The purpose (ινα — hina clause with first aorist passive subjunctive of δοχαζω — doxazō) is “that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” Plead Christ‘s name in prayer to the Father. [source]
John 15:16 But I chose you [αλλ εγω εχελεχαμην υμας]
First aorist middle indicative of εκλεγω — eklegō See this same verb and tense used for the choice of the disciples by Christ (John 6:70; John 13:18; John 15:19). Jesus recognizes his own responsibility in the choice after a night of prayer (Luke 6:13). So Paul was “a vessel of choice” Appointed First aorist active indicative Second aorist active subjunctive of διδωμι — didōmi with ινα — hina (purpose clause). Cf. John 14:13 for the same purpose and promise, but with ποιησω — poiēsō (I shall do). See also John 16:23, John 16:26. [source]
John 16:23 Ye shall ask me nothing [εμε ουκ ερωτησετε]
Either in the sense of question (original meaning of ερωταω — erōtaō) as in John 16:19, John 16:30 since he will be gone or in the sense of request or favours (like αιτεω — aiteō in this verse) as in John 14:16; Acts 3:2. In John 16:26 both αιτεω — aiteō and ερωταω — erōtaō occur in this sense. Either view makes sense here. If ye shall ask Third-class condition, αν — an like εαν — ean with first aorist active subjunctive of αιτεω — aiteō See note on John 14:26 for “in my name.” [source]
John 20:19 When therefore it was evening on that day [ουσης ουν οπσιας τηι ημεραι εκεινει]
Genitive absolute with οπσια — opsia John often uses this note of time (John 1:39; John 5:9; John 11:53; John 14:20; John 16:23, John 16:26). The addition of τηι μιαι σαββατων — tēi miāi sabbatōn (see John 20:1 for this use of μιαι — miāi like πρωτηι — prōtēi) proves that John is using Roman time, not Jewish, for here evening follows day instead of preceding it. When the doors were shut Genitive absolute again with perfect passive participle of κλειω — kleiō shut to keep the Jews out. News of the empty tomb had already spread (Matthew 28:11). See John 7:13 for the phrase “for fear of the Jews”; cf. John 12:42. Stood in the midst Second aorist (ingressive) active (intransitive) of ιστημι — histēmi “stepped into the midst.” Peace be unto you The usual oriental salutation as in John 20:21, John 20:26; Luke 24:36, here with probable reference to John 14:27 (Christ‘s legacy of peace). [source]
Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself [αυτο το πνευμα]
The grammatical gender of πνευμα — pneuma is neuter as here, but the Greek used also the natural gender as we do exclusively as in John 16:13 εκεινος — ekeinos (masculine he), το πνευμα — to pneuma (neuter). See also John 16:26 It is a grave mistake to use the neuter “it” or “itself” when referring to the Holy Spirit. [source]
1 John 5:14 That [οτι]
Declarative again, as in 1 John 5:11.If we ask anything (εαν τι αιτωμετα — ean ti aitōmetha). Condition of third class with εαν — ean and present middle (indirect) subjunctive (personal interest as in James 4:3, though the point is not to be pressed too far, for see Matthew 20:20, Matthew 20:22; John 16:24, John 16:26).According to his will This is the secret in all prayer, even in the case of Jesus himself. For the phrase see 1 Peter 4:19; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 1:5, Ephesians 1:11.He heareth us (ακουει ημων — akouei hēmōn). Even when God does not give us what we ask, in particular then (Hebrews 5:7.). [source]
1 John 5:14 If we ask anything [εαν τι αιτωμετα]
Condition of third class with εαν — ean and present middle (indirect) subjunctive (personal interest as in James 4:3, though the point is not to be pressed too far, for see Matthew 20:20, Matthew 20:22; John 16:24, John 16:26). [source]

What do the individual words in John 16:26 mean?

In that - day the name of Me you will ask and not I say to you that I will implore the Father for you
ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῷ ὀνόματί μου αἰτήσεσθε καὶ οὐ λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐγὼ ἐρωτήσω τὸν Πατέρα περὶ ὑμῶν

ἐκείνῃ  that 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐκεῖνος  
Sense: he, she it, etc.
τῇ  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἡμέρᾳ  day 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἡμέρα  
Sense: the day, used of the natural day, or the interval between sunrise and sunset, as distinguished from and contrasted with the night.
ὀνόματί  name 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: ὄνομα  
Sense: name: univ.
μου  of  Me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
αἰτήσεσθε  you  will  ask 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Middle, 2nd Person Plural
Root: αἰτέω  
Sense: to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require.
λέγω  I  say 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
ὑμῖν  to  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ὅτι  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
ἐρωτήσω  will  implore 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐρωτάω  
Sense: to question.
Πατέρα  Father 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: προπάτωρ 
Sense: generator or male ancestor.

What are the major concepts related to John 16:26?

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