The Meaning of John 16:23 Explained

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.

YLT: and in that day ye will question me nothing; verily, verily, I say to you, as many things as ye may ask of the Father in my name, He will give you;

Darby: And in that day ye shall demand nothing of me: verily, verily, I say to you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give you.

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 Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does John 16:23 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The context indicates that the day in view is the time when the disciples" joy would have become full. That would be after Jesus" resurrection and ascension (cf. Luke 24:50-53). The disciples would ask Him no questions then because He would be bodily absent from them. They would have to request answers to their questions from the Father in prayer (cf. Acts 1:14).
Jesus encouraged the disciples to ask the Father for whatever they needed, however. He did this by repeating His promise that the Father would grant petitions that they would offer "in Jesus" name" (cf. John 14:13-14; John 15:16).
Some commentators made much of the two different Greek words for asking in this verse. The first one that occurs, erotao, usually means to ask a question, whereas the second one, aiteo, means to ask for something. However, John often used erotao to describe asking for something ( John 4:31; John 4:40; John 4:47; John 14:16; John 16:26; John 17:9). Consequently we should probably not make too much of this difference. John frequently used synonyms with no great distinction in mind.

Context Summary

John 16:12-24 - Looking Beyond Present Sorrow
The disciples were terribly overwrought by the events of the last few days, the reversal of their cherished hopes, and the growing darkness and sorrow of the approaching cross. Their physical nature and their minds and affections could bear no more. Sorrow had filled their heart, and the Master forbore to describe in further detail the valley of shadow through which they were still to pass. A comparison of the Gospels and Epistles will indicate how much our Lord left unsaid. All this remained for the Spirit's teaching, to be communicated to the Church through the Apostles. It is thus that Christ deals with us still, apportioning our trials to our strength, our discipline to our spiritual capacity. We long to know God's secret plans for ourselves, and for those whom we love. Where does the path lead which we are treading, and which dips so swiftly and abruptly? How much longer will the fight be maintained between Truth on the scaffold and Wrong on the throne? What is the explanation of the mystery of evil, of the sorrow and agony of the world? And Jesus says: "My child, you cannot bear to know now. Trust me, I will tell you as soon as you are able to understand." The blindness and limitation of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall follow in God's own time. See Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17. [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 16:23

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]
Ye shall ask [ἐρωτήσετε]
Or, as Rev., in margin, ask - question. To question is the primary meaning of the verb, from which it runs into the more general sense of request, beseech. So Mark 7:26; Luke 4:38; John 17:15, etc. Here the meaning is, ye shall ask me no question (compare John 16:19, where the same verb is used). Compare Matthew 16:13; Matthew 21:24; John 1:19. Ask, absolutely, Luke 22:68. Note, moreover, the selection of the word here as marking the asking on familiar terms. See on John 11:22. Another verb for ask occurs in the following sentence: “If ye shall ask ( αἰτήστητε ) anything,” etc. Here the sense is, if ye shall make any request. Compare Matthew 5:42; Matthew 7:7, Matthew 7:9, Matthew 7:10, etc. Note, also, that this word for asking the Father marks the asking of an inferior from a superior, and is the word which Christ never uses of His own requests to the Father. Compare 1 John 3:22. [source]
Verily, verily []
See on John 1:51; see on John 10:1. [source]
Whatsoever ye shall ask - in my name - give []
The best texts change ὅσα ἂν , whatsoever, to ἄντ , if (ye shall ask) anything; and place in my name after give it you. So Rev. If ye shall ask anything of the Father, He will give it you in my name. Not only is the prayer offered, but the answer is given in Christ's name. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 16:23

John 19:38 Besought [ἠρωτησε]
Better, as Rev., asked. See on John 11:22; see on John 16:23. Mark adds that he went in boldly, which is suggestive in view of John's statement of his secret discipleship, a fact which is passed over by the Synoptists. [source]
John 17:9 I pray [ἐρωτῶ]
More strictly, I make request. See on John 16:23. The I is emphatic, as throughout the prayer. [source]
John 16:26 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]
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 14:14 If ye shall ask me anything in my name [εαν τι αιτησητε με εν τωι ονοματι μου]
Condition of third class with εαν — ean and first aorist active subjunctive of αιτεω — aiteō The use of με — me (me) here is supported by Aleph B 33 Vulgate Syriac Peshitta. Just this phrase does not occur elsewhere in John and seems awkward, but see John 16:23. If it is genuine, as seems likely, here is direct prayer to Jesus taught as we see it practiced by Stephen in Acts 7:59; and in Revelation 22:20. [source]
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father [καγω ερωτησω τον πατερα]
Ερωταω — Erōtaō for prayer, not question (the old use), also in John 16:23 (prayer to Jesus in same sense as αιτεω — aiteō), John 14:26 (by Jesus as here); John 17:9 (by Jesus), “make request of.” Another Comforter Another of like kind This old word (Demosthenes), from παρακαλεω — parakaleō was used for legal assistant, pleader, advocate, one who pleads another‘s cause (Josephus, Philo, in illiterate papyrus), in N.T. only in John‘s writings, though the idea of it is in Romans 8:26-34. Cf. Deissmann, Light, etcp. 336. So the Christian has Christ as his Paraclete with the Father, the Holy Spirit as the Father‘s Paraclete with us (John 14:16, John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7; 1 John 2:1). For ever This the purpose See John 4:14 for the idiom. [source]
John 15:7 Ask whatsoever ye will [ο εαν τελητε αιτησαστε]
Indefinite relative with εαν — ean and present active subjunctive of τελω — thelō to wish, to will, and aorist middle imperative of αιτεω — aiteō to ask. This astounding command and promise (γενησεται — genēsetai future middle of γινομαι — ginomai it will come to pass) is not without conditions and limitations. It involves such intimate union and harmony with Christ that nothing will be asked out of accord with the mind of Christ and so of the Father. Christ‘s name is mentioned in John 15:16; cf. John 14:13; John 16:23. [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 16:26 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]
John 17:9 I pray [εγω ερωτω]
Request, not question, as in John 16:23. Not for the world Now at this point in the prayer Christ means. In John 17:19 Jesus does pray for the world (for future believers) that it may believe (John 17:21). God loves the whole world (John 3:16). Christ died for sinners (Romans 5:8) and prayed for sinners (Luke 23:34) and intercedes for sinners (1 John 2:1.; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). For those whom A condensed and common Greek idiom for περι τουτων ους — peri toutōn hous with τουτων — toutōn (the demonstrative antecedent) omitted and the relative ους — hous attracted from the accusative ους — hous (object of δεδωκας — dedōkas) to the case (genitive) of the omitted antecedent. [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]
John 20:22 He breathed on them [ενεπυσησεν]
First aorist active indicative of εμπυσαω — emphusaō late verb, here only in N.T. though eleven times in the lxx and in the papyri. It was a symbolic art with the same word used in the lxx when God breathed the breath of life upon Adam (Gen 2:7). It occurs also in Ezek 37:9. See Christ‘s promise in John 16:23. Jesus gives the disciples a foretaste of the great pentecost. Receive ye the Holy Ghost Second aorist (ingressive) active imperative of λαμβανω — lambanō Note absence of article here (πνευμα αγιον — pneuma hagion) though το πνευμα το αγιον — to pneuma to hagion in John 14:26. No real distinction is to be observed, for Holy Spirit is treated as a proper name with or without the article. [source]
Ephesians 5:20 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ [εν ονοματι του Κυριου ημων Ιησου Χριστου]
Jesus had told the disciples to use his name in prayer (John 16:23.). [source]
1 John 3:22 Whatsoever we ask [ο εαν αιτωμεν]
Indefinite relative clause with modal αν — an and the present active subjunctive, like οτι εαν καταγινωσκηι — hoti ean kataginōskēi in 1 John 3:20. In form no limitations are placed here save that of complete fellowship with God, which means complete surrender of our will to that of God our Father. See the clear teaching of Jesus on this subject in Mark 11:24; Luke 11:9; John 14:12.; John 16:23 and his example (Mark 14:36; Matthew 26:39; Luke 22:42). The answer may not always be in the form that we expect, but it will be better. [source]

What do the individual words in John 16:23 mean?

And in that - day of Me not you will ask nothing Truly I say to you - whatever you may ask the Father He will give you in the name of Me
Καὶ ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐμὲ οὐκ ἐρωτήσετε οὐδέν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ἄν τι αἰτήσητε τὸν Πατέρα δώσει ὑμῖν» ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου»

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.
ἐμὲ  of  Me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ἐρωτήσετε  you  will  ask 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἐρωτάω  
Sense: to question.
οὐδέν  nothing 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: οὐδείς 
Sense: no one, nothing.
ἀμὴν  Truly 
Parse: Hebrew Word
Root: ἀμήν  
Sense: firm.
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.
ἄν  - 
Parse: Particle
Root: ἄν  
Sense: has no exact English equivalent, see definitions under AV.
τι  whatever 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: τὶς  
Sense: a certain, a certain one.
αἰτήσητε  you  may  ask 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: αἰτέω  
Sense: to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require.
Πατέρα  Father 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: προπάτωρ 
Sense: generator or male ancestor.
δώσει  He  will  give 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
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.