King James Version

What Does 1 John 5:15 Mean?

1 John 5:15 in the King James Version says “And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

1 John 5:15 · KJV

Context

13

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

14

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: in: or, concerning him

15

And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

16

If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

17

All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

Read 1 John 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. This verse builds logically on verse 14, moving from confidence that God hears to assurance that He grants our requests. The structure is conditional but assumes the condition is met: "if we know that he hear us" presumes we do know (based on praying according to His will, v. 14). The verb "know" (oidamen) indicates settled, certain knowledge—not mere hope or wishful thinking.

The conclusion follows necessarily: "we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." The repetition of "know" emphasizes certainty. Present tense "we have" (echomen) indicates present possession, not future hope. This is stunning: prayers prayed according to God's will are answered so certainly that we can consider them already granted. The phrase "the petitions that we desired" (ta aitēmata ha ētēkamen) uses perfect tense—requests we have made with continuing effects.

This isn't prosperity gospel or name-it-claim-it theology. The key is verse 14's qualifier: prayers according to God's will. When we pray aligned with Scripture's promises and God's revealed purposes, we have absolute certainty of answer—not because our faith manipulates God, but because we're asking for what He's already purposed to give. This shifts prayer from trying to change God's mind to aligning with His will. The assurance comes not from our faith's strength but from God's faithfulness to His promises.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This teaching provided crucial assurance to early Christians facing persecution. When praying for deliverance, protection, or provision, they could have confidence that God heard and would answer according to His perfect will—even if the answer was martyrdom rather than escape. Church history records countless examples of believers facing death with supernatural peace, certain their prayers for faithfulness were answered even as they died.

The verse also addresses the problem of unanswered prayer that has troubled believers throughout history. James 4:3 explains that prayers motivated by selfish desires aren't answered. This passage provides the positive complement: prayers according to God's will are certainly answered. This doesn't mean we always perceive the answer immediately or understand it fully, but God's faithfulness guarantees response.

Throughout church history, this principle has grounded intercessory prayer. Missionaries prayed for unreached people groups, certain God heard and would fulfill His purposes of gathering His elect from every nation. Reformers prayed for church renewal, confident God would answer according to His sovereign purposes. Parents prayed for children's salvation, trusting God's promises. The certainty wasn't based on seeing immediate results but on God's faithfulness to His word.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can we have present possession of petitions not yet visibly answered?
  2. What role does faith play in claiming answers to prayer before seeing them?
  3. How do we avoid presumption when claiming certainty that God will answer our prayers?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 18 words
καὶ1 of 18

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐὰν2 of 18

“if”

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

οἴδαμεν3 of 18

“we know”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ὅτι4 of 18

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἀκούει5 of 18

“he hear”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

ἡμῶν6 of 18

“us”

G2257

of (or from) us

ἃ7 of 18

“whatsoever”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἂν8 of 18
G302

whatsoever

ᾐτήκαμεν9 of 18

“that we desired”

G154

to ask (in genitive case)

οἴδαμεν10 of 18

“we know”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ὅτι11 of 18

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἔχομεν12 of 18

“we have”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

τὰ13 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

αἰτήματα14 of 18

“the petitions”

G155

a thing asked or (abstractly) an asking

ἃ15 of 18

“whatsoever”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ᾐτήκαμεν16 of 18

“that we desired”

G154

to ask (in genitive case)

παρ'17 of 18

“of”

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

αὐτοῦ18 of 18

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 John 5:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 John 5:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 11:9-10Mark 11:24Proverbs 15:291 John 5:18-20

Test Your Knowledge

1 John 5 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 John Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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