King James Version

What Does John 16:23 Mean?

John 16:23 in the King James Version says “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, ...” — study this verse from John chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Context

21

A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

22

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

23

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.

24

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

25

These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. proverbs: or, parables

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And in that day ye shall ask me nothing (καὶ ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐμὲ οὐκ ἐρωτήσετε οὐδέν/kai en ekeinē tē hēmera eme ouk erōtēsete ouden)—"that day" refers to post-resurrection/Pentecost era when the Spirit illuminates truth. The verb ἐρωτάω (erōtaō) means to question, request explanation. They won't need to ask Jesus for clarification because the Spirit will teach them (John 14:26, 16:13).

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you (ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ὅτι ὅσα ἂν αἰτήσητε τὸν Πατέρα ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου δώσει ὑμῖν/amēn amēn legō hymin, hoti hosa an aitēsēte ton Patera en tō onomati mou dōsei hymin)—the double ἀμήν (amēn) emphasizes this solemn promise. Αἰτέω (aiteō) means to ask, petition, request—different verb from verse 23a.

In my name (ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου/en tō onomati mou)—not a magical formula but praying according to Christ's character, authority, and will. To pray "in Jesus's name" means praying as His representatives, seeking His purposes, aligned with His priorities. The promise δώσει (dōsei, "He will give") is categorical—but conditional on asking according to Christ's nature and redemptive mission (1 John 5:14-15).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Before Pentecost, disciples prayed Jewish prayers but didn't yet understand Christ-mediated access to the Father. Post-resurrection, everything changed. The torn temple veil (Matthew 27:51) symbolized direct access through Christ's blood (Hebrews 10:19-22). At Pentecost, the Spirit indwelt believers, enabling prayer "in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:18, Jude 20). Early church prayer meetings (Acts 1:14, 4:24-31, 12:5) demonstrated this new access—bold petitions addressed to the Father through Christ's name. Church history records countless answers to prayer offered in Jesus's name, validating this promise across cultures and centuries.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to pray 'in Jesus's name'—and how is this different from merely appending His name to requests?
  2. How does the promise that the Father 'will give' whatever we ask in Christ's name relate to prayers that seem unanswered?
  3. What role does the Spirit's illumination play in praying according to God's will and Christ's character?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
καὶ1 of 25

“And”

G2532

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

ἐν2 of 25

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἐκείνῃ3 of 25

“that”

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

τῇ4 of 25
G3588

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

ἡμέρᾳ5 of 25

“day”

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἐμὲ6 of 25

“me”

G1691

me

οὐκ7 of 25

“ye shall”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐρωτήσετε8 of 25

“ask”

G2065

to interrogate; by implication, to request

οὐδέν9 of 25

“nothing”

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

ἀμὴν10 of 25

“Verily”

G281

properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)

ἀμὴν11 of 25

“Verily”

G281

properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)

λέγω12 of 25

“I say”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ὑμῖν13 of 25

“it you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

ὅτι14 of 25
G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ὅσα15 of 25

“Whatsoever”

G3745

as (much, great, long, etc.) as

ἄν16 of 25
G302

whatsoever

αἰτήσητε17 of 25

“ye shall ask”

G154

to ask (in genitive case)

τὸν18 of 25
G3588

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

πατέρα19 of 25

“the Father”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ἐν20 of 25

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ21 of 25
G3588

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

ὀνόματί22 of 25

“name”

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

μου23 of 25

“my”

G3450

of me

δώσει24 of 25

“he will give”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

ὑμῖν25 of 25

“it you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

John 16:23 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 John 16:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 15:7John 14:13-14Matthew 21:22Isaiah 65:241 John 5:14-16Matthew 7:7

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