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 16:23KJV
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John 16:23 (KJV)

What does John 16:23 mean?

John 16:23 says that a time is coming when Jesus’ followers will not need to ask Him questions, but instead, whatever they ask the Father in Jesus’ name, the Father will give to them. This verse points to a new kind of relationship with God, where direct access to the Father is made possible through Jesus.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to His disciples shortly before His arrest and crucifixion. He is preparing them for a time after His resurrection when they will pray directly to God the Father, using Jesus’ name as their basis for approaching Him. The verse highlights a shift from relying on Jesus’ physical presence for answers to having a direct line to God through prayer.

The Greek behind John 16:23

  • “Ask” (ἐρωτάω, erōtaō and αἰτέω, aiteō): Two different Greek words for “ask” appear in this verse. The first (“ye shall ask me nothing”) is ἐρωτάω (erōtaō), which often means to question or inquire. The second (“ye shall ask the Father”) is αἰτέω (aiteō), which means to request or petition. This shows a shift from asking questions of Jesus to making requests of God.
  • “In my name” (ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου, en tō onomati mou): This phrase means approaching the Father based on who Jesus is and what He has done, not just using His name as a formula. It emphasizes a relationship and authority given through Jesus.

Why John 16:23 matters

  • John 16:23 clarifies that after Jesus’ resurrection, believers do not need to go through intermediaries but can pray directly to God the Father, relying on Jesus’ relationship with Him.
  • The verse highlights a change in how followers of Jesus relate to God, moving from dependence on Jesus’ physical presence to spiritual access through prayer.
  • Understanding the difference between asking questions (ἐρωτάω, erōtaō) and making requests (αἰτέω, aiteō) helps clarify that Jesus is promising more than just answers—He is promising access and provision from the Father.

Where else these words appear

“ask” Greek G2065 · used in 57 verses

  • Matthew 15:23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
  • Luke 22:68 And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.
  • John 16:30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

“ask” Greek G154 · used in 68 verses

  • Matthew 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
  • Mark 15:8 And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.
  • Acts 3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

“me” Greek G1691 · used in 77 verses

  • Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
  • John 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
  • John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

“Whatsoever” Greek G3745 · used in 104 verses

  • Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
  • Luke 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
  • Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.