Devine Scripture

John 14:13

What does John 14:13 mean?

A plain-English look at John 14:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 14:13 means

Jesus invites bold prayer in His name, with the assurance that He will do what is asked, so that the Father is glorified in the Son. Praying in His name is not a formula but alignment with His character, purposes, and authority. The goal is God’s glory, not personal indulgence. This promise means He remains active after His ascension, answering prayer as Lord. It gives confidence for mission: as we ask in dependence on Him for what advances His will, He acts. The Son honoring the Father by answering such prayers displays the unity and love within the Godhead.

John 14:13 in context

John 14 — I Am the Way

On the night before his crucifixion Jesus comforts his disciples. He is going to prepare a place for them; he is the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by him. He promises another Comforter — the Holy Spirit — who will dwell in them and bring his words to remembrance. The peace he gives is not as the world gives. Even with the cross hours away, he turns from his own sorrow to steady theirs.

  • Heaven
  • Exclusivity of Christ
  • Holy Spirit promised
  • Christ's peace

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And whatever request you make in my name, that I will do, so that the Father may have glory in the Son.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and whatever ye may ask in my name, I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Because I go to the Father: and whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, that will I do: that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, this will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Context

This promise follows the pledge of greater works and explains their engine: prayer addressed to the Father through the Son’s name and answered by the Son. The emphasis is on the Father’s glory in the Son, keeping the focus God-centered. The next verse repeats the assurance, underlining certainty, before moving to love expressed in obedience and the gift of “another Comforter.” The flow shows that effective prayer, obedience, and the Spirit’s presence all belong together in the life of Jesus’ followers.

v.12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father.

v.13This passage

v.14If ye shall ask anything in my name, that will I do.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 15:7

    If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

  • Matthew 7:7

    Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

  • Ephesians 2:18

    for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father.

  • John 10:30

    I and the Father are one.

  • John 15:16

    Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

  • James 5:16

    Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.

Sermon ideas from John 14:13

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What John 14:13 teaches us about heaven

  • What John 14:13 teaches us about exclusivity of christ

  • What John 14:13 teaches us about holy spirit promised

  • What John 14:13 teaches us about christ's peace

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