Devine Scripture

John 16:23

What does John 16:23 mean?

A plain-English look at John 16:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 16:23 means

“In that day”—after His resurrection and the coming of the Spirit—the disciples will not need to bombard Jesus with questions. Instead, they will ask the Father in Jesus’ name, and He will give. This marks a new era of access, founded on Jesus’ finished work and mediated by His name—His person and merit. Their relationship to God will mature: from confusion to clarity, from dependence on Jesus’ physical presence to confidence in prayer to the Father through Him. The promise encourages bold petition and reassures them that the Father is not distant. The burden shifts from interrogation to supplication, with the assurance of divine generosity for kingdom needs.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And on that day you will put no questions to me. Truly I say to you, Whatever request you make to the Father, he will give it to you in my name.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And in that day you shall not ask me any thing. Amen, amen, I say to you: if you ask the Father any thing in my name, he will give it you.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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.

Context

This verse follows the promise of unstealable joy by introducing a new privilege tied to the same period: prayer in Jesus’ name. It signals a shift from the disciples’ pre-cross questions to post-resurrection asking. The next verse notes they have not yet practiced this, urging them to begin so their joy may be full. The flow connects seeing the risen Christ, gaining joy, and living in trusting communion with the Father.

v.22And ye therefore now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one taketh away from you.

v.23This passage

v.24Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be made full.

Cross references

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

  • Hebrews 4:14

    Having then a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

  • Ephesians 2:18

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

  • John 14:22

    Judas (not Iscariot) saith unto him, Lord, what is come to pass that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

  • 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:

  • John 14:20

    In that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

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