John 16:24
What does John 16:24 mean?
A plain-English look at John 16:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 16:24 means
Jesus notes that, up to this point, they have not asked the Father in His name. He invites them to begin: ask and receive, so their joy may be full. This does not guarantee indulgence of every whim; it summons them to align with Jesus’ mission and trust the Father’s willingness. Fullness of joy comes as prayers, shaped by His name, meet the Father’s generous answers. This is a practical outworking of their new relationship—confidence before God because of Jesus. Their previous prayer life lacked this explicit Christ-centered appeal; now, with His death and resurrection near, He inaugurates a new pattern of communion marked by bold request and abundant provision.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be made full.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be made full.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Up to now you have made no request in my name: do so, and it will be answered, so that your hearts may be full of joy.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862till now ye did ask nothing in my name; ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Hitherto, you have not asked any thing in my name. Ask, and you shall receive; that your joy may be full.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Hitherto ye have asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Context
Building on verse 23’s promise, Jesus urges practice: they have not asked in His name—now they should. The goal is their complete joy, linking answered prayer with the joy promised in seeing Him again. The next verses expand on the shift from veiled speech to plain teaching about the Father and affirm the Father’s own love for them, grounding this new prayer access in God’s heart.
v.23And 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.
v.24This passage
v.25These things have I spoken unto you in dark sayings: the hour cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in dark sayings, but shall tell you plainly of the Father.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 John 1:3
that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you also, that ye also may have fellowship with us: yea, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ:
- John 15:11
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
- 2 Kings 19:15
And Hezekiah prayed before Jehovah, and said, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, that sittest above the cherubim, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.
- Matthew 6:9
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
- 1 Kings 18:36
And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening oblation, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, O Jehovah, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
- James 4:2
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and covet, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war; ye have not, because ye ask not.
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