Devine Scripture

John 16:26

What does John 16:26 mean?

A plain-English look at John 16:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 16:26 means

In that coming day, they will ask in Jesus’ name, and He clarifies that He is not saying He will need to persuade the Father for them. The point is not that Jesus ceases to care but that the Father Himself is eager to hear them. Their access is not a reluctant concession but a welcome. The Son’s role is essential—His name is the ground of access—but the Father’s heart is already for them. This corrects any thought that prayer in Jesus’ name twists a distant God’s arm. Rather, it expresses unity between Father and Son in loving the disciples and granting requests that align with Jesus’ mission.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

In that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

In that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

In that day you will make requests in my name: and I do not say that I will make prayer to the Father for you,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`In that day, in my name ye will make request, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father for you,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

In that day, you shall ask in my name: and I say not to you that I will ask the Father for you.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

In that day ye shall ask in my name; and I say not to you that I will demand of the Father for you,

Context

Jesus turns from the mode of teaching to the nature of prayer in the new era. He emphasizes that asking in His name does not imply the Father’s reluctance. This paves the way for the explicit assurance in the next verse: the Father Himself loves them because they have loved Jesus and believed His origin from the Father. Relationship, not mere procedure, undergirds prayer.

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.

v.26This passage

v.27for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came forth from the Father.

Cross references

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

  • Romans 8:34

    who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

  • John 17:9

    I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me; for they are thine:

  • John 14:16

    And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever,

  • John 17:24

    Father, I desire that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

  • John 17:19

    And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

  • John 16:23

    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.

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