John16:23

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Translation

And in that day, you will not interrogate me

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about anything. I say to you with utmost certainty, whatever you pray

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to the Father in my name,

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He will give you.

Paraphrase

On the day that you see me again and your grief is turned to joy, you will no longer bombard me with questions in order to satisfy your curiosity. Let me tell you something important: After that day you will realize that whatever you ask in prayer to the Father

according to my expressed will and purpose, He will be sure to do for you.

Footnotes

1

Many translations use the word “ask” here, and also later in the verse and that is the cause of confusion in this verse. Actually the two Greek words are different. Although there is some overlap, this one means “to interrogate” or “to bombard with questions.”

2: “whatever you pray”

This is another word for “ask” but it is closer to the idea of prayer than the first word for “ask.” It appears that in this context the idea of “pray” is indeed the desired meaning and the reason that two different words for “ask” were used.

3: “whatever pray to the Father in my name”

There are textual variants here of more than one kind, but the primary difference is that some of the early manuscripts available say “whatever pray to the Father in my name, He will give you,” while other says, whatever pray to the Father, He will give you in my name.” We either ask in Jesus’ name, or the Father grants the request in Jesus’ name. There is fairly strong textual evidence on each side. In my opinion, asking in His name is the better choice because this is how it is usually stated and it is presented as an important spiritual truth, we must not ask according to our own will, but according to the expressed will of Jesus, then we can know it will come about. There is no reason for God the Father to do something in the name of His Son Jesus, for their wills are united as one, and because the Son does the will of the Father.