John 14:13 · Bible study
John 14:13 Commentary: Asking in Jesus' Name
Greek · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore the meaning of praying in Jesus' name, the promise's conditions, and the Father's glory as the goal of answered prayer.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Prayer in Jesus' name is asking in alignment with his will and character, rooted in his authority, with the promise of answered prayer for the Father's glory.
- Key words: αἰτέω (ask), ὄνομα (name), ποιέω (do), δοξάζω (glorify), ἵνα (so that).
- Main debate: Whether the promise is a blank check for any request or conditioned on God's will and glory; commentators consistently affirm the latter.
- Theological theme: Union with Christ and the mediator role of Jesus in prayer.
- Best use: Teaching on prayer, assurance of answered prayer, and redirecting prayer toward God's glory.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and whatever ye may ask in my name, I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son;
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, this will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
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.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y todo lo que pidiereis al Padre en mi nombre, esto haré, para que el Padre sea glorificado en el Hijo.
E tudo quanto pedirdes em meu nome, eu o farei; para que o Pai seja glorificado no Filho.
et tout ce que vous demanderez en mon nom, je le ferai, afin que le Père soit glorifié dans le Fils.
Und was ihr bitten werdet in meinem Namen, das will ich tun, auf daß der Vater geehrt werde in dem Sohne.
En zo wat gij begeren zult in Mijn Naam, dat zal Ik doen; opdat de Vader in den Zoon verheerlijkt worde.
e quel che chiederete nel mio nome, lo farò; affinché il Padre sia glorificato nel Figliuolo.
A o cokolwiek prosić będziecie w imieniu mojem, to uczynię, aby był uwielbiony Ojciec w Synu.
И если чего попросите у Отца во имя Мое, то сделаю, да прославится Отец в Сыне.
你們奉 我 的名 無論 求 甚麼， 我必成就，叫 父 因 兒子 得榮耀。
And whatever request you make in my name, that I will do, so that the Father may have glory in the Son.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · John 14:13
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that “asking in my name” means praying as Christ's representative, in alignment with his character and will. Barnes illustrates this with a bank draft: using a person's name draws on their credit. Vincent cites Meyer, defining the name as “the full substance of the saving faith and confession” within which prayer moves. The Cambridge Bible notes that the phrase excludes petitions for ends other than Christ's will. Jesus' promise “I will do it” is emphatic; Gill argues this proves his deity, since Jesus claims to do it directly rather than through the Father. The ultimate purpose is the Father's glory displayed in the Son, which Calvin ties to Philippians 2:11. These commentators see the promise primarily given to the apostles for their mission, but extending to all believers who pray in faith (Barnes). The key is not the formula but the spirit of submission to God's will.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Jesus promises that prayers offered in his name, in conformity with his character and will, will be answered so that the Father is glorified in the Son.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of “in my name” | Commentators agree it means praying as Christ's representative, with his authority, in a manner consistent with his character and will. | Some emphasize objective authority (using Christ's name as a proxy), others emphasize subjective alignment (praying in the same spirit as Christ). Both are seen as complementary. |
| Scope of the promise: apostles vs. all believers | The immediate context refers to the apostles' mission, but the principle extends to all believers. | Some limit it to the apostolic era for miraculous works, while most see it as a general promise for all prayer. |
| Who answers the prayer | Jesus says “I will do it,” indicating his direct involvement. | Some see this as Jesus acting as mediator to the Father (as in John 16:23), while others see direct divine action proving his deity (Gill). |
| The purpose of answered prayer | The ultimate purpose is the Father's glory displayed in the Son (ἵνα δοξασθῇ ὁ πατὴρ ἐν τῷ υἱῷ). | No significant debate; commentators uniformly see God's glory as the intended outcome. |
Historical & Cultural Context
John 14:13 is part of the Farewell Discourse (John 14, 17), spoken on the night before Jesus' crucifixion. The disciples are troubled at the prospect of Jesus' departure. He has just told them they will do even greater works because he goes to the Father (v. 12). In Jewish culture, a person's name represented their authority, character, and presence. To act “in the name of” someone was to act with their full authority, as an ambassador or agent. Jesus promises that when they pray using his name, he will answer, meaning they act as his representatives on earth.
The immediate context is empowerment for the apostolic mission of witnessing and performing works of power. Matthew Henry notes that the disciples were concerned about their future, and Christ assures them of power both in heaven and on earth. The phrase “that the Father may be glorified in the Son” echoes earlier themes in John (11:4, 12:28, 13:31) where Jesus' works reveal the Father's glory. This is not self-glorification but the mutual glorification of Father and Son. The cultural understanding of “name” would resonate with the Jewish concept of God's name (Exodus 20:7, Deuteronomy 28:58) as representing his holy character. So praying in Jesus' name means aligning with his revealed will. The promise is not a blank check; rather, it is an assurance that God will honor requests that flow from union with Christ and are aimed at his glory. The subsequent verses (14:15, 17) link this with love for Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to pray rightly.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for John 14:13. The verse is consistent across major manuscripts and appears without notable discrepancies in the critical editions.
Reception History
John 14:13 has been foundational in Christian teaching on prayer. The early church saw it as encouraging prayer directly to Christ as the one who answers. Augustine, cited by Westcott through Vincent, taught that prayer in Christ's name must be consistent with Christ's character and aimed at salvation. The verse shaped the common practice of closing prayers “through Jesus Christ our Lord.” During the Reformation, Calvin and others emphasized the condition of God's glory, guarding against presumption. In modern times, it has been central in the prosperity gospel debate, with theologians insisting that “in my name” sets boundaries. The verse appears in hymns, liturgy, and catechisms as an assurance that God hears and answers the prayers of his people.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Significance of the Name: Asking in Jesus' name means praying in accord with his character and will. It is not a magical formula but a submission to his Lordship.
- The Promise of the Doer: Jesus himself says “I will do it,” demonstrating his divine power and personal involvement in answering prayer.
- The Purpose of the Glory: The ultimate goal is that the Father is glorified in the Son. Our prayers find their end in God's honor, not our comfort.
Five-point outline
- The Condition: Ask in my name, not just a verbal formula, but a life aligned with Christ's identity and will.
- The Assurance: “I will do it”, Jesus promises his direct action, not merely his intercession.
- The Scope: “Whatever you will ask”, but limited by the meaning of “in my name,” which excludes selfish or sinful requests.
- The Means: Through prayer, the disciples participate in Jesus' continued work on earth, even greater works than his earthly ministry.
- The End: That the Father is glorified in the Son, this is the ultimate purpose of every answered prayer.
Illustration hooks
- Using a co-signed credit card: the card bears the other person's name, and you can only use it within the agreements the account owner set.
- Being authorized to sign documents for a friend: you use their name to act on their behalf, but only for what they would approve.
- A child asking a parent for something they promised: the parent grants it because it fits the promise, not because the child said the right words.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does this mean God has to give me whatever I ask if I end my prayer “in Jesus' name”?
- What if I prayed for something in Jesus' name but it did not happen? Did I do something wrong?
- How do I know if my request is really “in Jesus' name”?
Leading a Discussion
This verse appears in Jesus' Farewell Discourse, when the disciples are anxious about his departure. Jesus promises that prayer offered in his name will be answered. The key phrase “in my name” has often been misunderstood as a guarantee for any request. This guide helps your group explore what it actually means.
Discussion questions
- Read John 14:13. What does Jesus promise? What condition does he attach to that promise?
- Based on the surrounding verses (especially 14:10, 12), what do you think “in my name” means?
- Why does Jesus say “I will do it” instead of “the Father will do it”? What does this tell us about who Jesus is?
- Look at the final clause: “that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” How does this affect the way we understand the promise? Should it shape what we pray for?
- In what ways might a prayer be offered “in Jesus' name” even if we do not say those exact words? In what ways might we say the words but not truly pray in his name?
- How does the promise in verse 13 connect to the promise of the Holy Spirit in verses 16, 17? How does the Spirit help us pray in Jesus' name?
- Think of a time you prayed earnestly. How could you tell whether that prayer was “in Jesus' name”? What difference would it make for your prayer life this week?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Matthew 7:7 | “Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. |
| Matthew 21:22 | All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” |
| Mark 11:24 | Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them. |
| Luke 11:9 | “I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you. |
| John 4:10 | Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” |
| John 4:14 | but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” |
| John 5:19 | Jesus therefore answered them, “Most certainly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father doing. For whatever things he does, these the Son also does likewise. |
| John 7:37 | Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke connects asking in Jesus' name directly to the apostles' need for power to work miracles and win converts. He sees Jesus' return to the Father as the means by which the Holy Spirit would be received and poured out on believers.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes explains that asking in Christ's name means appealing to the Father on the same basis that a son authorizes his friends to ask his father for help. God grants our requests not because we deserve them, but because He is pleased with His Son and loves us for His sake.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin stresses that Christ himself personally answers prayer as the active Mediator, not merely a channel to the Father. The Father's glory is revealed specifically through the Son, so we must never treat them as separate sources of blessing. Honoring the Son is the actual way we honor the Father.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
Asking in Christ's name does not mean merely tacking on the phrase “through Jesus Christ” at the end of a prayer. It means praying and working as His representative, with the same surrender to God’s will: “Not My will, but Thine be done.” Prayers aimed at anything else fall outside this promise.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note emphasizes that prayer offered in Christ's name is answered by Christ Himself, with the direct purpose that the Father receives glory through the Son's work. Asking in Christ's name is not a formula but a request aligned with His will and aimed at the Father's honor.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill emphasises that Jesus does not promise merely to intercede with the Father, but declares He will personally perform whatever is asked in His name. This claim points to Christ's deity and omnipotence. The Father's glory is the ultimate aim, accomplished through the Son's direct action.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB draws a precise distinction: praying in Christ's name means approaching Him as Mediator, and His promise to act rests on His position as Head and Lord of the kingdom. The two halves of the promise are grounded in these two distinct offices of Christ.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry draws attention to how this promise actually magnifies Christ's power rather than diminishing it. The apostles performed their works in Jesus' name and by faith in him, showing that his authority extends to enabling others. The "greater works" include both miracles and the conversion of sinners, which continue after his departure.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent stresses that praying in Jesus' name is not about saying the words but about having one's whole consciousness shaped by Christ's saving revelation. The name measures the believer's disposition and the content of the prayer itself. Augustine adds that such prayer must match Christ's character and aim for salvation.