John 11:22

KJV

But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give [it] thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} I know {G1492}, that even {G2532} now {G3568}, whatsoever {G3754}{G3745}{G302} thou wilt ask {G154} of God {G2316}, God {G2316} will give {G1325} it thee {G4671}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.”

Berean Standard Bible

But even now I know that God will give You whatever You ask of Him.”

American Standard Version

And even now I know that, whatsoever thou shalt ask of God, God will give thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 11:22 captures Martha's profound declaration of faith in Jesus, even in the depths of her grief over Lazarus's death. Despite her initial lament that Jesus's delay led to her brother's demise, she immediately pivots to affirm her unwavering conviction in Jesus's unique and powerful relationship with God. Her statement, "But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee," reveals a deep understanding of Jesus's divine authority and His unparalleled access to the Father's will and power, setting the stage for the miraculous demonstration of His identity as the Resurrection and the Life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the dramatic narrative of Lazarus's death and resurrection in [John 11](/john/11 "John 11 - The Raising of Lazarus"). Martha's statement immediately follows her heartbroken greeting to Jesus in [John 11:21](/john/11-21 "John 11:21 - Martha's Lament"), where she expresses a common human lament: "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." This initial expression of grief and implied reproach highlights the perceived failure of Jesus to arrive in time. However, [John 11:22](/john/11-22 "John 11:22 - Martha's Statement of Faith") serves as a crucial transition, demonstrating Martha's remarkable pivot from lament to a profound, unwavering faith in Jesus's ongoing power and divine favor, even in the face of death. Her words anticipate Jesus's subsequent revelation of Himself as "the resurrection and the life" in [John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"), preparing the reader for the astonishing miracle that is about to unfold.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish culture, death was a profoundly significant event, often accompanied by intense public mourning, typically lasting seven days, with the first three days being particularly critical as it was believed the soul lingered near the body. By the fourth day, as in Lazarus's case, decomposition would have begun, signifying the finality of death and making resurrection seem utterly impossible. The Jewish understanding of resurrection was primarily eschatological, believing in a general resurrection at the end of time, as Martha herself articulates in [John 11:24](/john/11-24 "John 11:24 - Martha's Belief in the Last Day Resurrection"). Martha's statement in [John 11:22](/john/11-22 "John 11:22 - Martha's Faith in Jesus's Power") is therefore extraordinary because it transcends this common eschatological hope, expressing a belief in Jesus's immediate and present power to influence God, even over death, a concept not widely held for an individual in her time.
* **Key Themes:** Martha's declaration in [John 11:22](/john/11-22 "John 11:22 - Martha's Faith") contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Faith Amidst Adversity**, demonstrating that genuine faith can exist even in the deepest sorrow and when circumstances seem hopeless. Secondly, it highlights **Jesus's Divine Authority and Unique Relationship with the Father**, reinforcing the Johannine emphasis on Jesus's oneness with God, as seen in passages like [John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - Jesus and the Father are One") and [John 14:13-14](/john/14-13-14 "John 14:13-14 - Asking in Jesus's Name"). Martha's conviction that "whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee" is a testament to this unparalleled connection. Thirdly, the verse subtly introduces the **Power of Intercessory Prayer** through Christ, foreshadowing the New Testament teaching that believers can approach God confidently through Jesus, our great High Priest ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")). Finally, it speaks to **Divine Sovereignty and Timing**, as Martha's faith, though perhaps not fully comprehending the *how*, trusts in God's ultimate power to act, even when His timing seems delayed from a human perspective.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **know (Greek, _eídō'_):** This verb, often used in the perfect tense, signifies a settled, experiential knowledge rather than a mere intellectual understanding. Martha's declaration "I know" indicates a deep, personal conviction rooted in her past interactions with and observations of Jesus. It's not a hopeful guess but a confident assertion of what she understands about Jesus's relationship with God.
* **ask (Greek, _aitéō'_):** This word refers to a general request, begging, or craving. It implies a direct petition from one person to another, or from a person to God. In Martha's context, it highlights the nature of Jesus's interaction with the Father – a direct and effective request, not a mere suggestion or wish. It underscores the power and authority inherent in Jesus's prayers.
* **give (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** This versatile verb means to bestow, grant, or deliver. Its broad application here emphasizes that God is not merely considering Jesus's request but will actively and certainly grant it. It speaks to the Father's willingness and readiness to respond affirmatively to the Son's petitions, reinforcing the unique bond and shared purpose between them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I know,"**: This phrase immediately follows Martha's lament in [John 11:21](/john/11-21 "John 11:21 - Martha's Lament"), indicating a sharp contrast or pivot. The "but" (Greek, _allá'_) signals a shift from her grief-stricken complaint to a statement of profound, unwavering faith. Her "I know" (Greek, _eídō'_) conveys a deep, settled conviction, not a hopeful wish, but a certainty based on her understanding of Jesus's identity and power.
* **"that even now,"**: The phrase "even now" (Greek, _kaí nŷn'_) is crucial. It signifies that despite the seemingly irreversible situation – Lazarus having been dead for four days and buried – Martha believes Jesus's power is not diminished by time or circumstance. Her faith is not limited to what Jesus *could have* done, but extends to what He *can* do in the present, dire moment. This "even now" hints at a belief in immediate, miraculous intervention.
* **"whatsoever thou wilt ask of God,"**: This clause expresses the boundless nature of Martha's faith in Jesus's intercessory power. The word "whatsoever" (Greek, _hóti hósos án'_) implies an unlimited scope, suggesting that there is no request too great or impossible for Jesus to make of God. It highlights her recognition of Jesus's unique and privileged position with the Father, where His requests are always honored.
* **"God will give it thee."**: This final clause articulates Martha's absolute certainty in the Father's affirmative response to Jesus's requests. It underscores the perfect unity and cooperation between Jesus and God the Father. The "it" is supplied in the KJV for clarity, referring to whatever Jesus asks. This statement is a powerful affirmation of Jesus's divine authority and the Father's unwavering commitment to His Son's will.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Contrast** is immediately evident, as Martha's statement of faith in [John 11:22](/john/11-22 "John 11:22 - Martha's Faith") sharply contrasts with her lament in the preceding verse ([John 11:21](/john/11-21 "John 11:21 - Martha's Lament")), highlighting the dynamic interplay between human grief and divine power. The phrase "whatsoever thou wilt ask" can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the boundless nature of Jesus's access to God's power, even though the specific request for Lazarus's resurrection is not yet explicitly stated by Martha. There is also a subtle **Foreshadowing** in Martha's words, as her belief in Jesus's ability to ask anything of God implicitly anticipates the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus that is about to occur, revealing Jesus's identity as "the resurrection and the life." Finally, the repetition of "God" (Greek, _theós'_) within the short verse emphasizes the divine source of power and the intimate relationship between Jesus and the Father.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Martha's declaration in [John 11:22](/john/11-22 "John 11:22 - Martha's Faith") stands as a profound theological statement about Jesus's unique identity and His unparalleled relationship with God the Father. It affirms Jesus's divine authority and His intimate access to the Father's will and power, even in the face of death. This is not merely a belief in Jesus as a powerful prophet, but as one whose petitions to God are inherently granted, signaling His co-equality and unity with the Father. Her faith, though perhaps not yet fully comprehending the "I AM" statement that follows, points directly to Jesus as the mediator of divine power and the ultimate source of life. This verse serves as a crucial bridge, moving the narrative from human despair to the revelation of divine glory through Jesus's action.

* [John 14:13-14](/john/14-13-14 "John 14:13-14 - Asking in Jesus's Name")
* [1 John 5:14-15](/1_john/5-14-15 "1 John 5:14-15 - Confidence in Prayer")
* [Matthew 21:22](/matthew/21-22 "Matthew 21:22 - Faith and Prayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Martha's statement in [John 11:22](/john/11-22 "John 11:22 - Martha's Faith") offers a powerful model for believers navigating their own seasons of grief, doubt, or seemingly insurmountable challenges. Her faith is not naive; it acknowledges the pain ("if you had been here...") but refuses to let that pain define the limits of God's power through Jesus. She demonstrates that even when our circumstances scream "impossible," our conviction in Jesus's unique relationship with the Father should remain steadfast. We are called to cultivate a similar "even now" faith, trusting that Jesus's power is not constrained by our human timelines or the apparent finality of our situations. This verse encourages us to bring our deepest needs and most desperate prayers to Jesus, confident that He has unparalleled access to the Father and that God delights to answer prayers that align with His perfect will, especially those offered through His beloved Son. Our hope is not in our ability to ask, but in Jesus's ability to intercede.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you need to move from lament ("if only...") to an "even now" faith in Jesus's power?**
* **How does Martha's confidence in Jesus's relationship with the Father inform your own approach to prayer and intercession?**
* **What does it mean practically to believe that "whatsoever [Jesus] wilt ask of God, God will give it thee" in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**Did Martha expect Jesus to raise Lazarus from the dead when she said this?**

Answer: While Martha's statement in [John 11:22](/john/11-22 "John 11:22 - Martha's Faith") expresses an extraordinary level of faith in Jesus's power and His unique access to God, it's not explicitly clear that she was expecting Lazarus's immediate resurrection at that very moment. Her words, "whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee," are broad and encompass any request. When Jesus later speaks of Lazarus rising, Martha initially interprets it in the traditional Jewish sense of a general resurrection at the last day ([John 11:24](/john/11-24 "John 11:24 - Martha's Belief in the Last Day Resurrection")). This suggests that while she believed Jesus could accomplish anything, the specific miracle of raising a four-day-dead man was perhaps beyond her immediate conceptualization, even with her profound faith. Her faith was in Jesus's *power to ask*, rather than a specific expectation of *this particular outcome*. Nevertheless, her statement laid the groundwork for Jesus to reveal Himself as "the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")) and perform the miracle.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Martha's profound declaration in [John 11:22](/john/11-22 "John 11:22 - Martha's Faith"), though spoken before the cross and resurrection, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus's role as our Great High Priest and perpetual Intercessor. Her belief that "whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee" foreshadows the New Testament revelation that Jesus, having accomplished our redemption, now sits at the right hand of God, continually interceding for His people ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession") and [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Lives to Intercede")). Martha's faith in Jesus's unique access to the Father is fully realized in the resurrected Christ, who, by virtue of His completed work, has opened the way for believers to approach God's throne of grace with confidence ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")). Her statement points to the truth that all divine blessings flow through Christ, and that the Father delights to grant the requests of His Son, which now include the prayers of His redeemed people offered in His name ([John 14:13-14](/john/14-13-14 "John 14:13-14 - Asking in Jesus's Name")). Thus, Martha's faith in Jesus's power to ask and receive from God becomes the foundation for our own confidence in prayer, knowing that our requests are presented by the One whom the Father always hears.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 9:31

Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

John 11:41

Then they took away the stone [from the place] where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up [his] eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

John 11:42

And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said [it], that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

Mark 9:23

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth.

Matthew 28:18

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Hebrews 11:17

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten [son],

Hebrews 11:19

Accounting that God [was] able to raise [him] up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.