John 14:14

KJV

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it].

KJV (with Strong's)

If {G1437} ye shall ask {G154} any thing {G5100} in {G1722} my {G3450} name {G3686}, I {G1473} will do {G4160} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

If you ask me for something in my name, I will do it.

Berean Standard Bible

If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.

American Standard Version

If ye shall ask anything in my name, that will I do.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 14:14 presents a profound promise from Jesus to His disciples, assuring them of the efficacy of prayer when offered in alignment with His character, authority, and redemptive purpose. Spoken during His intimate Farewell Discourse, this verse establishes a direct link between the believer's petition, the powerful invocation of Christ's name, and Jesus' personal commitment to act, thereby empowering His followers to continue His work and glorify the Father in His absence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Jesus' Farewell Discourse in [John chapters 13-17](/john/13 "John 13 - The Last Supper and Jesus Washes Feet"), delivered to His disciples in the Upper Room on the eve of His crucifixion. He comforts them with promises of a future dwelling place ([John 14:1-3](/john/14-1-3 "John 14:1-3 - Jesus Comforts His Disciples")), reveals His unique relationship with the Father ([John 14:6-11](/john/14-6-11 "John 14:6-11 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), and promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Helper ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16-17 "John 14:16-17 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")). The immediate preceding verse, [John 14:13](/john/14-13 "John 14:13 - Glorifying the Father through Answered Prayer"), articulates a similar promise regarding answered prayer for the purpose of glorifying the Father, with [John 14:14](/john/14-14 "John 14:14 - Asking in Jesus' Name") reinforcing and expanding upon this concept by explicitly stating Jesus' personal agency in fulfilling such requests.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem during Passover week, a time of intense religious fervor and political tension. Jesus' discourse takes place in a private upper room, away from the public eye, emphasizing the intimate and confidential nature of His teaching to His closest followers. In Jewish culture, a "name" (Hebrew: *shem*) was not merely a label but represented the essence, character, and reputation of a person. To act "in the name of" someone meant to act as their authorized representative, with their full backing and power. This concept is crucial for understanding Jesus' instruction here, as it goes far beyond a magical incantation, instead pointing to a deep identification with His person and purpose. The disciples, accustomed to the authority vested in prophets and religious leaders, would have understood the profound implications of Jesus granting them such access to His own divine authority.
* **Key Themes:** This passage significantly contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. The theme of **Divine Authority and Power** is central, as Jesus asserts His ability to act on behalf of those who pray in His name, demonstrating His co-equality with the Father and His ongoing active role in the lives of believers even after His ascension. The **Efficacy of Prayer** is highlighted, presenting prayer not as a passive plea but as a powerful means by which believers participate in God's redemptive work. Furthermore, the theme of **Abiding in Christ** is implicitly present, as effective prayer "in His name" necessitates a deep spiritual union and alignment with His will, a concept Jesus elaborates on later in [John 15:7-8](/john/15-7-8 "John 15:7-8 - Abiding and Bearing Fruit"). Finally, the promise reinforces the theme of **Jesus' Continued Presence and Provision** for His disciples, assuring them that His departure would not leave them powerless or disconnected from divine help.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **ask (Greek, _aitéō'_):** G154. This verb signifies a request made by an inferior to a superior, implying a respectful and dependent posture. It is a general term for asking, begging, or craving, but in this context, it takes on the nuance of a petition directed to a divine authority. It highlights the believer's reliance on Jesus and the recognition of His power to grant the request.
* **in (Greek, _en'_):** G1722. This preposition denotes a fixed position, state, or instrumentality. When used with "name" (ónoma), it signifies more than just proximity; it implies acting *by means of* or *in the sphere of* Jesus' authority. It's not merely saying "in Jesus' name" but operating *within* the realm of His character, will, and power.
* **name (Greek, _ónoma'_):** G3686. In biblical thought, a "name" encapsulates the entire essence, character, authority, and reputation of a person. To ask "in my name" means to ask as Jesus' authorized representative, in alignment with His character, for His purposes, and with His full backing. It is an appeal to His very identity and power, not a formulaic incantation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If ye shall ask any thing":** This clause establishes the condition for the promise. It suggests a broad scope ("any thing"), but this breadth is immediately qualified by the subsequent phrase. The "if" (G1437, *eán*) introduces a real condition, implying that such asking is possible and expected, setting the stage for the powerful promise that follows.
* **"in my name":** This is the crucial qualifier that defines the nature and scope of the "asking." As explored in the key word analysis, it means asking by Jesus' authority, in accordance with His character, and for the advancement of His kingdom purposes. It implies a deep alignment of the petitioner's will with Christ's will, ensuring that the request is not self-serving but God-glorying.
* **"I will do [it].":** This is Jesus' direct and emphatic promise. The "I" (G1473, *egṓ*) is emphatic in the Greek, underscoring Jesus' personal agency and divine authority. He is not merely a mediator but the active agent who will perform the requested action. The verb "do" (G4160, *poiéō*) is broad, encompassing making, performing, or bringing about, indicating Jesus' comprehensive power to fulfill the petition. This promise underscores His faithfulness and commitment to His followers.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs a **Conditional Clause** ("If... I will do...") which sets up a clear cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting the prerequisite for divine action. The emphatic use of the first-person pronoun "I" in "I will do [it]" functions as a powerful declaration of **Divine Authority** and personal agency, underscoring Jesus' unique power and commitment to His disciples. Furthermore, the phrase "in my name" serves as a form of **Metonymy**, where the "name" stands for the entire person, character, and authority of Jesus. It is not merely a verbal formula but a symbolic representation of alignment with Christ's will and purpose, making the request a participation in His ongoing redemptive work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 14:14 stands as a cornerstone for understanding the nature and power of Christian prayer. It reveals that prayer is not simply a human act of petition but a divinely ordained means of participating in God's ongoing work in the world. The efficacy of prayer is intrinsically linked to the authority and character of Jesus Christ. To pray "in His name" is to pray as His authorized representative, aligning one's desires with His perfect will and redemptive purposes. This promise underscores the profound intimacy and access believers have to the Father through the Son, demonstrating Jesus' continued active role as the one who mediates and fulfills the petitions of His people, thereby bringing glory to God. It transforms prayer from a mere request into a powerful act of partnership with the divine.

* [John 15:7](/john/15-7 "John 15:7 - Abiding in Christ and Answered Prayer")
* [John 16:23-24](/john/16-23-24 "John 16:23-24 - Asking the Father in Jesus' Name")
* [1 John 5:14-15](/1_john/5-14-15 "1 John 5:14-15 - Confidence in Prayer According to God's Will")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This profound promise from Jesus invites believers into a deeper, more confident, and more purposeful prayer life. It challenges us to move beyond self-centered requests to a posture of seeking God's will and glory above all else. When we pray "in Jesus' name," we are not merely appending a phrase to our petitions; we are consciously aligning our hearts, motives, and desires with His. This means asking for things that honor Him, advance His kingdom, bring healing, spread the Gospel, and demonstrate His love and power in the world. Such prayer becomes a powerful vehicle for spiritual transformation, both in the one praying and in the circumstances prayed for. It reminds us that our access to God's power is not based on our merit, but on Christ's authority and His faithful commitment to His own.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it truly mean for me to pray "in Jesus' name" in my daily life?**
* **How might aligning my prayers with Jesus' character and purpose change what I ask for?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to trust Jesus more fully to "do it" when I ask in His name?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper understanding of Jesus' will to inform my prayers?**

### FAQ
**What does "asking in Jesus' name" truly mean, beyond just saying the words?**

Answer: "Asking in Jesus' name" is far more than a verbal formula; it signifies asking by His authority, in alignment with His character, and for the advancement of His purposes. In biblical culture, a person's "name" represented their entire being, reputation, and power. Therefore, to pray in Jesus' name means to pray as His authorized representative, with His full backing, seeking what He Himself would desire. It implies that the petitioner's will is so intertwined with Christ's that the request genuinely reflects His heart and mission. This concept is further illuminated in [John 15:7](/john/15-7 "John 15:7 - Abiding and Bearing Fruit"), where Jesus links effective prayer to abiding in Him and His words abiding in us, ensuring that our requests are consistent with His nature.

**Does this promise mean God will grant any request I make, as long as I say "in Jesus' name"?**

Answer: No, this promise does not guarantee that every personal desire will be granted simply by adding "in Jesus' name." The condition "in my name" is a significant qualifier. It implies that the request must be consistent with Jesus' character, will, and redemptive plan. God is not a cosmic vending machine. As [1 John 5:14-15](/1_john/5-14-15 "1 John 5:14-15 - Confidence in Prayer According to God's Will") clarifies, our confidence in prayer comes from asking "according to his will." Therefore, while the scope of "any thing" is broad, it is always circumscribed by the divine will and purpose of Christ. Unanswered prayers often stem from requests that are outside of God's perfect will or are motivated by selfish desires, as noted in [James 4:3](/james/4-3 "James 4:3 - Asking with Wrong Motives").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 14:14 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself being the sole mediator and the very foundation of all effective prayer. His promise to "do it" underscores His divine authority and active intercession on behalf of His people. It is through His finished work on the cross, His resurrection, and His ascension that believers gain access to the Father. Jesus is not merely a conduit for prayer but the one who empowers it, validates it, and ultimately fulfills it. As our great High Priest, He ever lives to make intercession for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Our High Priest")). When we pray "in His name," we are leveraging the full weight of His perfect obedience, His atoning sacrifice, and His present reign at the right hand of God ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")). The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Helper")), guides our prayers, aligning our hearts with Christ's, ensuring that our petitions are truly "in His name." Thus, every answered prayer is a testament to Christ's ongoing Lordship, His faithfulness, and His commitment to glorifying the Father through His redeemed people.

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.