Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Hitherto {G2193}{G737} have ye asked {G154} nothing {G3756}{G3762} in {G1722} my {G3450} name {G3686}: ask {G154}, and {G2532} ye shall receive {G2983}, that {G2443} your {G5216} joy {G5479} may be {G5600} full {G4137}.
Till now you haven’t asked for anything in my name. Keep asking, and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be made full.
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Matthew 7:7
¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: -
Matthew 7:8
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. -
James 4:2
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. -
James 4:3
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts. -
John 15:11
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and [that] your joy might be full. -
2 Thessalonians 2:16
¶ Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given [us] everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, -
2 Thessalonians 2:17
Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
John 16:24 (KJV)
"Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
Commentary
This verse is part of Jesus' final discourse to his disciples before his crucifixion. He is preparing them for his departure and explaining how their relationship with God will change. Previously, they had asked things directly of Jesus during his earthly ministry ("Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name"). Now, as he prepares to return to the Father, he introduces a new way of prayer.
The core message is a powerful promise about prayer. Jesus instructs them to "ask" and assures them they "shall receive." The crucial element is asking "in my name." This phrase is more than just a verbal tag added to a prayer. It signifies praying with Jesus' authority, character, and will in mind. It means approaching the Father as representatives of Jesus, in union with Him, and seeking things that are in accordance with His purposes and glory.
The purpose of this new way of praying and receiving is "that your joy may be full." Answered prayer, particularly prayer offered in alignment with Christ's will and received from the Father, brings complete and abundant joy. It demonstrates the reality of their relationship with God through Jesus and the effectiveness of the access He provides.
Linguistically, the word translated "asked" here is aiteo (αἰτέω), which typically implies asking for something from a superior, often for oneself. This contrasts with erotao (ἐρωτάω), which Jesus often uses when asking the Father, implying asking an equal or close associate. The disciples are now instructed to "aiteo" (ask) the Father, but *in Jesus' name*, emphasizing that their access and ability to ask are granted by Jesus' position and authority. The word "full" (pleroo - πληρόω) means filled up, completed, or made abundant.
This verse encourages believers today to pray confidently, not based on their own merit, but on the authority and relationship they have through Jesus Christ. Praying "in His name" means praying in submission to His will and for the advancement of His kingdom, trusting that the Father delights to give good gifts to those who ask according to His Son's purpose.
See also John 14:13, John 15:16, Matthew 7:7.