John 16:26

At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

At {G1722} that {G1565} day {G2250} ye shall ask {G154} in {G1722} my {G3450} name {G3686}: and {G2532} I say {G3004} not {G3756} unto you {G5213}, that {G3754} I {G1473} will pray {G2065} the Father {G3962} for {G4012} you {G5216}:

When that day comes, you will ask in my name. I am not telling you that I will pray to the Father on your behalf,

In that day you will ask in My name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.

In that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you;

John 16:26 is part of Jesus' profound Farewell Discourse, delivered to His disciples shortly before His crucifixion. In this verse, Jesus continues to prepare them for His physical departure and the new spiritual reality that will follow.

Context

This verse is nestled within a section where Jesus is revealing deep truths about the coming age, often referred to as "that day" (which refers to the post-resurrection, post-Pentecost era when the Holy Spirit would empower believers). He has just promised that whatever the disciples ask the Father in His name, they will receive (John 16:23, John 16:24). The disciples' relationship with God is about to undergo a significant transformation, moving from indirect access through Jesus' physical presence to direct access through His spiritual authority.

Key Themes

  • Direct Access to the Father: The primary message is the unprecedented privilege believers will have to approach God the Father directly. Unlike the Old Covenant where access was mediated by priests and sacrifices, the New Covenant, established through Christ's work, grants direct access.
  • Prayer in Jesus' Name: To "ask in my name" means more than simply attaching "in Jesus' name" to the end of a prayer. It signifies praying by His authority, consistent with His character, aligned with His will, and for His glory. It implies a deep identification with Christ and His purposes. This theme is echoed in other parts of Jesus' discourse, such as John 14:13 and John 15:16.
  • Christ's Intercession Clarified: The phrase "I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you" might seem contradictory to other scriptures that speak of Jesus' ongoing intercession (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25). However, it emphasizes the *new level of intimacy* and directness. It doesn't mean Jesus won't intercede, but rather that the disciples' prayers will be so perfectly aligned with the Father's will, by virtue of their union with Christ, that they won't need Jesus to "relay" their requests as an intermediary in the way they might have previously conceived. Their prayers are now heard directly by the Father because they are offered in the Son's authority.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "in my name" translates the Greek en tō onomati mou (ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου). In biblical thought, a person's "name" often represents their entire character, authority, and essence. Therefore, praying "in Jesus' name" is not a magical formula, but an act of prayer that aligns with who Jesus is, what He has accomplished, and what He desires. It signifies praying with His authorization and according to His nature, making the request effective before the Father.

Practical Application

This verse offers immense encouragement and power to believers. It underscores the profound privilege of direct, unhindered access to God through Jesus Christ. It empowers us to pray with confidence, knowing that our requests, when made in alignment with Christ's will and character, are heard directly by the Father. It reminds us that our prayers are not dependent on Jesus' *physical* presence to be conveyed, but on His *spiritual* authority and our union with Him, facilitated by the Holy Spirit, who grants us access to the Father.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Romans 8:34

    Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

  • John 17:19

    And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

  • John 17:9

    I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

  • John 17:24

    Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

  • John 16:23

    And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give [it] you.

  • John 14:16

    And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back