John 14:14

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

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(14) If ye shall ask any thing in my name.—This is an emphatic repetition of the width of the promise and of its condition. In the second clause of the verse the pronoun “I” bears the stress. “I (on My part) will do it.” In the parallel passage in John 15:16; John 16:23 the Father is thought of as answering the prayer. The passage from one thought to the other is possible because the Father and Son are thought of as one.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

14:12-17 Whatever we ask in Christ's name, that shall be for our good, and suitable to our state, he shall give it to us. To ask in Christ's name, is to plead his merit and intercession, and to depend upon that plea. The gift of the Spirit is a fruit of Christ's mediation, bought by his merit, and received by his intercession. The word used here, signifies an advocate, counsellor, monitor, and comforter. He would abide with the disciples to the end of time; his gifts and graces would encourage their hearts. The expressions used here and elsewhere, plainly denote a person, and the office itself includes all the Divine perfections. The gift of the Holy Ghost is bestowed upon the disciples of Christ, and not on the world. This is the favour God bears to his chosen. As the source of holiness and happiness, the Holy Spirit will abide with every believer for ever.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Whatsoever ye shall ask - This promise referred particularly to the apostles in their work of spreading the gospel; it is, however, true of all Christians, if what they ask is in faith, and according to the will of God, James 1:6; 1 John 5:14.

In my name - This is equivalent to saying on my account, or for my sake. If a man who has money in a bank authorizes us to draw it, we are said to do it in his name. If a son authorizes us to apply to his father for aid because we are his friends, we do it in the name of the son, and the favor will be bestowed on us from the regard which the parent has to his son, and through him to all his friends. So we are permitted to apply to God in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, because God is in him well pleased Matthew 3:17, and because we are the friends of his Son he answers our requests. Though we are undeserving, yet he loves us on account of his Son, and because he sees in us his image. No privilege is greater than that of approaching God in the name of his Son; no blessings of salvation can be conferred on any who do not come in his name.

That will I do - Being exalted, he will be possessed of all power in heaven and earth Matthew 28:18, and he therefore could fulfill all their desires.

That the Father may be glorified in the Son - See the notes at John 13:31.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13, 14. whatsoever ye … ask in my name—as Mediator.

that will I do—as Head and Lord of the kingdom of God. This comprehensive promise is emphatically repeated in Joh 14:14.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

The words are doubled for the further confirmation of them, that we might not doubt when we put up our petitions to God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, according to the will of God.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

If ye shall ask anything,.... These words are much, the same with the former, and have been thought, by some, to have crept into the text from the margin; though they seem rather to be repeated by Christ, the more to strengthen and confirm the faith of his disciples in this matter; that whatsoever they asked

in my name, either calling upon it, he being equally the object of prayer with the Father, or making mention of it, pleading the merits of his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice; whatever was according to the will of God, was for his glory, and their real good, he would do it for them, as well when absent from them, as present with them.

Geneva Study Bible

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

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Meyer's NT Commentary

John 14:14. Τὸ αὐτὸ λέγει βεβαιῶν μάλιστα τὸν λόγον, Euth. Zigabenus. But this is done to make it specially prominent that He is the active subject. Bengel well remarks: “ἐγώ hoc jam indicat gloriam.”

Expositor's Greek Testament

John 14:14. In John 14:14 the promise is repeated, as Euthymius says, for confirmation: τὸ αὐτὸ λέγει βεβαιῶν μάλιστα τὸν λόγον. Perhaps, too, additional significance is given to His agency by introducing ἐγώ. Cf. Bengel and Meyer.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

14. I will do it] ‘I’ is emphatic. In both verses the prayer is regarded as addressed to the Father, but granted by the Son, who is one with the Father. But the most ancient authorities here add ‘Me;’ if ye shall ask Me anything. In John 15:16 and John 16:23 with equal truth the Father grants the prayer; but in John 15:16 the Greek may mean either ‘He may give’ or ‘I may give.’

Bengel's Gnomen

John 14:14. Ἐγὼ, I) This already points to the glory referred to in John 14:13, “That the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 14. - If ye shall ask me anything in my Name, etc., is, omitting the ἵνα clause of the former utterance, a solemn repetition of the promise. The only condition being "in my Name." "Our Lord Christ foresaw that this article would go hard with human reason, and that it would be much assailed by the devil." "What ye ask," says he, "I will do. I am God, who may do and give all things." The peculiarity of the R.T. lays, indeed, special emphasis on Christ's own power and willingness to receive and answer prayer. John 14:14

Vincent's Word Studies

If ye shall ask anything

Some authorities insert me. So Rev. This implies prayer to Christ.