John 14:13

My Notes

What Does John 14:13 Mean?

John 14:13 is one of Jesus' most sweeping prayer promises: "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." The scope is breathtaking — whatsoever. The condition is specific — in my name. The purpose is clear — that the Father may be glorified.

The Greek en tō onomati mou — "in my name" — doesn't mean appending "in Jesus' name" as a closing formula to your prayers. It means praying from within the authority, character, and purposes of Jesus. To ask in someone's name is to act as their representative — to make requests consistent with who they are and what they want. A diplomat who speaks "in the name of the president" can't say whatever they like. They speak within the bounds of the one they represent.

"That will I do" — ego poiēsō. Jesus doesn't say the Father will do it. He says I will do it. The Son is the active agent answering prayer. And the purpose — "that the Father may be glorified in the Son" — reveals the telos of answered prayer. It's not your comfort. It's the Father's glory. Prayers asked in Jesus' name, consistent with His character, for the Father's glory — those prayers activate the full power of the Son.

Reflection Questions

• 1.Do you pray as a consumer (asking for what you want) or as an ambassador (asking for what Jesus would authorize)? What's the difference in practice?
• 2.What does it actually mean to pray 'in Jesus' name' beyond the closing formula? How does that reshape your requests?
• 3.If the purpose of answered prayer is the Father's glory, how does that filter what you ask for?
• 4.Jesus says 'I will do it' — He's the active agent. Does that change how you think about who's answering your prayers?

Devotional

Whatsoever. That word should stop you. Not some things. Not reasonable things. Not the things you've pre-approved as theologically safe to request. Whatsoever.

But the condition keeps it from becoming a blank check: in my name. Which means the request has to be something Jesus would authorize. Something consistent with His character, His priorities, His purposes. You're not a freelancer making independent demands. You're an ambassador making requests on behalf of the King. And ambassadors who stay within their authority get anything they need.

That's actually more liberating than a blank check. A blank check is only as good as the account balance. But praying in Jesus' name means the backing isn't your faith level or your spiritual maturity. It's His name. His authority. His identity. You're making withdrawals from His account, not yours. And His account has no limit.

The purpose clause changes everything: "that the Father may be glorified in the Son." When your prayer is aimed at God's glory — when what you're asking for would make the Father look magnificent — the full weight of Jesus' authority is behind your request. The prayers that don't get answered aren't necessarily prayers God can't fulfill. They may be prayers that wouldn't glorify the Father. And Jesus only signs off on what glorifies His Father.

Ask big. Ask boldly. But ask as a representative, not a consumer. The name you carry determines the authority you wield — and the name of Jesus carries all authority in heaven and on earth.

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture