💫WEB · John 14:13
What does John 14:13 mean?
"Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
— John 14:13 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father.
Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.
If you love me, keep my commandments.
I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever,—
Explanation
John 14:13 records part of Jesus' words to his disciples during the Last Supper discourse, spoken in the upper room hours before his crucifixion. In plain language, Jesus is promising that when his followers ask for something "in his name," he himself will do it, and the purpose of this is so that God the Father receives glory through the Son. This is not a blank check for any wish, but a promise tied to a specific kind of asking and a specific outcome.
The context matters greatly here. Jesus has just told his disciples he is going away to prepare a place for them (John 14:2-3) and that he is "the way, the truth, and the life" (14:6). The disciples are troubled, confused about where he is going and how they will carry on his mission without him physically present. Into this anxiety, Jesus gives assurance: even after his departure, he will continue to work through them as they pray. The phrase "in my name" is key — this was not a magic formula to be tacked onto prayers, but meant asking in accordance with who Jesus is, his character, and his mission. To pray "in Jesus' name" is to align one's requests with his purposes and authority, much like someone acting as an authorized representative asks on behalf of another.
Theologically, this verse reveals the close relationship between the Father and the Son, and the purpose behind answered prayer. Jesus states plainly that the goal is that "the Father may be glorified in the Son" — prayer answered in Jesus' name is not ultimately about the comfort or desires of the one praying, but about displaying God's glory through the Son's work. This also shows J
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