John 16:24

24 Till now ye asked nothing in my name; ask ye, and ye shall take, that your joy be full.

John 16:24 Meaning and Commentary

John 16:24

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name
Not that they had never prayed as yet; for they had desired him to teach them to pray, which he did: they had prayed to him particularly for an increase of faith, and for many other things; but either they had only asked him, he being present with them, and not the Father; or if they had asked the Father anything, yet not in the name of Christ: they had made no mention of his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, nor any use of his mediation; things they had not as yet such clear knowledge of; or they had not asked as yet any extraordinary thing, as they afterwards did; see ( Acts 4:29 Acts 4:30 ) ;

ask, and ye shall receive;
that is, in my name, and whatever ye ask for, ye shall have it, to fit you for your work, to carry you through it, and to give you success in it: see ( Matthew 7:7 ) ;

that your joy may be full;
go cheerfully through your work, find much pleasure in it, and with great satisfaction see the Gospel spread, souls converted, Satan's kingdom weakened, and the interest of your Redeemer thrive and flourish; than which nothing can more contribute to complete the joy of the ministers of Christ.

John 16:24 In-Context

22 And therefore ye have now sorrow, but again I shall see you, and your heart shall have joy, and no man shall take from you your joy.
23 And in that day ye shall not ask me any thing; truly, truly, I say to you, if ye ask the Father any thing in my name, he shall give [it] to you.
24 Till now ye asked nothing in my name; ask ye, and ye shall take, that your joy be full.
25 I have spoken to you these things in proverbs; the hour cometh, when now I shall not speak to you in proverbs, but openly of my Father I shall tell to you [I shall tell you].
26 In that day ye shall ask in my name; and I say not to you, that I shall pray the Father for you;
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.