Saint John 16:23

[Tannhauser]

How are we to understand this? Jesus tells us that anything we ask for will be given us…

Is this literal? How far does this go? It seems like it could be open to abuse (a car; a holiday; a new swimming pool).

How should we appreciate Christ’s word here?

Thank-you.

 

[RosaryFan]

How are we to understand this? Jesus tells us that anything we ask for will be given us…

Is this literal? How far does this go? It seems like it could be open to abuse (a car; a holiday; a new swimming pool).

How should we appreciate Christ’s word here?

Thank-you.

Keep in mind I’m no theologian, but I’ll do my best.

If you read further down the text (John 16:30), it says, “30 Now we know that you know all things, and need none to question you; by this we believe that you came from God.”

I take this to mean that if you ask for something TRULY in Christ’s name, and out of a desire to be Christ-like and with the intention of being with Christ in heaven, then anything we ask for will be given to us. You see the condition in this passage (if you read past verse 23) is asking for things in Christ’s name. You can’t ask for a car in Christ’s name because doing anything unholy in Christ’s name cannot truly be in Christ’s name. That would be hypocritical. And if there’s anything we can learn from the Bible, it’s that Jesus is not happy with hypocrites!

In other words, God answers all prayers for the good of your salvation. If you ask for a fish, he will not give you a snake, and if you ask for a snake, he’s still not going to give you a snake - he’ll give you a fish!

 

[DavidFilmer]

Or, read up a bit. The OP has only posted half the verse. The entire verse reads:

On that day, you will have no questions to ask me. I give you my assurance, whatever you ask the Father, he will give you in my name.

The subject and timeframe for this promise are both very specific - and (in context) it clearly applies to the Apostles on Judgment day.

Sorry, brother, it does not apply to you at all (nor to me). Jesus was speaking to the Apostles, not to us.

 

[ryanoneil]

Or, read up a bit. The OP has only posted half the verse. The entire verse reads:

The subject and timeframe for this promise are both very specific - and (in context) it clearly applies to the Apostles on Judgment day.

Sorry, brother, it does not apply to you at all (nor to me). Jesus was speaking to the Apostles, not to us.

I thought the time frame and context was when they see Jesus risen, and then after he Ascends and they are waiting for him to return in glory. In otherwords, they are not to question and interrogate him when they see him risen, but they may petition the Father for their needs.

CCC 2614 When Jesus openly entrusts to his disciples the mystery of prayer to the Father, he reveals to them what their prayer and ours must be, once he has returned to the Father in his glorified humanity. What is new is to “ask in his name.” Faith in the Son introduces the disciples into the knowledge of the Father, because Jesus is “the way, and the truth, and the life.” Faith bears its fruit in love: it means keeping the word and the commandments of Jesus, it means abiding with him in the Father who, in him, so loves us that he abides with us. In this new covenant the certitude that our petitions will be heard is founded on the prayer of Jesus.

CCC 2615 Even more, what the Father gives us when our prayer is united with that of Jesus is “another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth.” This new dimension of prayer and of its circumstances is displayed throughout the farewell discourse. In the Holy Spirit, Christian prayer is a communion of love with the Father, not only through Christ but also in him: “Hitherto you have asked nothing in my name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”