14:13a
And I will do whatever you ask in My name: The clause I will do whatever you ask means “I will do whatever you pray for.” It is not clear here if they should ask Jesus or the Father for help. However, the next verse speaks specifically about asking Jesus. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
Whatever you ask in my name I will do (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
And if you ask for anything in my name, I will do it for you. (New Century Version)
whatever: This word refers to anything that the disciples might ask for in his name. It would include the greater works that Jesus promised that they would do in 14:12b.
you: This pronoun is plural and refers to the disciples.
in My name: This phrase here means “as someone united to me” or “according to my will.” To “ask in my name” is to ask for something that Jesus might ask for, something that shows his character. It is to ask God based on one’s faith in Christ. It does not refer to saying “in Jesus’ name” at the end of the prayer. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
because you are united with me
-or-
because you trust in me
-or-
on my authority
-or-
according to my will
14:13b
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son: This clause means “so that God the Father may be glorified through what Jesus his Son does.” Jesus will glorify God by doing miracles in answer to the prayers of his followers.
so that: The connector that the Berean Standard Bible has translated as so that introduces the reason why Jesus will answer prayers.
the Father may be glorified: The phrase may be glorified refers to revealing the glory of God. People will see how glorious and wonderful God is when his Son reveals his greatness. The Son will glorify his Father by answering the prayers of his people.
The verb may be glorified is in the passive. There are at least two ways to translate it:
• Use a passive verb. For example:
so that the Father’s glory will be shown through the Son (New Century Version)
-or-
so that the glory of the Father will be seen in what I his Son will do
• Use an active verb. For example:
so that the Son can bring glory to the Father (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
This way the Son will bring honor to the Father. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
so that what I do will honor the Father
in the Son: This phrase indicates that the Father would be glorified because of what the Son did. That is because the Father was the source of what Jesus did and lived inside him (see 12:10).
The phrase the Son refers to Jesus himself, the speaker. If readers will think that Jesus spoke about someone else, it may be necessary to use the first-person pronoun, “I.” Using the pronoun “my” with “Father” should make it clear that the speaker is the Son. For example:
I may glorify my Father
See how you translated the phrase the Son at 5:19. For further information, see the note on the phrase “the Son of God” at 1:34.
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