14:14

If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it: This verse repeats what 14:13a said. It is repeated for emphasis. In some languages it is natural to make some small difference to show that it is repeated for emphasis. For example:

Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! (New Living Translation (2004))

If you ask Me for anything in My name: This is an “if” clause that may or may not be true. People may pray in Jesus’ name, or they may not.

There is a textual issue here.

(1) Many Greek manuscripts include the pronoun Me. For example:

If you ask me for anything (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New International Version, New Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Good News Translation, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) Some Greek manuscripts do not include this pronoun. For example:

If you ask anything (Revised Standard Version)

(King James Version, Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) because the better manuscripts read that way and most English translations follow it. The UBS Handbook Committee gave this reading a B rating, which means that there is only a little doubt.

you: The pronoun you is plural and refers to the disciples.

anything: This word refers to what you might ask for in prayer. It is indefinite. Languages have many ways of expressing an indefinite idea. For example:

something
-or-
whatever
-or-
what

in My name: To ask in Jesus’ name is to pray according to Jesus’ will. See the note and how you translated this phrase in 14:13a.

I will do it: This clause means “I will do what you ask me to do.”

I: The Greek text emphasizes the word used for I. It refers to Jesus. For example:

I myself will do it.

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