Paragraph 16:23–24

Jesus encouraged his disciples to come freely to God and ask him in Jesus’ name for whatever they needed.

16:23a

In that day: This phrase refers to the time after the resurrection in general. It does not refer to one specific day, but to that whole time period. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

When that day comes (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
At that time (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
When that time comes (Contemporary English Version)

you will no longer ask Me anything: In this context there are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ask :

(1) It means ask a question. The disciples will not question Jesus. For example:

you won’t ask me any more questions (God’s Word)

(New International Version, Revised English Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, NET Bible, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) It means make a request. The disciples will ask the Father, not Jesus, and the Father will give them whatever they request in prayer. For example:

you will not ask me for anything (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)

The Berean Standard Bible and Revised Standard Version are ambiguous and can be understood both ways. It is good to translate this word with an expression that can include both these ideas. Both fit the context. If that is not possible, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The Greek text uses a different word for ask here than the one translated “ask” in 16:23c.

16:23b

Truly, truly, I tell you: This clause introduces a statement that Jesus wants to emphasize. See the note at John 3:3a and how you translated this clause there.

16:23c

whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you: There is a textual issue here:

(1) Some Greek texts include the phrase in My name after ask, meaning ask in my name. For example:

If you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you. (God’s Word)

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

(2) Other Greek texts place the phrase in My name after give, meaning give in my name. For example:

if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow option (1) as most English translations do. Better manuscripts follow that word order. Also, the phrase in My name is usually connected to prayer, not to giving what someone asks for.

ask: This verb here means “request in prayer” or “ask for something.”

the Father: This phrase refers to God the Father. In some languages it may be necessary to use a personal pronoun. For example:

my Father

in My name: This phrase here means “as someone united to me” or “according to my will.” It does not refer to saying the phrase “in Jesus name” at the end of a prayer. See the note at 14:13a and how you translated this phrase there.

He will give you: This clause indicates that God will answer the disciples’ prayers and give them what they ask for.

General Comment on 16:23c

In some languages it may be natural to rearrange the information in these clauses:

The Father will give you whatever you ask of him in my name. (Good News Translation)

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