When that day comes is literally “and in that day.” The same phrase appears again in verse 26 (see also 14.20).

There is a question regarding the interpretation of the verb rendered ask … for in Good News Translation. Revised Standard Version, New English Bible, and Barclay take it with the same meaning that Good News Translation does; but others Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, New American Bible, Jerusalem Bible, Moffatt, Goodspeed, Phillips, La Sainte Bible: Nouvelle version Segond révisée, Zürcher Bibel, Luther) take it to mean “ask a question.” The problem of interpretation is made more complex by the fact that two different verbs meaning “to ask” are used in this verse. The one under discussion (Greek erōtaō) originally meant “to ask a question,” while the second (Greek aiteō) originally meant “to ask for something.” But the verb erōtaō is also sometimes used in Greek literature with the meaning “to ask for something,” and John himself elsewhere uses it with that meaning (see 4.31,40,47; 14.16; 16.26b; 17.20). The question here is: does John use both verbs with the meaning “to ask for something,” or does he use the first verb with the meaning “to ask a question?” The answer depends upon whether verse 23a goes with what precedes or with what follows. If it goes with what precedes, the meaning of the first verb will be “to ask questions”; but if it goes with what follows (23b-24), the meaning will be “to ask for something.” Although John does use this verb elsewhere in the sense of “to ask for something,” in the context of chapter 16 it is definitely used three times with the meaning “to ask a question” (see 16.5,19,30). Then, too, in the present context the disciples have not asked Jesus for anything, and he is apparently drawing a contrast between “now” (the time of his ministry) and “that day.” On the basis of this observation, the meaning seems to be that after Jesus leaves, the disciples will no longer have to ask him any questions, because the Holy Spirit will be able to guide them into full truth. Moreover, the solemn words I tell you the truth signal a change in subject matter between 23a and 23b, and so support this interpretation. If these conclusions are correct, the verb here means “to ask questions,” and relates to what precedes (16.22). Then verses 23b-24 pick up a new subject, that of asking the Father for something in Jesus’ name.

Good News Translation inverts the last clause in verse 23, which literally reads “whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.” As the Good News Translation alternative rendering in the footnote points out, the placing of the phrase in my name poses a problem. In some Greek manuscripts it goes easily with the verb ask (Good News Translation, New English Bible, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Barclay), while in others it goes only with the verb give (New American Bible, Moffatt, Jerusalem Bible, Phillips, Goodspeed, Revised Standard Version, Zürcher Bibel, Luther). There is stronger textual support for placing the phrase with the verb ask. Also, the context is one of prayer, which the Gospel writer elsewhere connects with the name of Jesus (14.13,14; 16.16,24,26). On the basis of these observations, the UBS Committee on the Greek text favors placing the phrase in connection with the verb ask. However, it rates its choice a “C” decision, indicating considerable doubt whether the text or the apparatus contains the better reading.

In favor of the reading which places in my name with the verb give is the fact that this reading is the more difficult one. It is not likely that a scribe would move this phrase from a position where it goes easily with the verb ask to a position where it might be taken with the verb give, since nowhere else in John or in the New Testament is anything “given” in Jesus’ name.

For a discussion of the phrase in my name, see 14.13. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, which connects the phrase with the verb ask, renders “the Father will give you all that you ask if you will call on me.” However, Goodspeed, who connects it with the verb give translates “whatever you ask the Father for, he will give you as my followers.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .