The passage from John 16:23-28 is rich with theological significance and speaks profoundly to the assurance and intimacy Christians are to have in their relationship with God through Christ. Here is an exploration and commentary on these verses using insights from Thomas Aquinas and related theological reflections:
Jesus said to his disciples:
John 16:23-28
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.
Until now you have not asked anything in my name;
ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
“I have told you this in figures of speech.
The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures
but I will tell you clearly about the Father.
On that day you will ask in my name,
and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you.
For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me
and have come to believe that I came from God.
I came from the Father and have come into the world.
Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
In verses 23-24, Jesus speaks of a new kind of prayer and relationship with the Father, “In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” This indicates a transition from Jesus’ physical presence with His disciples to a new era where they will engage directly with the Father through the name of Jesus. This promise amplifies the power of prayer and the access believers have to God through Christ. The “name” of Jesus is not just a tag or label but represents the entirety of His nature and mission. Thus, asking in His name is to align one’s prayers with His character and purposes, assuring that such prayers are efficacious and aligned with the will of God .
Verses 25-26 underscore a shift from figurative to plain speech about the Father. This transition reflects the deeper revelation of God’s nature and will, which Jesus promises to disclose. This speaks to the progressive revelation where the mysteries of God are unfolded not through enigmatic sayings but through clear and direct communication, facilitated by the Holy Spirit after Jesus’ ascension .
Verse 27 highlights the love of the Father for the disciples, predicated on their love for Jesus and their belief in His divine origin. This verse is profound in illustrating the relational dynamics in the Trinity and among believers—the Father loves the disciples because they have loved Jesus and recognized Him as coming from God. This relational aspect emphasizes that faith and love are not merely abstract theological virtues but are deeply relational and reciprocal, impacting the divine-human relationship .
Finally, verse 28 encapsulates the mission of Jesus: coming from the Father into the world, and then leaving the world to return to the Father. This describes the full cycle of the Incarnation—Jesus’ coming into the world has a purpose fulfilled in His departure, which is to reclaim His heavenly glory and advocate for humanity in the presence of the Father. This ascension is not a departure in terms of ceasing to be with His followers but signifies His role as an intercessor who is both with us and for us at the right hand of the Father .
These passages collectively highlight the profound mystery and beauty of Christian prayer, divine love, and the ongoing presence of Christ in the life of the believer through the Holy Spirit. The theological richness of these verses invites believers into a deeper communion with God, characterized by direct access through prayer, the assurance of being loved by the Father, and the confident expectation of Jesus’ continual intercession.