Context and Significance

This verse falls within a discourse where Jesus comforts His disciples, reassuring them of His ongoing presence and the works they would perform. The promise of answered prayer emphasizes a relationship founded on faith, authority, and divine intention.

In examining this verse, several themes emerge:

• Prayer in Jesus' Name: The essence of asking in His name signifies alignment with His character and purpose.
• Divine Power: Jesus assures His followers that their requests will be fulfilled as a demonstration of divine capability.
• Glorification of God: The ultimate purpose of answered prayers is to glorify the Father, indicating that prayer's focus extends beyond personal gain to God's glory.

Commentary Insights

Various commentaries provide deeper insights into this verse:

• Matthew Henry: He emphasizes the necessity of seeking God's glory through prayer, asserting that the prayers of believers must align with divine will and purpose.
• Albert Barnes: Barnes highlights the assurance of Christ's help in the believer's requests, underscoring the importance of faith in the request process.
• Adam Clarke: Clarke provides a thorough analysis of "in My name," suggesting that using Jesus' name is akin to invoking His authority in requests made to God.

Related Bible Verses

Understanding John 14:13 benefits from cross-referencing other biblical texts. Here are some key verses that relate to its themes:

• John 15:16: "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give you."
• James 4:3: "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures."
• 1 John 5:14-15: "And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him."
• Matthew 21:22: "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."
• Mark 11:24: "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
• Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
• Romans 8:32: "He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?"

Thematic Connections

This verse establishes critical thematic links to broader biblical teachings about prayer and dependence on God:

• The importance of submitting requests to God, reflecting biblical humility.
• How intercessory prayer works in the context of Jesus’ ministry and His relationship with the Father.
• The consequences of praying with the wrong motives as highlighted in James 4:3.

Tools for Bible Cross-Referencing

To explore more about this verse and its connections, consider using the following tools:

• Bible concordance for locating specific terms and their occurrences.
• Cross-reference Bible study guides that categorize verses by themes and connections.
• Comprehensive Bible cross-reference materials available in study Bibles.
• Software applications designed for in-depth biblical studies and cross-referencing.

Conclusion

John 14:13 encapsulates essential truths about prayer, faith, and the glorification of God, closely linking with many biblical teachings, both Old and New Testament. This verse invites believers to engage deeply with God through prayer, ensuring their requests align with the character and will of Christ.