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Joh 16:23. Ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ, in that day) This expression is also applied to prayer in Joh 16:26, which is the subject presently after treated of in this verse.-οὐκ ἐρωτήσετε) ye shall not ask questions, viz. ye shall not ask them under the influence of sorrow, as in Joh 16:6, but from joy.[366] A foretaste of this αὐταρκεία, and satisfied acquiescence [mental tranquility, as having within all needful knowledge] follows presently in Joh 16:30. Ye will not have occasion to ask or solicit Me for answers: ye shall clearly perceive all things. Comp. Joh 16:19; Joh 16:25; ch. Joh 21:12, “None of the disciples durst ask Him, Who art Thou? knowing that it was the Lord.” The reality itself will be ready to your hand. Ye will apply to the Father Himself.-οὐδὲν, nothing) as to these subjects. They questioned Him about “the time of the restoration of the kingdom to Israel” in Act 1:6.-ἀμὴν, ἀμὴν, verily, verily) Once and again He had somewhat touched upon the subject of prayer, declaring that they who would pray in the name of Jesus, should experimentally know the unity of the Father and the Son, ch. Joh 14:13,“Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son;” and that whoever would “abide in Christ and bear fruit,” whatsoever they would ask,” they should receive, ch. Joh 15:7; Joh 15:16. Now He treats of prayer in pursuance, of His design (in a more formal and systematic way than before).-ὅσα ἂν, whatsoever things) We have afforded to us a carte blanche, as Spener expresses it.-αἰτήσητε, ye shall have asked [prayed for]) even as regards those things, about which ye now desire, ἐρωτᾷν, to ask Me questions. Praying is a something more evident, and as it were more palpable than faith; therefore Jesus in instructing His disciples in regard to prayer, leads them on thereby to faith.-τὸν Πατέρα, the Father) This answers to ἐμὲ, Me, in the beginning of this verse. Jesus instructs His disciples, that having laid aside their yearnings for the visible presence of Jesus, they should approach the Father (avail themselves of their access to the Father).-δώσει, He will give it) I will do it, He had said in ch. Joh 14:13-14, where He was speaking of their recognising the Father as being in the Son: now when speaking of the love of the Father, viz. towards believers, He saith, He will give it.
[366] The Engl. Vers. confounds the sense and the distinction between ἐρωτάω and αἰτέω in this verse. There is no contrast drawn between asking the Son which shall cease, and asking the Father which shall begin; but the first half of the ver. promises one blessing-viz. that they shall have no longer need to question Him (ἐρωτᾶν); ver. 19, for by the Spirit they shall know all these things. The second half of the ver. promises a distinct blessing-viz. the granting of all that they ask (αἰτεῖν) the Father in the Son’s name. Note, that πυνθάνομαι cannot be exchanged with ἐρωτάω. Πυνθάνομαι has a reflexive sense, and therefore is in the Middle; to have inquiry made, to inquire for one’s information; percontari. Ἐρωτᾶν. interrogare, to ask questions. See Trench and Tittm. Syn. N. T.-E. and T.