John 16:24 Hitherto have you asked nothing in my name

Spoken to
Apostles

After the Last Supper, after Jesus tells the apostles they will be happy when they see him again.

KJV

John 16:24 Hitherto have you asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full.

NIV

John 16:24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

LISTENERS HEARD

Until just now, you didn't request anything in this name of mine. Request and you will get for yourselves so that this joy of yours might exist having made itself complete.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

The verb "ask" here is better translated as "request" because it is requesting something not just asking a question. The "receive" verb here  has more the sense of "take." It works like our "get" meaning both "take" and "receive," but the middle voice used here adds the idea "get for yourself."   This "get for yourselves" indicates that we are given the opportunity, but we must still do our own work to get what we want out of it. This idea of getting for yourself" is emphasized by the end of the verse.

The most interesting part is the end, that is, the punchline. In English, the "be" seems simply to join the subject "joy" with the adjective, "full/complete." Jesus could have said it that simply, but he chose not to. The "adjective" here is the participle of a verb that has a very strong sense of "making" something "full" or "complete." Its form is complicated: a participle, that is either passive or middle voice, and in the past, perfect tense, an action completed in the past. So this joy "might exist having made itself complete." This fits with the "get for yourself." idea. Jesus is saying that our getting for ourselves via the opportunities we are given is has made our joy compete.

MY TAKE

The Father gives us opportunities, we must take advantage of them to be happy.

GREEK ORDER

ἕως  ἄρτι         οὐκ ᾐτήσατε       οὐδὲν   ἐν τῷ   ὀνόματί μου:
until just now  not  you request nothing in this name     of mine.

αἰτεῖτε   καὶ  λήμψεσθε,
Request and you will get for yourselves

ἵνα          χαρὰ ὑμῶν                         πεπληρωμένη.
so that this joy   of yours   might exist having made itself complete.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
8
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "hitherto" is two common words usually translated as "Until just now."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "not" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "asked" is not the word that means "ask a question" but a word that means "request."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "ask is not the word that means "ask a question" but a word that means "request."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "receive" does not capture the word form's specific meaning.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  The "full" is not an active verb but a participle, "fulfilling."
  • WV --Wrong Voice - The verb here is the passive or middle, so "being fulfilled" or "fulfilled itself."
  • WT --Wrong Tense - The participle "full" is in the past perfect, a completed action, "having fulfilled. itself"
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
8
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "now" is not the common word usually translated as "now."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "not" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "ask" is not the word that means "ask a question" but a word that means "request."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "receive" does not capture the word form's specific meaning.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "will" should be something more like "might."
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  The "complete" is not an active verb but a participle, "making complete."
  • WV --Wrong Voice - The verb here is the passive or middle, so "being made complete" or "making itself complete."
  • WT --Wrong Tense - The participle "full" is in the past perfect, a completed action, "having mad itself completely."
EACH WORD of KJV

Hitherto - -- (CW) "Hitherto" is from two Greek words meaning "until just now." The Greek word "until" means "until" but it also means "till," "while," "as long as," "in order that." This Greek word means "just" or "exactly" and "now" in the sense of "just now" when applied to time. It is not the common adverb usually translated as "now" but one that means "just now" or "as yet" implying a change in the future. In English, we say "right now."

have -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here. WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).

you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

missing "not"  -- (MW) The untranslated word "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. 

asked -- -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "asked" means "asking for" something. It might be best to translate consistently as "request" to avoid confusion with the Greek word meaning "ask a question." This word has shades of meaning from "demand" to "claim." It means to beg or even to demand something from someone else.

nothing -- The Greek adjective translated as "nothing" also means "no one," "nothing," and other negative pronouns. It is used by Jesus more like a negative pronoun than an adjective.  However, to avoid the English double-negative, we translate it as its opposite "anyone" when used with another Greek negative.

in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.  With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

my-- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine." 

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

name, -- The Greek word translated as "name" is much more complicated than it might at first appear. It can simply mean a "name" as it does in English, but it doesn't mean the things themselves, but what people call it. For example, it can mean a "false name," or "a pretense" as we say "this is a marriage in name only." It can also mean representing another person's authority, as we say, "he is acting in the name of the boss." See this article for more.

ask, -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "ask" means "asking for" something. It might be best to translate consistently as "request" to avoid confusion with the Greek word meaning "ask a question." This word has shades of meaning from "demand" to "claim." It means to beg or even to demand something from someone else.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

receive, -- (CW) The word translated as "receive" primarily means "take." However, it means "receive" in the same sense that we use "get" to mean "receive" and has many different uses as we use "get" in English. Among these are the ideas of "understanding" and "possessing." In the middle voice, as used here, it has a much stronger sense of "take," that is, "get for himself." So translating it as "receive" confuses its meanning.

that -- The word translated as "that" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause  "that," "when," "in order that" or "because." It is used as an introduction to a command, where it isn't translated. -- The word translated as "there" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," or "when."

your -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the genitive case. This pronoun follows the noun so the possessive "of yours." Here, it is the object of the previous preposition. As an object of a preposition, the genitive indicates movement away or a position away from something.

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.

joy -- "Joy" is from a word that means "joy" and "delight." More about Christ's use of emotions in this article.

may -- This helping verb "may" indicates that the verb indicates a possibility, the subjunctive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

be --  The verb "be" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.

full. -- (WF, WV, WT) "Full" is a verb that means "to fill," "to fulfill," and "to fill full." However, its has a very strong sense of "making" something "full" or "complete."  The form is not an adverb but a passive participle, "being filled." It is also the past perfect test, "having been filled."

EACH WORD of NIV

Until - -- "Hitherto" is from two Greek words meaning "until just now." The Greek word "until" means "until" but it also means "till," "while," "as long as," "in order that." This Greek word means "just" or "exactly" and "now" in the sense of "just now" when applied to time. It is not the common adverb usually translated as "now" but one that means "just now" or "as yet" implying a change in the future. In English, we say "right now."

now -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "now" means "just" or "exactly and "now" in the sense of "just now" when applied to time. It is not the common adverb usually translated as "now" but one that means "just now" or "as yet" implying a change in the future. In English, we say "right now."

you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

have -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here. WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).

not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. 

asked for -- The Greek word translated as "asked" means "asking for" something. It might be best to translate consistently as "request" to avoid confusion with the Greek word meaning "ask a question." This word has shades of meaning from "demand" to "claim." It means to beg or even to demand something from someone else. Adding the "for" makes its meaning clear.

anything -- The Greek adjective translated as "nothing" also means "no one," "nothing," and other negative pronouns. It is used by Jesus more like a negative pronoun than an adjective.  However, to avoid the English double-negative, we translate it as its opposite "anyone" when used with another Greek negative.

in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.  With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

my-- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine." 

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

name, -- The Greek word translated as "name" is much more complicated than it might at first appear. It can simply mean a "name" as it does in English, but it doesn't mean the things themselves, but what people call it. For example, it can mean a "false name," or "a pretense" as we say "this is a marriage in name only." It can also mean representing another person's authority, as we say, "he is acting in the name of the boss." See this article for more.

ask, -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "ask" means "asking for" something. It might be best to translate consistently as "request" to avoid confusion with the Greek word meaning "ask a question." This word has shades of meaning from "demand" to "claim." It means to beg or even to demand something from someone else.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

will -- This helping verb "will " indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

receive, -- (CW) The word translated as "receive" primarily means "take." However, it means "receive" in the same sense that we use "get" to mean "receive" and has many different uses as we use "get" in English. Among these are the ideas of "understanding" and "possessing." In the middle voice, as used here, it has a much stronger sense of "take," that is, "get for himself." So translating it as "receive" confuses its meaning.

and -- (WW) The word translated as "that" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause  "that," "when," "in order that" or "because." It is used as an introduction to a command, where it isn't translated. -- The word translated as "there" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," or "when."

your -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the genitive case. This pronoun follows the noun so the possessive "of yours." Here, it is the object of the previous preposition. As an object of a preposition, the genitive indicates movement away or a position away from something.

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.

joy -- "Joy" is from a word that means "joy" and "delight." More about Christ's use of emotions in this article.

will -- (WW) The helping verb here should be either "should" or "might" because it comes from the subjunctive form of the verb. This is not the future tense.

be --  The verb "be" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions. The "be" is not a helping verb, which is what it looks like here. It is active verb, so "exists" might be better.

complete. -- (WF, WV, WT) "Full" is a verb that means "to fill," "to fulfill," and "to fill full." However, its has a very strong sense of "making" something "full" or "complete."  It also means "made complete" The form is not an adverb but a passive participle, "making it complete." It is also the past perfect test, "having made it complete."

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

ἕως [63 verses](conj) "Hitherto" is heos which means "until," "till," "while," "as long as," and "in order that" and "up to the point that."-

ἄρτι [13 verses](adv) "Hitherto" is arti, which means "just," "exactly," and "just now."

οὐκ [440 verses](conj) Untranslated is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences.  The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.

ᾐτήσατε [28 verses](2nd pl aor ind act) "Have you asked"  is from aiteo, which means "to ask for," "to request," "to demand," "to beg of," "to postulate or assume [in logic]," "to claim," and "to ask for one's own use." In passive, "to be asked" and "to have a thing begged from one."

οὐδὲν [69 verses](adj sg neut nom /acc) "Nothing" is oudeis which means "no one," "not one," "nothing," "naught," "good for naught," and "no matter."

ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during,"  and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during." 

τῷ [821 verses](article sg neut dat)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").  -

ὀνόματί [47 verses](noun sg neut dat) "Name" is onoma, which means "name." It means both the reputation of "fame," and "a name and nothing else," as opposed to a real person. Acting in someone's name means to act on their behalf, as their representative.

μου [239 verses](adj sg masc gen) "Me" is from mou (emou), which means "me," and "mine." As a genitive object means movement away from something or a position away from something else.

αἰτεῖτε [28 verses](2nd pl pres imperat act) "Ask" is from aiteo, which means "to ask for," "to request," "to demand," "to beg of," "to postulate or assume [in logic]," "to claim," and "to ask for one's own use." In passive, "to be asked" and "to have a thing begged from one."

καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

λήμψεσθε, {λήψεσθε}[54 verse](2nd fut mid inc) "You shall receive" is lambano means to "take," "take hold of," "grasp," "seize," "catch," "overtake," "find out," "detect," "take as,"  in Logic, "assume," "take for granted," "understand," "undertake," "take in," "hold," "get," "receive [things]," "receive hospitably," "receive in marriage," "receive as produce," "profit," "admit," "initiate," "take hold of," "lay hold on," "seize and keep hold of," "obtain possession of," "lay hands upon," "find fault with," "censure," "to apprehend with the senses," and "to take hold of." It is also specifically used to mean "seized with emotion." In the middle voice, has a much stronger sense of "take," that is, "get for himself." What is taken is in the genitive.

ἵνα [134 verses](adv/conj) "That" is hina, which means "in that place," "there," "where," "when,"  but when beginning a phrase "so that," "in order that," "when," and "because."

[821 verses](article sg fem nom)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").  -

χαρὰ [14verses](noun sg fem nom) "Joy" is chara, which means "joy" and "delight."

ὑμῶν [168 verses](pron 2nd pl gen) "Your/you" is humon, the plural possessive form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you." It is either a possessive pronoun or the object of a preposition.

.[614 verses](verb 3rd sg pres subj act ) "May be" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen,"  and "is possible." With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It can also mean "must" with a dative.

πεπληρωμένη. [21 verses](part sg perf mp fem nom) "Full" is pleroo, which mean "to fill," "to fulfill," "to make complete," "to pay in full," "to make pregnant," and "to fill full."

Possible Symbolic Meaning
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