John 16.26
Posted: May 25th, 2025, 11:29 am
Hello B-Greek friends.
I have a question concerning John 16.26:
“ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου αἰτήσεσθε, καὶ οὐ λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐγὼ ἐρωτήσω τὸν πατέρα περὶ ὑμῶν·”
I would like to know what the sense of the middle voice is in “αἰτήσεσθε”.
In Gianfranco Nolli’s Italian translation, it says it means that the subject performs an action for himself, to his own advantage. What would that mean in this context?
In the context of what follows (“καὶ οὐ λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐγὼ ἐρωτήσω τὸν πατέρα περὶ ὑμῶν·”), is there any chance that it contains the idea that the disciples will be able to take the initiative themselves to ask, that in a sense they will be able to ask on their own authority? (I take “ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου” to mean in communion with Christ’s spirit or essence, so that would not be incompatible with their taking the initiative.)
While we’re at it, a quick question on “καὶ οὐ λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐγὼ ἐρωτήσω τὸν πατέρα περὶ ὑμῶν·”. Is the presence of “ἐγὼ” emphatic?
Thank you for any clarifications you can give me,
Thomas Hagen
I have a question concerning John 16.26:
“ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου αἰτήσεσθε, καὶ οὐ λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐγὼ ἐρωτήσω τὸν πατέρα περὶ ὑμῶν·”
I would like to know what the sense of the middle voice is in “αἰτήσεσθε”.
In Gianfranco Nolli’s Italian translation, it says it means that the subject performs an action for himself, to his own advantage. What would that mean in this context?
In the context of what follows (“καὶ οὐ λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐγὼ ἐρωτήσω τὸν πατέρα περὶ ὑμῶν·”), is there any chance that it contains the idea that the disciples will be able to take the initiative themselves to ask, that in a sense they will be able to ask on their own authority? (I take “ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου” to mean in communion with Christ’s spirit or essence, so that would not be incompatible with their taking the initiative.)
While we’re at it, a quick question on “καὶ οὐ λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐγὼ ἐρωτήσω τὸν πατέρα περὶ ὑμῶν·”. Is the presence of “ἐγὼ” emphatic?
Thank you for any clarifications you can give me,
Thomas Hagen