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John: Asking for anything and everything
by RS  admin@creationpie.org : 1024 x 640


1. John: Asking for anything and everything
Have you heard about the worldwide global pandemic that is everywhere? That sentence contains a lot of redundant words. It is overly repetitive.

The idea here is "anything" and "everything".
The Greek words forming the word "pandemic" means an "epidemic" that is "everywhere", as in "worldwide".

Information sign More: Everything and all things: But wait, there's more

2. John: Asking for anything and everything
Verse routeJohn 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι ο τι αν αιτησητε εν τω ονοματι μου τουτο ποιησω ινα δοξασθη ο πατηρ εν τω υιω [gnt]

Have you ever heard someone, before a prayer, say the following, or something like the following?
As seen on TV
Is this accurate? Whatever! Let us investigate.

3. Whatever
Verse routeJohn 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι ο τι αν αιτησητε εν τω ονοματι μου τουτο ποιησω ινα δοξασθη ο πατηρ εν τω υιω [gnt]



There is a saying:

When a woman says, "Do whatever you want.", do not do whatever you want.

This appears to always get a laugh. This type of answer is less than theologically satisfying in terms of the Bible.

4. Isaiah 7:10-11 Isaiah and Ahaz
Verse routeIsaiah 7:10 Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, [kjv]
Verse route7:11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. [kjv]
Verse routeαιτησαι σεαυτω σημειον παρα κυριου θεου σου εις βαθος η εις υψος [lxx]

Sun Dial
Isaiah has a message for King Ahaz and refers to both "depth" and "height". Ahaz does not want to use this opportunity.

The "sign" can be in the "depth" or the "height" - the two extremes. This "sign" is somewhat like a "wish" that can be granted.
The the "sign" or "wish" needs to be in the "depth" or the "height above" and not a meta-wish or wish about a wish (as in "I wish I could have three more wishes"). The "sign" is a change in 10 steps or degrees of the sun, whatever that means. A change of 5 degrees in today's sun dials would amount to adding 5 days a year making the years before about 360 days rather than 365 days.

Information sign More: Sundials and the long day of Hezekiah

5. Isaiah 7:10

   Isaiah 7:10 
 All 
KJV: Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,
Hebrew: ויוסף יהוה דבר אל אחז לאמר׃
Greek: και προσεθετο κυριος λαλησαι τω αχαζ λεγων

6. Isaiah 7:11

   Isaiah 7:11 
 All 
KJV: Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
Hebrew: שאל לך אות מעם יהוה אלהיך העמק שאלה או הגבה למעלה׃
Greek: αιτησαι σεαυτω σημειον παρα κυριου θεου σου εις βαθος η εις υψος

7. Prayers and wishes
Verse routeMatthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι παντα οσα αν αιτησητε εν τη προσευχη πιστευοντες λημψεσθε [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "προσεύχομαι""pray, vow, request" as in a request as a wish and comes from two Greek words. A double-meaning here is that it can refer to the common idea of a "prayer" but also to a request or bid for something as a "good wish".

The idea of a "prayer bead" or "prayer prayer" goes back to the English word "bid" as in a request or "prayer". The actual "bead" is a reminder of a needed "bid" or "prayer".


Information sign More: Prayer beads, Beade, and year dates
Information sign More: Luke 18:1-8 Parable of the unjust judge

8. Meta-wishes
Verse routeRomans 1:10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. [kjv]
Verse routeπαντοτε επι των προσευχων μου δεομενος ει πως ηδη ποτε ευοδωθησομαι εν τω θεληματι του θεου ελθειν προς υμας [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "προσεύχομαι""pray, vow, request" as in a request or wish comes from two Greek words.
A meta-wish is a wish about a wish. A genie usually forbids meta-wishes such as "I wish I had three more wishes" as this ruins the story.


Information sign More: Have you ever met a prefix like this?

9. Romans 1:10

   Romans 1:10 
 All 
KJV: Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
Greek: παντοτε επι των προσευχων μου δεομενος ειπως ει πως ηδη ποτε ευοδωθησομαι εν τω θεληματι του θεου ελθειν προς υμας

10. John 14:13 What's the ask
Verse routeJohn 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι ο τι αν αιτησητε εν τω ονοματι μου τουτο ποιησω ινα δοξασθη ο πατηρ εν τω υιω [gnt]

What is "the ask"? Here are some related words. Here are some related Greek words. Greek sayings: (ancient and modern)

11. John 14:13 Anything
Verse routeJohn 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι ο τι αν αιτησητε εν τω ονοματι μου τουτο ποιησω ινα δοξασθη ο πατηρ εν τω υιω [gnt]

Can I really ask for "anything" in the name of Jesus? The list goes on and on, but you get the idea. What the KJV (King James Version) conveys does not appear to be based in reality.

The six verses that appear to provide this guarantee of "anything" contain the words for "ask" and "name" and are found only in John chapters 14, 15 and 16.

Saying: There is no such thing as a stupid question. Can I ask a question?

12. Meta-questions
Question markCan I ask a question? You just asked a question.

A meta-question is a question about questions.
Did you mean, can I ask another question? The first question was a meta-question.

When a new cadet (in the first year) at West Point needed to ask an upper-class cadet a question, one needed to say (before 1976 when women were admitted) "Sir, may I ask a question?".
Some upper-class cadets would respond, "You just did ask a question.". The new cadet was required to ask (that upper-class cadet) "Sir, may I ask another question?".

A meta-problem is a problem about problems. Are some people a problem about being a problem?

By continuation, a meta-ask is asking about an "ask" or a request about a request as a meta-request. This idea may be important as we shall see.

Information sign More: Have you ever met a prefix like this?

13. Words
Verse routeJohn 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι ο τι αν αιτησητε εν τω ονοματι μου τουτο ποιησω ινα δοξασθη ο πατηρ εν τω υιω [gnt]

The word combination "ο τι αν" appears 3 times in John and is central to this discussion. In the GNT (Greek New Testament) these words are often translated "whatever", "whatsoever", etc., but literally mean "that what if" or "what if" or just "what". The modern Greek words "ο τι αν" (o tee an) ≈ "what if".

14. Luke and Colossians
Verse routeLuke 10:35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι επι την αυριον εκβαλων δυο δηναρια εδωκεν τω πανδοχει και ειπεν επιμεληθητι αυτου και ο τι αν προσδαπανησης εγω εν τω επανερχεσθαι με αποδωσω σοι [gnt]

Verse routeColossians 3:17 And what soever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι παν ο τι εαν ποιητε εν λογω η εν εργω παντα εν ονοματι κυριου ιησου ευχαριστουντες τω θεω πατρι δι αυτου [gnt]

The second "do" is inferred.

15. Luke 10:35
   Luke 10:35 
 All 
KJV: And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Greek: και επι την αυριον εξελθων εκβαλων δυο δηναρια εδωκεν τω πανδοχει και ειπεν αυτω επιμεληθητι αυτου και ο τι αν προσδαπανησης εγω εν τω επανερχεσθαι με αποδωσω σοι

16. Colossians 3:17
 All 
KJV: And what soever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Greek: και παν ο τι αν εαν ποιητε εν λογω η εν εργω παντα εν ονοματι κυριου ιησου ευχαριστουντες τω θεω και πατρι δι αυτου

17. John Wedding at Cana
Verse routeJohn 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. [kjv]
Verse routeλεγει η μητηρ αυτου τοις διακονοις ο τι αν λεγη υμιν ποιησατε [gnt]

This word is used at Cana where the mother of Jesus says about not having wine. The Greek here is more than English "do" but more as in "make" or "create". This same word for "make" is used before the "whatsoever" in the "name" verses.

18. John 2:5
   John 2:5 
 All 
KJV: His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
Greek: λεγει η μητηρ αυτου τοις διακονοις ο τι αν λεγη υμιν ποιησατε

19. John Whatever
Verse routeJohn 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. [kjv]
Verse routeλεγει η μητηρ αυτου τοις διακονοις ο τι αν λεγη υμιν ποιησατε [gnt]

Verse route14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. [kjv]
Verse routeαμην αμην λεγω υμιν ο πιστευων εις εμε τα εργα α εγω ποιω κακεινος ποιησει και μειζονα τουτων ποιησει οτι εγω προς τον πατερα πορευομαι [gnt]

Verse route14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι ο τι αν αιτησητε εν τω ονοματι μου τουτο ποιησω ινα δοξασθη ο πατηρ εν τω υιω [gnt]

Verse route14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. [kjv]
Verse routeεαν τι αιτησητε με με εν τω ονοματι μου τουτο ποιησω [gnt]


20. John 14:12
   John 14:12 
 All 
KJV: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Greek: αμην αμην λεγω υμιν ο πιστευων εις εμε τα εργα α εγω ποιω κακεινος ποιησει και μειζονα τουτων ποιησει οτι εγω προς τον πατερα μου πορευομαι

21. John 14:13
   John 14:13 
 All 
KJV: And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Greek: και ο τι αν αιτησητε εν τω ονοματι μου τουτο ποιησω ινα δοξασθη ο πατηρ εν τω υιω

22. John 14:14
   John 14:14 
 All 
KJV: If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Greek: εαν τι αιτησητεμε με εν τω ονοματι μου εγω τουτο ποιησω

23. John 15:14-16 Friends
Verse routeJohn 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. [kjv]
Verse routeυμεις φιλοι μου εστε εαν ποιητε ο εγω εντελλομαι υμιν [gnt]
Verse route15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. [kjv]
Verse routeουκετι λεγω υμας δουλους οτι ο δουλος ουκ οιδεν τι ποιει αυτου ο κυριος υμας δε ειρηκα φιλους οτι παντα α ηκουσα παρα του πατρος μου εγνωρισα υμιν [gnt]
Verse route15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. [kjv]
Verse routeουχ υμεις με εξελεξασθε αλλ εγω εξελεξαμην υμας και εθηκα υμας ινα υμεις υπαγητε και καρπον φερητε και ο καρπος υμων μενη ινα ο τι αν αιτησητε τον πατερα εν τω ονοματι μου δω υμιν [gnt]

Can the "ordained" be considered a form of "asking"? Jesus as the Christ and Messiah addresses his disciples as "now friends".

24. John 15:14
   John 15:14 
 All 
KJV: Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Greek: υμεις φιλοι μου εστε εαν ποιητε οσα ο εγω εντελλομαι υμιν

25. John 15:15
   John 15:15 
 All 
KJV: Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Greek: ουκετι υμας λεγω υμας δουλους οτι ο δουλος ουκ οιδεν τι ποιει αυτου ο κυριος υμας δε ειρηκα φιλους οτι παντα α ηκουσα παρα του πατρος μου εγνωρισα υμιν

26. John 15:16
   John 15:16 
 All 
KJV: Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Greek: ουχ υμεις με εξελεξασθε αλλ εγω εξελεξαμην υμας και εθηκα υμας ινα υμεις υπαγητε και καρπον φερητε και ο καρπος υμων μενη ινα ο τι αν αιτησητε τον πατερα εν τω ονοματι μου δω υμιν

27. John 16:23
Verse routeJohn 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι εν εκεινη τη ημερα εμε ουκ ερωτησετε ουδεν αμην αμην λεγω υμιν αν τι αιτησητε τον πατερα δωσει υμιν εν τω ονοματι μου [gnt]

Some Greek manuscripts do not have "whatsoever" but just the Greek word for "if".

28. John 16:23
   John 16:23 
 All 
KJV: And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Greek: και εν εκεινη τη ημερα εμε ουκ ερωτησετε ουδεν αμην αμην λεγω υμιν οτι οσα αν τι αιτησητε τον πατερα δωσει υμιν εν τω ονοματι μου δωσει υμιν

29. John 16:24,26
Verse routeJohn 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. [kjv]
Verse routeεως αρτι ουκ ητησατε ουδεν εν τω ονοματι μου αιτειτε και λημψεσθε ινα η χαρα υμων η πεπληρωμενη [gnt]

Verse route16:26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: [kjv]
Verse routeεν εκεινη τη ημερα εν τω ονοματι μου αιτησεσθε και ου λεγω υμιν οτι εγω ερωτησω τον πατερα περι υμων [gnt]

It is not clear how this verse relates to the topic, but it does have the search words "ask" and "name" in it.

The Greek word translated as "joy" is that of "favor" or "grace".

Information sign More: A joyous thank you for the grace of a gaudy favor

30. John 16:24
   John 16:24 
 All 
KJV: Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Greek: εως αρτι ουκ ητησατε ουδεν εν τω ονοματι μου αιτειτε και ληψεσθε λημψεσθε ινα η χαρα υμων η πεπληρωμενη

31. John 16:26
   John 16:26 
 All 
KJV: At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
Greek: εν εκεινη τη ημερα εν τω ονοματι μου αιτησεσθε και ου λεγω υμιν οτι εγω ερωτησω τον πατερα περι υμων

32. Questions and answers
Verse routeJohn 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι ο τι αν αιτησητε εν τω ονοματι μου τουτο ποιησω ινα δοξασθη ο πατηρ εν τω υιω [gnt]

Verse route15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. [kjv]
Verse routeουχ υμεις με εξελεξασθε αλλ εγω εξελεξαμην υμας και εθηκα υμας ινα υμεις υπαγητε και καρπον φερητε και ο καρπος υμων μενη ινα ο τι αν αιτησητε τον πατερα εν τω ονοματι μου δω υμιν [gnt]

Verse route16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι εν εκεινη τη ημερα εμε ουκ ερωτησετε ουδεν αμην αμην λεγω υμιν αν τι αιτησητε τον πατερα δωσει υμιν εν τω ονοματι μου [gnt]

Question markIn the above verses, one could paraphrase the general theme as the following.

33. Questions and answers
So the question comes down to what exactly is "it" referring. Such pronouns can be ambiguous. To what might be the "it" in the verses are referring?

Suppose that you were told this three times (pairs) spread over one long discourse. Would you fully understand? Did the disciples understand?

It appears that the unspecified "it" and other sayings by Jesus in this extended discourse may have left the disciples somewhat confused. A few verses later we have a request by the disciples.

Information sign More: Pronouns

34. John 16:29 Speak clearly
Verse routeJohn 16:29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. [kjv]
Verse routeλεγουσιν οι μαθηται αυτου ιδε νυν εν παρρησια λαλεις και παροιμιαν ουδεμιαν λεγεις [gnt]
Verse routeopenliceby-spell. [wes]

John organizes John chapters 14, 15 and 16 in a top-down backward-chaining manner that can be confusing. The disciples appear to be confused and want Jesus to speak more plainly.

The "plainly" or "openly" can be translated "bluntly".

The Old English word "spell""speak, say" as in to cast a "spell". To "spell" a word one would often say aloud the letters of that word. To "sit for a spell" is to sit and talk (for a while).


Information sign More: Parables and secret codes used and explained by Jesus

35. John 16:29

   John 16:29 
 All 
KJV: His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
Greek: λεγουσιν αυτω οι μαθηται αυτου ιδε νυν εν παρρησια λαλεις και παροιμιαν ουδεμιαν λεγεις
Latin: dicunt ei discipuli eius ecce nunc palam loqueris et proverbium nullum dicis
Wessex: Hys leorningcnihtas cwaeðen to hym. Nu þu sprecst openlice. & ne segst nan by-spell.
Wycliffe: Hise disciplis seiden to hym, Lo! now thou spekist opynli, and thou seist no prouerbe.

36. John 16:1 Misinterpretations
Verse routeJohn 16:1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. [kjv]
Verse routeταυτα λελαληκα υμιν ινα μη σκανδαλισθητε [gnt]

Earlier in chapter 16 Jesus had told the disciples that he had told them "these things" (chapters 14 and 15) so they would not "misunderstand" or "misinterpret" or "become entrapped" in what he had said and would say. The English "offended" which comes from the Latin for "attack" does not capture the Greek meaning, here and elsewhere in the GNT.

Given that many still claim that one can "ask" for "anything" in the "name" of Jesus and it will be "made", "given", "received" (these words are usually changed), "these things" that Jesus said appear to be misunderstood by many even today.

Information sign More: Matthew 11:6: Idiomatic misinterpretations that offend

37. John 16:1
   John 16:1 
 All 
KJV: These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
Greek: ταυτα λελαληκα υμιν ινα μη σκανδαλισθητε

38. Ask, seek, knock
Ask, seek, knock
From the analysis of the parable of the sheep and goats, the "ask" here could be the "ask" of the "ask", "seek" and "knock" in Matthew and Luke and that does not appear in John.
That could be as follows. How about the following? This may be more precise from a logical point of view.

39. Seeking and searching
In learning, one can search or seek knowledge. One must know that one needs to search or seek.
Verse routeMatthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [kjv]
Verse routeζητειτε δε πρωτον την βασιλειαν και την δικαιοσυνην αυτου και ταυτα παντα προστεθησεται υμιν [gnt]

Search ask seek knock
In general, the following holds in computer science (and other areas).

40. Ask, seek and knock
Verse routeMatthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: [kjv]
Verse routeαιτειτε και δοθησεται υμιν ζητειτε και ευρησετε κρουετε και ανοιγησεται υμιν [gnt]
Verse route7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. [kjv]
Verse routeπας γαρ ο αιτων λαμβανει και ο ζητων ευρισκει και τω κρουοντι ανοιγησεται [gnt]



Ask seek knockWhat exactly is one "asking" for, "seeking" for, and "knocking" at?
Jesus usually uses a bottom-up forward-chaining process from start point to goal. John often uses a top-down backward-chaining process that leads from goal to start point.

41. Matthew 7:7
   Matthew 7:7 
 All 
KJV: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Greek: αιτειτε και δοθησεται υμιν ζητειτε και ευρησετε κρουετε και ανοιγησεται υμιν

42. Matthew 7:8
   Matthew 7:8 
 All 
KJV: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Greek: πας γαρ ο αιτων λαμβανει και ο ζητων ευρισκει και τω κρουοντι ανοιγησεται

43. Gates
One starts with a world view or frame of mind and that frame of mind determines what one "asks", how one "seeks" and how one "knocks". Five verses after the ask, seek and knock verses are the gate verses.

Verse routeMatthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [kjv]
Verse route7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. [kjv]



Two gates - pre-approved
It appears that one can knock on the gate to life or the gate to destruction. Most people (who read this chapter) assume that they are knocking on the gate to life.

44. Matthew 7:14
   Matthew 7:14 
 All 
KJV: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Greek: οτι στενη η πυλη και τεθλιμμενη η οδος η απαγουσα εις την ζωην και ολιγοι εισιν οι ευρισκοντες αυτην

45. Matthew 7:13
   Matthew 7:13 
 All 
KJV: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Greek: εισελθετε εισελθατε δια της στενης πυλης οτι πλατεια η πυλη και ευρυχωρος η οδος η απαγουσα εις την απωλειαν και πολλοι εισιν οι εισερχομενοι δι αυτης

46. Ask seek knock
Ask Seek Knock

Do some people try to "ask" without permission? As in without an invitation by the Holy Spirit as in John 3 (the spirit calls who it desires). Ask first for yourself and then for others.

Do some people try to "seek" without permission? As in entering the banquet without permission. Seek first for yourself and then for others.

Do some people try to "knock" without permission? As in entering the sheep pen without permission. Knock first for yourself and then for others.

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47. Way, truth and life
Verse routeJohn 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. [kjv]
Verse routeλεγει αυτω ιησους εγω ειμι η οδος και η αληθεια και η ζωη ουδεις ερχεται προς τον πατερα ει μη δι εμου [gnt]
Verse routeviaveritasvita … [v]

Jesus usually uses a bottom-up forward-chaining process from start point to goal. John often uses a top-down backward-chaining process that leads from goal to start point. John quotes Jesus but appears to organize John 14, 15 and 16 in a top-down backward-chaining manner.

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48. Stair analogy
Stepwise refinement - numberedA stair analogy can be used to help understand top-down design and bottom-up implementation. Identifying the goal is most important! You do not want to climb the wrong stairs to get to the wrong goal.
Implementation: Design: When it works, top-down tends to be better. Gospels:

49. John 14:6
   John 14:6 
 All 
KJV: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Greek: λεγει αυτω ο ιησους εγω ειμι η οδος και η αληθεια και η ζωη ουδεις ερχεται προς τον πατερα ει μη δι εμου
Latin: dicit ei Iesus ego sum via et veritas et vita nemo venit ad Patrem nisi per me

50. Ask seek knock
Ask seek knock steps Think bottom-up forward-chaining: Start with "ask" then continue with "seek" then finish with "knock".


Think top-down backward-chaining: One can finish with "knock" if one continues with a "seek" if one starts with an "ask".

Ask, seek, knock Do it: "ask", "seek", "knock".

Here is one interpretation for the three parts, in top-down backward-chaining order as appears to be used by John in John chapters 14 and following.

51. Divide and conquer: Top-down and bottom-up
 ▶ 
 + 
 - 
 1 Start design at goal 
 2 Break design goal into parts 
 3 Break design parts into subparts 
 4 Break design subparts into more parts 
 5 Implement the parts with unit tests 
 6 Combine the parts up the tree - unit tests 
 7 Combine the parts up the tree - unit tests 
 8 To original goal is achieved - unit tests 

A divide and conquer problem solving method starts with a goal. At each point in the implementation, unit testing is added for each part and abstractions made as needed.

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52. Tree structures
 ▶ 
 + 
 - 
 1 Top down 
 2 Backward chaining 
 3 Top down - flipped 
 4 Backward chaining - flipped 

There are various names for a top-down backward-chaining divide and conquer problem solving strategy.

Topologically they are all the same since one can rotate and change the length of the branches as desired and it is the same tree.

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53. Linear sequences
 ▶ 
 + 
 - 
 1 Top down 
 2 Backward chaining 
 3 Top down - flipped 
 4 Backward chaining - flipped 

Not all trees have two or more branches. Some problems are best split into just one other part. Such a sequence is called a serial sequence. A tree-structure is needed by many problems in computer science. Most people will only need to understand the linear sequence.

And that top-down or bottom-up sequence can be viewed in any direction.

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54. John 17-21
 ▶ 
 + 
 - 
 1 
 2 
 3 
 4 
 5 
 6 
 7 

14 Knock Father
15 Seek Holy Spirit, comforter
16 Ask Son
17  Ask  Garden, prayer
18  Seek  Arrest, trials, Pilate, witness
19+  Knock  Crucifixion
In John chapters 14 and following, John presents a top-down design and bottom-up implementation of the entire "ask", "seek", "knock" sequence where Jesus provides the implementation example of the design.

Note that chapter boundaries were determined in the Middle Ages and may not fit what John is saying (since the translators may not have fully understood what John was saying).

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55. John 17-21
ASK 7
John 14-16 deals with the top-down backward-chaining thinking and design.

Jesus will then put that design into practice in the bottom-up forward-chaining doing and implementation .
Design top-down: Implement bottom-up:

56. ASK
Scrabble ASKThe model used is that of ASK (ASK Seek Knock) from the verses in Matthew and Luke.
ASK is a recursively defined acronym (of infinite regress) where the following holds, using parentheses to show the expansion. As one continues, one should be continually seeking His righteousness and knocking (in the Kingdom of Heaven) to see if others want to start the same path, until the final knock to the Kingdom of God.

Another recursively defined acronym GNU (GNU is Not Unix) which is a Open Source platform for Unix/Linux tools such as the C or C++ compilers used in some beginning programming courses.

57. Reprove
Verse routeJohn 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: [kjv]
Verse routeκαι ελθων εκεινος ελεγξει τον κοσμον περι αμαρτιας και περι δικαιοσυνης και περι κρισεως [gnt]

An interesting hierarchy in John 16:7-11 is as follows, in contrast to the ask, seek, knock progression of believers. The "reprove" is a logical argument and not any "doing" action. As in the game of monopoly, one can be "sent to jail" (for bad behavior) at any point and revert to a prior point. Classic Monopoly game: Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. For this sequence, the end result is the wide gate to destruction.
Think of the parable of the sheep and (kid) goats. Is there a "participation trophy" for whatever effort is made and for whatever is done? A related question is "Does God grade on a curve?".

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58. John 16:7-8
Verse routeJohn 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. [kjv]
Verse routeαλλ εγω την αληθειαν λεγω υμιν συμφερει υμιν ινα εγω απελθω εαν γαρ μη απελθω ο παρακλητος ου μη ελθη προς υμας εαν δε πορευθω πεμψω αυτον προς υμας [gnt]
Verse route16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: [kjv]
Verse routeκαι ελθων εκεινος ελεγξει τον κοσμον περι αμαρτιας και περι δικαιοσυνης και περι κρισεως [gnt]

[commutative relationships]

59. John 16:7
   John 16:7 
 All 
KJV: Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Greek: αλλ εγω την αληθειαν λεγω υμιν συμφερει υμιν ινα εγω απελθω εαν γαρ μη απελθω ο παρακλητος ουκ ελευσεται ου μη ελθη προς υμας εαν δε πορευθω πεμψω αυτον προς υμας

60. John 16:8
   John 16:8 
 All 
KJV: And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Greek: και ελθων εκεινος ελεγξει τον κοσμον περι αμαρτιας και περι δικαιοσυνης και περι κρισεως
Latin: et cum venerit ille arguet mundum de peccato et de iustitia et de iudicio
Wessex: & þonne he cymð he þirð (sic) þissne middan-eard. be synne. & be rihtwysnesse. & be dome.
Wycliffe: And whanne he cometh, he schal repreue the world of synne, and of riytwisnesse, and of doom.
Tyndale: And when he is come he will rebuke ye worlde of synne and of rightwesnes and of iudgement.
Gothic: jah qimands is gasakith tho manaseth bi frawaurht jah bi garaihtitha jah bi staua;
Spanish: Y cuandoÉl viniere, redargüirá al mundo de pecado, y de justicia, y de juicio.

61. John 16:9
   John 16:9 
 All 
KJV: Of sin, because they believe not on me;
Greek: περι αμαρτιας μεν οτι ου πιστευουσιν εις εμε
Latin: de peccato quidem quia non credunt in me
Wessex: Be synne; for-þam hyo ne ge-lyfden on me.
Wycliffe: Of synne, for thei han not bileued in me;
Gothic: bi frawaurht raihtis, [thata] thatei ni galaubjand du mis;
Luther: um die Sünde, daß sie nicht glauben an mich;
Slavonic: о гресе убо, яко не веруют в Мя:
Russian: о грехе, что не веруют в Меня;
Spanish: De pecado, por cuanto no creen en mí;

62. John 16:10
   John 16:10 
 All 
KJV: Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
Greek: περι δικαιοσυνης δε οτι προς τον πατερα μου υπαγω και ουκ ετι ουκετι θεωρειτε με
Latin: de iustitia vero quia ad Patrem vado et iam non videbitis me
Wessex: Be rihtwysnesse; for-þam ic fare to þam faeder. & ge me ne ge-seoð.
Gothic: ith bi garaihtitha, thatei du attin meinamma gagga, jah ni thanaseiths saihvith mik;
Luther: um die Gerechtigkeit aber, daß ich zum Vater gehe, und ihr mich hinfort nicht sehet;
Slavonic: о правде же, яко ко Отцу Моему иду, и ктому не видите Мене:
Russian: о правде, что Я иду к Отцу Моему, и уже не увидите Меня;
Spanish: y de justicia, por cuanto voy a mi Padre, y no me veréis más;

63. Judgment and doom
Verse routeJohn 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; [kjv]
Verse routeπερι αμαρτιας μεν οτι ου πιστευουσιν εις εμε [gnt]
Verse route16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; [kjv]
Verse routeπερι δικαιοσυνης δε οτι προς τον πατερα υπαγω και ουκετι θεωρειτε με [gnt]
Verse route16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. [kjv]
Verse routeπερι δε κρισεως οτι ο αρχων του κοσμου τουτου κεκριται [gnt]
Verse routeBe dome; for-þam þises middan-eardes ealdor ys ge-demed. [wes]
Verse routebut of doom, for the prince of this world is now demed. [wy]

The Middle English word "doom""judgment" and the Old English word "dome""judgment" and are the source of "doomsday" as in "judgment day".

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64. John 16:11

   John 16:11 
 All 
KJV: Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Greek: περι δε κρισεως οτι ο αρχων του κοσμου τουτου κεκριται
Latin: de iudicio autem quia princeps mundi huius iudicatus est
Wessex: Be dome; for-þam þises middan-eardes ealdor ys ge-demed.
Wycliffe: but of doom, for the prince of this world is now demed.
Tyndale: and of iudgement because the chefe ruler of this worlde is iudged all ready.
Gothic: ith bi staua, thatei sa reiks this fairhvaus afdomiths warth.
Luther: um das Gericht, daß der Fürst dieser Welt gerichtet ist.
Slavonic: о суде же, яко князь мира сего осужден бысть.
Russian: о суде же, что князь мира сего осужден.
Spanish: y de juicio, por cuanto el príncipe de este mundo ya es juzgado.

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