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John: Asking for anything and everything
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".
2. John: Asking for anything and everything
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [kjv]
και 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?
The Bible says that we can ask for anything in Jesus name, and it will be given to us.
Is this accurate? Whatever! Let us investigate.
3. Whatever
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [kjv]
και 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
Isaiah 7:10 Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, [kjv]
7:11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. [kjv]
αιτησαι σεαυτω σημειον παρα κυριου θεου σου εις βαθος η εις υψος [lxx]
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.
5. Isaiah 7:10
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
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
Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. [kjv]
και 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.
"πρός" ≈ "to".
"εὔχομαι " ≈ "pray, vow" and which means, literally, a "good wish".
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".
8. Meta-wishes
Romans 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]
παντοτε 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.
"πρός" ≈ "to".
"εὔχομαι " ≈ "pray, vow" and which means, literally, a "good wish".
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.
9. Romans 1:10
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
11. John 14:13 Anything
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [kjv]
και 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?
Can I be God?
Can God do whatever I desire?
Can I be allowed to do anything even if God does not approve of it?
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
Can 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.
13. Words
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [kjv]
και 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".
"ο" ≈ "that, it, the" as a pronoun or definite article.
"τι" ≈ "what".
"αν" ≈ "if"
"εαν" ≈ "if" appears in some verses.
The modern Greek words
"ο τι αν" (o tee an) ≈ "what if".
14. Luke and Colossians
15. Luke 10:35
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
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
John 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. [kjv]
λεγει 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".
"ποίησις" ≈ "poetry, creating, making".
"ποιέω" ≈ "create, produce".
This same word for
"make" is used before the
"whatsoever" in the
"name" verses.
18. John 2:5
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
John 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. [kjv]
λεγει η μητηρ αυτου τοις διακονοις ο τι αν λεγη υμιν ποιησατε [gnt]
14:12 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]
αμην 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]
14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [kjv]
και ο τι αν αιτησητε εν τω ονοματι μου τουτο ποιησω ινα δοξασθη ο πατηρ εν τω υιω [gnt]
14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. [kjv]
εαν τι αιτησητε με με εν τω ονοματι μου τουτο ποιησω [gnt]
20. John 14:12
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
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
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
John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. [kjv]
υμεις φιλοι μου εστε εαν ποιητε ο εγω εντελλομαι υμιν [gnt]
15:15 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]
ουκετι 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]
15:16 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]
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 [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
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
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
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
John 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]
και 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
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
John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. [kjv]
εως αρτι ουκ ητησατε ουδεν εν τω ονοματι μου αιτειτε και λημψεσθε ινα η χαρα υμων η πεπληρωμενη [gnt]
16:26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: [kjv]
εν 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".
30. John 16:24
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
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
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [kjv]
και ο τι αν αιτησητε εν τω ονοματι μου τουτο ποιησω ινα δοξασθη ο πατηρ εν τω υιω [gnt]
15:16 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]
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 [gnt]
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]
και εν εκεινη τη ημερα εμε ουκ ερωτησετε ουδεν αμην αμην λεγω υμιν αν τι αιτησητε τον πατερα δωσει υμιν εν τω ονοματι μου [gnt]
In the above verses, one could paraphrase the general theme as the following.
Ask for it and it will be given to you (or made for you).
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.
34. John 16:29 Speak clearly
John 16:29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. [kjv]
λεγουσιν οι μαθηται αυτου ιδε νυν εν παρρησια λαλεις και παροιμιαν ουδεμιαν λεγεις [gnt]
… openlice… by-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).
35. John 16:29
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
John 16:1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. [kjv]
ταυτα 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.
37. John 16:1
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
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.
Ask to ask for the opportunity to be filled with righteousness and ask to seek righteousness and ask to knock to help others asking and seeking the same thing.
How about the following?
1. Ask for it. Ask to ask, a meta-ask (as in a meta-question).
2. Ask for it. Ask to seek.
3. Ask for it. Ask to knock.
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.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [kjv]
ζητειτε δε πρωτον την βασιλειαν και την δικαιοσυνην αυτου και ταυτα παντα προστεθησεται υμιν [gnt]
In general, the following holds in computer science (and other areas).
A "search" is looking for something that may or may not exist.
A "seek" is looking for something that is known to exist, but the exact location of that something is not known.
40. Ask, seek and knock
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: [kjv]
αιτειτε και δοθησεται υμιν ζητειτε και ευρησετε κρουετε και ανοιγησεται υμιν [gnt]
7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. [kjv]
πας γαρ ο αιτων λαμβανει και ο ζητων ευρισκει και τω κρουοντι ανοιγησεται [gnt]
What exactly is one
"asking" for,
"seeking" for, and
"knocking" at?
Jesus usually uses a
bottom-up forward-chaining process from start point to goal.
(start) "ask" then "seek" then "knock" (goal).
John often uses a
top-down backward-chaining process that leads from goal to start point.
(goal )"knock" if "seek" if "ask" (start).
41. Matthew 7:7
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
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.
Matthew 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]
7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. [kjv]
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
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
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
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.
.
47. Way, truth and life
John 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]
λεγει αυτω ιησους εγω ειμι η οδος και η αληθεια και η ζωη ουδεις ερχεται προς τον πατερα ει μη δι εμου [gnt]
… via … veritas … vita … [v]
Jesus usually uses a
bottom-up forward-chaining process from start point to goal.
(start) "way", then "truth" then "life" (goal).
(start) "ask" then "seek" then "knock" (goal).
John often uses a
top-down backward-chaining process that leads from goal to start point.
(goal) "life" if "truth" if "way" (start).
(goal) "knock" if "seek" if "ask" (start).
John quotes Jesus but appears to organize John 14, 15 and 16 in a
top-down backward-chaining manner.
48. Stair analogy
A
stair analogy can be used to help understand
top-down design and
bottom-up implementation.
The goal is the top of the stairs.
The start is the bottom of the stairs.
Identifying the
goal is most important! You do not want to climb the wrong stairs to get to the wrong goal.
Implementation:
Do it: 1 to 2 to 3 to 4 to 5 (same either way)
Design: When it works,
top-down tends to be
better.
Think bottom-up: 1 then 2 then 3 then 4 then 5 (start forward to goal)
Think top-down: 5 if 4 if 3 if 2 if 1 (goal backward to start)
Gospels:
Bottom-up: Matthew, Mark, Luke (goal not clear, a lot of extra material)
Top-down: John (goal clear, no extra material)
49. John 14:6
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
 |
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".
|
 |
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.
Ask for the opportunity to knock and it will be made for you, if you
ask for the opportunity to seek and it will be given to you, if you
ask for the opportunity to ask and it will be given to you.
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.
The problem is broken down in a top-down or backward-chaining manner as part of the solution design.
The solution is implemented in a bottom-up or forward-chaining manner as part of the solution implementation.
At each point in the implementation, unit testing is added for each part and abstractions made as needed.
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.
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.
54. John 17-21
| 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).
55. John 17-21
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:
(1) One can ask to "knock" (to the Father)
if (2) one asks to "seek" (with the Spirit)
if (3 ) one asks to "ask" (from the Son).
Implement bottom-up:
4. Ask: Pray in the garden as the start.
5. Seek: Arrest, trial, crucifixion and passive endurance of the hate of the world.
6. Knock: Asking the Father to receive him. It is finished.
56. ASK
The 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.
ASK =
(ASK Seek Knock) =
((ASK Seek Knock) Seek Knock) =
(((ASK Seek Knock) Seek Knock) Seek Knock) =
...
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
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: [kjv]
και 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.
Sin - asking part (opinion, believe not)
Righteousness - seeking part (see Him no more)
Judgment - knocking part ("judge" here means "separating")
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?".
58. John 16:7-8
59. John 16:7
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
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
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
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
64. John 16:11
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.
65. End of page
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [kjv]
και ο τι αν αιτησητε εν τω ονοματι μου τουτο ποιησω ινα δοξασθη ο πατηρ εν τω υιω [gnt]
Luke 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]
και 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]
Colossians 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]
και παν ο τι εαν ποιητε εν λογω η εν εργω παντα εν ονοματι κυριου ιησου ευχαριστουντες τω θεω πατρι δι αυτου [gnt]
John 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]
αλλ 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]
16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: [kjv]
και ελθων εκεινος ελεγξει τον κοσμον περι αμαρτιας και περι δικαιοσυνης και περι κρισεως [gnt]
John 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; [kjv]
περι αμαρτιας μεν οτι ου πιστευουσιν εις εμε [gnt]
16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; [kjv]
περι δικαιοσυνης δε οτι προς τον πατερα υπαγω και ουκετι θεωρειτε με [gnt]
16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. [kjv]
περι δε κρισεως οτι ο αρχων του κοσμου τουτου κεκριται [gnt]
Be dome; for-þam þises middan-eardes ealdor ys ge-demed. [wes]
but of doom, for the prince of this world is now demed. [wy]
