1 John 5:15
New International Version
And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

New Living Translation
And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.

English Standard Version
And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

Berean Standard Bible
And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.

Berean Literal Bible
And if we know that He hears us, whatever we might ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked from Him.

King James Bible
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

New King James Version
And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

New American Standard Bible
And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

NASB 1995
And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

NASB 1977
And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

Legacy Standard Bible
And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

Amplified Bible
And if we know [for a fact, as indeed we do] that He hears and listens to us in whatever we ask, we [also] know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted to us] the requests which we have asked from Him.

Christian Standard Bible
And if we know that he hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for.

American Standard Version
and if we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.

Contemporary English Version
And if we know God listens when we pray, we are sure our prayers have already been answered.

English Revised Version
and if we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We know that he listens to our requests. So we know that we already have what we ask him for.

Good News Translation
He hears us whenever we ask him; and since we know this is true, we know also that he gives us what we ask from him.

International Standard Version
And if we know that he listens to our requests, we can be sure that we have what we ask him for.

Majority Standard Bible
And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.

NET Bible
And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask, then we know that we have the requests that we have asked from him.

New Heart English Bible
And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And if we know that he heareth us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired from him.

Weymouth New Testament
And since we know that He listens to us, then whatever we ask, we know that we have the things which we have asked from Him.

World English Bible
And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and if we have known that He hears us, whatever we may ask, we have known that we have the requests that we have requested from Him.

Berean Literal Bible
And if we know that He hears us, whatever we might ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked from Him.

Young's Literal Translation
and if we have known that He doth hear us, whatever we may ask, we have known that we have the requests that we have requested from Him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And if we know that he hear us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask: we know that we have the petitions which we request of him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And we know that he hears us, no matter what we request; so we know that we can obtain the things that we request of him.

New American Bible
And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask, we know that what we have asked him for is ours.

New Revised Standard Version
And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For if we beseech him to hear us concerning the things that we ask of him, we are assured that we have already received from him those things that we desire.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And if we are convinced that he hears us concerning whatever we ask from him, we trust that even now we receive the things that we desire which we ask from him.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.

Godbey New Testament
And if we know that he hears us as to whatsoever we may ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked from him.

Haweis New Testament
And if we know that he heareth us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we receive the petitions, which we have requested, from him.

Mace New Testament
and since we are sure that he hears all our prayers, we are sure that the petitions we presented to him, will be answered.

Weymouth New Testament
And since we know that He listens to us, then whatever we ask, we know that we have the things which we have asked from Him.

Worrell New Testament
and, if we know that He heareth us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we asked of Him.

Worsley New Testament
and if we know that He heareth us in whatsoever we ask; we know that we shall have the petitions, which we have requested of Him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Effective Prayer
14And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him. 16If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin.…

Cross References
Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

John 14:13-14
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. / If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.

John 15:7
If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

John 16:23-24
In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. / Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

James 1:5-6
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. / But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

1 John 3:22
and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.

Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Jeremiah 29:12
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

Psalm 34:15
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.

Psalm 145:18-19
The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth. / He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.

Proverbs 15:29
The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

Isaiah 65:24
Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear.


Treasury of Scripture

And if we know that he hear us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

if.

Proverbs 15:29
The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Jeremiah 15:12,13
Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel? …

we know.

Mark 11:24
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Luke 11:9,10
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you…

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Desired Ear Equally Gives Hear Heareth Hears Listens Obtained Petitions Requested Requests Whatever Whatsoever
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Desired Ear Equally Gives Hear Heareth Hears Listens Obtained Petitions Requested Requests Whatever Whatsoever
1 John 5
1. He who loves God loves his children, and keeps his commandments;
3. which to the faithful are not grievous.
9. Jesus is the Son of God;
14. and able to hear our prayers.














And if we know
The phrase begins with a conditional "if," suggesting a premise that is assumed to be true for believers. The Greek word for "know" here is "οἴδαμεν" (oidamen), which implies a deep, intuitive knowledge rather than mere intellectual understanding. This knowledge is rooted in faith and the assurance of God's character and promises. It reflects a certainty that comes from a relationship with God, cultivated through prayer and study of His Word.

that He hears us
The assurance that God "hears" us is foundational to the believer's prayer life. The Greek word "ἀκούει" (akouei) means more than just auditory reception; it implies attentive listening and understanding. In the historical context of the early church, this was a radical assurance, contrasting with the capricious nature of pagan gods. The God of the Bible is portrayed as a loving Father who is always attentive to His children's prayers, reinforcing the personal relationship believers have with Him.

whatever we ask
This phrase emphasizes the breadth of God's willingness to hear our prayers. The Greek "ὃ ἐὰν αἰτώμεθα" (ho ean aitōmetha) suggests an openness to all requests, big or small. However, this is not a blank check for selfish desires; it is understood within the context of asking according to God's will, as outlined in 1 John 5:14. The historical context of the early church, facing persecution and trials, underscores the importance of aligning requests with God's purposes and kingdom.

we know that we have
The repetition of "we know" (οἴδαμεν) reinforces the certainty and confidence believers can have in God's response. The phrase "we have" (ἔχομεν, echomen) is in the present tense, indicating that the fulfillment of our requests is as good as done in God's timing and plan. This reflects a trust in God's sovereignty and His perfect timing, encouraging believers to rest in His promises even when immediate answers are not visible.

what we asked of Him
The phrase concludes with the assurance that our prayers are not only heard but also granted. The Greek "τὰ αἰτήματα" (ta aitēmata) refers to the specific requests made in prayer. This assurance is rooted in the believer's alignment with God's will, as mentioned earlier. The historical context of the apostolic church, with its emphasis on community and mutual support, highlights the importance of praying in accordance with God's will for the edification of the body of Christ and the advancement of His kingdom.

Verse 15. - The point is not, that if God hears our prayers he grants them (as if we could ever pray to him without his being aware of it); but that if we know that he hears our prayers (i.e., trust him without reserve), we already have what we have asked in accordance with his will. It may be years before we perceive that our prayers have been answered: perhaps in this world we may never be able to see this; but we know that God has answered them. The peculiar construction, ἐάν with the indicative, is not uncommon in the New Testament as a variant reading. It seems to be genuine in Luke 19:40 and Acts 8:31 with the future indicative, and in 1 Thessalonians 3:8 with the present. Here the reading is undisputed. Of course, οἴδαμεν is virtually present; but even the past tenses of the indicative are sometimes found after ἐάν (see Winer, pages 369, 370; see also Trench, 'On the Authorized Version of the New Testament,' page 61).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

if
ἐὰν (ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

we know
οἴδαμεν (oidamen)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

He hears
ἀκούει (akouei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

us
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

in whatever
(ho)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

we ask,
αἰτώμεθα (aitōmetha)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Middle - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 154: To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.

we know
οἴδαμεν (oidamen)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

we already possess
ἔχομεν (echomen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

what
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

we have asked
ᾐτήκαμεν (ētēkamen)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 154: To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.

of
ἀπ’ (ap’)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

Him.
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Letters: 1 John 5:15 And if we know that he listens (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo)
1 John 5:14
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