What does it mean “that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13)?

In John 14:13, Jesus tells His disciples, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” This statement comes in the context of Jesus’ Upper Room Discourse (or Farewell Discourse).

John 14:5–14 relates how the disciple Thomas expressed confusion about where Jesus is going. Thomas says, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (John 14:5, ESV). In response, Jesus utters one of the most memorable statements in Scripture: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6, ESV). Jesus is the way, so we must follow Him. He is the truth, so we must believe in Him. He is the life, so we must hope in Him.

Next, Jesus speaks of the relationship between the Father, Son, and Jesus’ disciples. If the disciples truly knew Jesus, they would have also known the Father (verse 7). This is because the Father and Son are one. Jesus says, “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me” (John 14:11; cf. John 10:30). Jesus’ teachings and actions always reflect the Father’s will: “He who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him” (John 8:29, ESV).

Then Jesus gives His disciples a promise: “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). The promise includes a focus on prayer, Jesus’ response to prayer, and the Father’s glory. When we pray in Jesus’ name, He grants our requests—not for our glory, but for the glory of His Father.

The significance of praying in Jesus’ name cannot be overstated. This is not a ritual, formula, or incantation; to pray in Jesus’ name is to pray in conformity with His character and will. If we do not know Jesus’ character and will, then we should spend more time in the Word and less time in the world: “Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (James 1:21).

In John 14:13, Jesus assures us that, when we pray in His name, He will answer our requests. But let us not suppose that He is some kind of genie who grants our every wish. To the contrary, He is our Lord. Praying in Jesus’ name means, in part, that we seek His glory and honor above our own.

The goal of prayer is to glorify the Father through His Son. Jesus’ ministry was dedicated to revealing the Father and glorifying Him (John 12:28), and our lives should have the same goal. In Christ, we have the excellent privilege of praying in His name and receiving the things we need. The result is that the Father is glorified through the Son. To God be the glory.