Charles Ellicott Commentary John 16:24

"Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be made full." — John 16:24 (ASV)

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name.—Compare to Note on John 14:13. They had not up to this time received the Holy Spirit. When He came, He was as the presence of Christ dwelling in them. Under His influence their will became the will of Christ, and their thoughts the thoughts of Christ, and their prayers the prayers of Christ. They had not yet so learned Him as to pray in His name. It would be otherwise in that day.

Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.—The future is thought of as already present, and they are directed to ask, as though they had already entered into the new region of spiritual life. The pangs of the present travailing are passing away (John 16:22). The fullness of joy is already at hand. (Compare to Note on John 15:11.)