Verse 7 again picks up the imagery of the disciples’ remaining in Jesus, and the metaphor of the vine is dropped.

There is no distinction between Jesus’ remaining in his disciples and his words’ remaining in them; both Jesus and his words are the absolute revelation from God.

The specific content of the disciples’ prayer you will ask for anything you wish is not indicated, though it is assumed that it is in keeping with God’s will. You will ask (New American Bible, Jerusalem Bible “you may ask”) may also be taken with the force of the imperative “ask” (so Moffatt, Goodspeed, New English Bible, Revised Standard Version).

If you remain in me and my words remain in you should be translated in a manner parallel to that employed in previous verses which speak of continuing the relationship of the believer to Jesus and of Jesus to the believer. A most common way of expressing the relationship implied by remain in is “remaining a part of” or “continue to be a part of.” In some instances the expression “be joined to” is very useful.

And you shall have it is a pseudo-passive construction in which God is the “hidden subject.” You will ask for anything you wish and you shall have it may then be translated, “you will ask the Father for anything you wish, and he will give it to you.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .