Joh 20:21-23 | RWP | e4.org | Even so send I you ( καγω πεμπω υμας ). Jesus has often spoken of the Father's sending him using both αποστελλω and πεμπω . Here he employs both words in practically the same sense. Jesus still bears the Commission of the Father (perfect active indicative). For this balanced contention (as ... so) see ; . This is the first of the three commissions given by the Risen Christ (another on the mountain in Galilee ( ; ), another on the Mount of Olives ( ; ).

‏ John 20:21-23

Even so send I you ( καγω πεμπω υμας ). Jesus has often spoken of the Father's sending him using both αποστελλω and πεμπω. Here he employs both words in practically the same sense. Jesus still bears the Commission of the Father (perfect active indicative). For this balanced contention (as ... so) see 6:57; 10:15. This is the first of the three commissions given by the Risen Christ (another on the mountain in Galilee (Mt 28:16-20; 1Co 15:6), another on the Mount of Olives (Lu 24:44-51; Ac 1:3-11).

He breathed on them ( ενεφυσησεν ). First aorist active indicative of εμφυσαω, late verb, here only in N.T. though eleven times in the LXX and in the papyri. It was a symbolic art with the same word used in the LXX when God breathed the breath of life upon Adam (Ge 2:7). It occurs also in Eze 37:9. See Christ's promise in Joh 16:23. Jesus gives the disciples a foretaste of the great pentecost.

Receive ye the Holy Ghost ( λαβετε πνευμα αγιον ). Second aorist (ingressive) active imperative of λαμβανω. Note absence of article here ( πνευμα αγιον ) though το πνευμα το αγιον in 14:26. No real distinction is to be observed, for Holy Spirit is treated as a proper name with or without the article.

Whosesoever sins ye forgive ( αν τινων αφητε τας αμαρτιας ). "If the sins of any ye forgive" ( αφητε, second aorist active subjunctive with αν in the sense of εαν ), a condition of the third class. Precisely so with "retain" ( κρατητε, present active subjunctive of κρατεω ).

They are forgiven ( αφεωντα ). Perfect passive indicative of αφιημ, Doric perfect for αφειντα.

Are retained ( κεκρατηντα ). Perfect passive indicative of κρατεω. The power to forgive sin belongs only to God, but Jesus claimed to have this power and right (Mr 2:5-7). What he commits to the disciples and to us is the power and privilege of giving assurance of the forgiveness of sins by God by correctly announcing the terms of forgiveness. There is no proof that he actually transferred to the apostles or their successors the power in and of themselves to forgive sins. In Mt 16:19; 18:18 we have a similar use of the rabbinical metaphor of binding and loosing by proclaiming and teaching. Jesus put into the hands of Peter and of all believers the keys of the Kingdom which we should use to open the door for those who wish to enter. This glorious promise applies to all believers who will tell the story of Christ's love for men.