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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 20:22 When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/20-22.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/43_Jhn_20_22.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 20:22 - Jesus Appears to the Disciples" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/20-21.htm" title="John 20:21">◄</a> John 20:22 <a href="/john/20-23.htm" title="John 20:23">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/20.htm">New International Version</a> And with that he breathed on them and said, &#8220Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/nlt/john/20.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/esv/john/20.htm">English Standard Version</a> And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/bsb/john/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/blb/john/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And having said this, He breathed on them and He says to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/kjv/john/20.htm">King James Bible</a> And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: <a href="/nkjv/john/20.htm">New King James Version</a> And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/nasb_/john/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/nasb/john/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, &#8220Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/nasb77/john/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/lsb/john/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/amp/john/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And when He said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/csb/john/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/hcsb/john/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> After saying this, He breathed on them and said, &#8220Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/asv/john/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit: <a href="/cev/john/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Then he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/erv/john/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: <a href="/gwt/john/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> After he had said this, he breathed on the disciples and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/gnt/john/20.htm">Good News Translation</a> Then he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/isv/john/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> When he had said this, he breathed on them and told them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/msb/john/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, ?Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/net/john/20.htm">NET Bible</a> And after he said this, he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/nheb/john/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/wbt/john/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith to them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit. <a href="/wey/john/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Having said this He breathed upon them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/web/john/20.htm">World English Bible</a> When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit! <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> having said this, He breathed on [them], and says to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit; <a href="/blb/john/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And having said this, He breathed on them and He says to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/ylt/john/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and this having said, he breathed on them, and saith to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit; <a href="/slt/john/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And having said this, he inspired, and says to them, Receive the Holy Spirit:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. <a href="/cpdv/john/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> When he had said this, he breathed on them. And he said to them: “Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/nabre/john/20.htm">New American Bible</a> And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. <a href="/nrsvce/john/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And when he had said these things, he gave them courage and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/20.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> When he had said these things, he breathed upon them and he said to them, “Receive The Spirit of Holiness.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/20.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them: Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/godbey/john/20.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And saying this, He breathed on them, and says to them, <FR>Receive ye the Holy Ghost.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/20.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And so speaking, he breathed on them, and said, Receive the Holy Ghost: <a href="/mace/john/20.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "receive ye the holy spirit. <a href="/wey/john/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Having said this He breathed upon them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. <a href="/worrell/john/20.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And, having said this, He breathed upon them, and said to them, <FR>"Receive ye the Holy Spirit.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/20.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And when He said this, He breathed upon them, and saith unto them, <FR>Receive <Fr>ye<FR> the holy Spirit:<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/20-22.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=7219" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/20.htm">Jesus Appears to the Disciples</a> …21Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.” 22<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">When</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipōn (V-APA-NMS) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">He had said</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: touto (DPro-ANS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this,</a> <a href="/greek/1720.htm" title="1720: enephysēsen (V-AIA-3S) -- To breathe into, breathe upon. From en and phusao; to blow at or on.">He breathed on them</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">said,</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/2983.htm" title="2983: Labete (V-AMA-2P) -- (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of. ">“Receive</a> <a href="/greek/40.htm" title="40: Hagion (Adj-ANS) -- Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.">the Holy</a> <a href="/greek/4151.htm" title="4151: Pneuma (N-ANS) -- Wind, breath, spirit. ">Spirit.</a> 23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/acts/2-4.htm">Acts 2:4</a> And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. <a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a> Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being. <a href="/ezekiel/37-9.htm">Ezekiel 37:9-10</a> Then He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and tell the breath that this is what the Lord GOD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, so that they may live!” / So I prophesied as He had commanded me, and the breath entered them, and they came to life and stood on their feet—a vast army. <a href="/acts/1-8.htm">Acts 1:8</a> But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” <a href="/1_corinthians/15-45.htm">1 Corinthians 15:45</a> So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam a life-giving spirit. <a href="/john/14-16.htm">John 14:16-17</a> And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever— / the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you. <a href="/john/7-39.htm">John 7:39</a> He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified. <a href="/romans/8-9.htm">Romans 8:9</a> You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. <a href="/2_corinthians/3-6.htm">2 Corinthians 3:6</a> And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. <a href="/galatians/3-14.htm">Galatians 3:14</a> He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. <a href="/isaiah/42-5.htm">Isaiah 42:5</a> This is what God the LORD says—He who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its offspring, who gives breath to the people on it and life to those who walk in it: <a href="/job/33-4.htm">Job 33:4</a> The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. <a href="/luke/24-49.htm">Luke 24:49</a> And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” <a href="/acts/10-44.htm">Acts 10:44</a> While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message. <a href="/joel/2-28.htm">Joel 2:28</a> And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, Receive you the Holy Ghost:he breathed.<a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a> And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.<a href="/job/33-4.htm">Job 33:4</a> The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.<a href="/psalms/33-6.htm">Psalm 33:6</a> By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.Receive.<a href="/john/14-16.htm">John 14:16</a> And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;<a href="/john/15-26.htm">John 15:26</a> But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:<a href="/john/16-7.htm">John 16:7</a> Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/23-46.htm">Breathed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-21.htm">Breathing</a> <a href="/john/19-30.htm">Ghost</a> <a href="/john/17-19.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/john/16-24.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/john/19-30.htm">Spirit</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/5-5.htm">Breathed</a> <a href="/acts/9-1.htm">Breathing</a> <a href="/acts/1-2.htm">Ghost</a> <a href="/acts/1-2.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/acts/1-8.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/acts/1-2.htm">Spirit</a><div class="vheading2">John 20</div>1. <a href="/john/20-1.htm">Mary comes to the tomb;</a> 3. <a href="/john/20-3.htm">so do Peter and John, ignorant of the resurrection.</a> 11. <a href="/john/20-11.htm">Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene,</a> 19. <a href="/john/20-19.htm">and to his disciples.</a> 24. <a href="/john/20-24.htm">The incredulity and confession of Thomas.</a> 30. <a href="/john/20-30.htm">The Scripture is sufficient to salvation.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>When He had said this This phrase follows Jesus' post-resurrection appearance to His disciples. The context is crucial as it occurs after His crucifixion and resurrection, marking a pivotal moment in Christian theology. Jesus had just reassured His disciples with peace and commissioned them, indicating the beginning of their mission to spread the Gospel. This moment is a fulfillment of His promise to send a Helper, as mentioned in <a href="/john/14-16.htm">John 14:16-17</a>.He breathed on them The act of breathing on the disciples is symbolic and reminiscent of God breathing life into Adam in <a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a>. This signifies a new creation, where the disciples are being spiritually renewed and empowered for their mission. The breath of Jesus here is a precursor to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, as described in <a href="/acts/2.htm">Acts 2</a>. It also connects to <a href="/ezekiel/37-9.htm">Ezekiel 37:9-10</a>, where the breath brings life to dry bones, symbolizing spiritual revival.and said, Jesus' words are authoritative and transformative. His speaking is an act of divine will, emphasizing the power and intentionality behind His actions. In biblical tradition, God's words are creative and life-giving, as seen in <a href="/genesis/1.htm">Genesis 1</a>, where God speaks creation into existence.“Receive the Holy Spirit. This command is both a promise and an empowerment. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, essential for the disciples' understanding, guidance, and strength in their forthcoming mission. This moment is a foretaste of the full indwelling of the Spirit that would occur at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit's role is to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (<a href="/john/16-8.htm">John 16:8</a>) and to guide believers into all truth (<a href="/john/16-13.htm">John 16:13</a>). This act fulfills Old Testament prophecies, such as <a href="/joel/2-28.htm">Joel 2:28-29</a>, about God's Spirit being poured out on all people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The resurrected Lord who appears to His disciples, offering them peace and commissioning them for their mission. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a> The followers of Jesus who are gathered together in a locked room, fearful of the Jewish leaders, and who receive the Holy Spirit from Jesus. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_upper_room.htm">The Upper Room</a> The location where the disciples are gathered, symbolizing a place of fear transformed into a place of empowerment. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_breathing_of_jesus.htm">The Breathing of Jesus</a> A symbolic act reminiscent of God breathing life into Adam, signifying the impartation of spiritual life and empowerment. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_holy_spirit.htm">The Holy Spirit</a> The third person of the Trinity, given to the disciples to empower them for their mission and to guide them in truth.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/e/empowerment_for_mission.htm">Empowerment for Mission</a> Just as the disciples were empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out their mission, believers today are called to rely on the Spirit for strength and guidance in their own lives and ministries. <a href="/topical/t/the_breath_of_life.htm">The Breath of Life</a> The act of Jesus breathing on the disciples signifies the impartation of spiritual life. Believers are reminded that true life and vitality come from the Spirit of God. <a href="/topical/p/peace_and_presence.htm">Peace and Presence</a> Jesus' presence brings peace to the fearful disciples. In the same way, believers can find peace in the presence of Christ, even in times of fear and uncertainty. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a> The Holy Spirit is essential for understanding and living out the teachings of Jesus. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a relationship with the Spirit for wisdom and discernment. <a href="/topical/n/new_creation.htm">New Creation</a> Receiving the Holy Spirit marks the beginning of a new life in Christ. Believers are called to live as new creations, reflecting the character and mission of Jesus.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 20</a> <a href="/q/did_jesus_breathe_for_holy_spirit.htm">Did Jesus breathe on them to receive the Holy Spirit?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_it_mean_that_god_is_patient.htm">Did Jesus breathe on them to receive the Holy Spirit?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_the_breath_of_life.htm">What defines the breath of life?</a> <a href="/q/who_else_is_a_savior_besides_me.htm">What does breathing signify in relation to Yahweh's name?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 22, 23. - And when he had said this, he breathed upon them, and saith to them, Receive ye (the) Holy Spirit. The word ἐνεφύσησεν is not elsewhere used in the New Testament, but is used by the LXX. in <a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a> to describe the essential distinction between the living soul of Adam and the living soul of all other animals. Man's life was no evolution of the life in other creatures, or consequence of pre-existent properties in the dust of the ground. A direct volition of the Almighty conferred upon humanity the life of the flesh. So here the second Adam, the life-giving Spirit (<a href="/1_corinthians/15-45.htm">1 Corinthians 15:45</a>), was represented as visibly and sensibly conferring on those whom he now sends forth to complete the mission of his grace the Divine life which would make them new creatures, and bestow on them power to generate the same spirit in others. They will have power to do this by bearing testimony to that which they see and know to be the fact of the case. The celebrated passage (<a href="/john/7-39.htm">John 7:39</a>) which asserts the "glorification" of Jesus to be the condition of the mission of the Comforter (cf. <a href="/john/16-7.htm">John 16:7</a>) makes the bestowment of the Spirit on this occasion a proof that the glorification had already begun. Has he not already said to Mary, "I am ascending to my Father"? So now he implies that the. time will come when, though he is sending his disciples forth from his immediate corporeal presence, they will touch him by other faculties than eye, or ear, or hand. He is about to leave them for seven days; they are to learn the reality of his spiritual presence by an earnest of Pentecost, by such a gift of the Spirit that they will recognize, in the rushing mighty wind, the presence of the same uplifting, revealing, supernatural Energy. It is urged by Hofmann, Luthardt, Gess, Moulton, and to some extent Westcott and Coder, that the absence of the article must be represented in the translation, that we have here either "a holy spirit," or an energy, an impersonal force of Spirit, or "a gift of the Holy Spirit," an effusion of Holy Spirit, and not "the Spirit of the Father and Son," not the fullness of the Holy Ghost, not the realization of the Divine indwelling, only an earnest of the sublime reality, a symbolic expression of the promise of the Father. Godet says, "This communication is to the Resurrection what Pentecost will be to the Ascension. As by Pentecost he will initiate them into his ascension, so now he associates them with the life of the Resurrection." This last may be perfectly true; yet Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον, with or without article, is "the Holy Spirit" (cf. <a href="/romans/8-4.htm">Romans 8:4</a>; <a href="/galatians/5-16.htm">Galatians 5:16</a>). Meyer says, "The idea of an intermediate Holy Spirit, distinct from the Holy Spirit, lies outside of Scripture." Nor can we minimize the full force of λάβετε, which emphasizes the special action of Christ, by which he communicated to this first gathering of the Church the sense of his Divine presence, the gift of spiritual insight, the God-consciousness, the experience of two worlds, the unity and community of life with himself, which has been augmenting in positive realization, in vivid proofs, in mighty powers, from that hour to this. Whosoever enters into the sphere of that Divine breath becomes "alive unto God;" his faith is invincible; he comes to know that which passes current experience. This was the beginning of the supernatural life which makes Christian consciousness unique among religious experiences. From that hour the holy world and kingdom in which Christ rules has been an objective fact. It lies far beyond the ken of science, and cannot find any place in a sensational philosophy, because it is not a universal experience. It will become so. The further revelations of the Lord all contributed to create the conviction, and Pentecost sealed it to the world. It is desirable to remember (cf. <a href="/luke/24-33.htm">Luke 24:33</a>, etc.) that not merely the eleven apostles received this Divine gift but all the others who had gathered together with them. This circumstance must be held to govern to some extent the solemn and mysterious privilege which appears to follow the Divine bestowment of the Holy Spirit. We cannot divide the company into two parts, one of which received the Holy Spirit, and the other which did not receive him; one of which became conscious of the Divine reality, and the other not. The women who had been the first witnesses and proclaimers of the resurrection-life of the Lord could not have been deprived of this sublime privilege. To the little society of believers, before long to swell to a company of a hundred and twenty, was this great grace given, and to the new fellowship of faith was the high privilege vouchsafed; for he continued, Whosesoever sins ye (remit) forgive, they are forgiven unto them - absolutely forgiven by God; for who can forgive sins but God only, and the Son of man who had and exercised the power on earth to forgive sins? - and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained. The history of the interpretation of this remarkable passage is given at length in Herzog's 'Real Encycl.,' art. "Schlüsselgewelt," by Stein. The patristic, scholastic, Tridentine,' Reformation doctrines are very carefully treated. The decrees of the Council of Trent, session 16. co. 1. - 6, show that every form in which apostolic custom, reformed theology, and modern exegesis have solved the problem of their meaning, was repudiated and anathematized by the Church of Rome, and that the function of forgiving or retaining sin was reserved for the priesthood alone, whether in respect of venial or mortal sin (see ' Ecclesia: Church Problems considered in a Series of Essays,' article by the present writer "On Forgiveness and Absolution of Sins"). It is impossible to sever this passage from those passages in <a href="/matthew/16-19.htm">Matthew 16:19</a> where Peter's confession of the Messiahship draws forth from the Lord the extraordinary benediction and privilege, "Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever thou shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Lightfoot and Schöttgen have shown, by numerous quotations from the Talmud, that the phrases "bind" and "loose" are repeatedly used by the rabbis to denote the declaration of what is binding and what is immaterial in ethic and religions life. Thus say they, "The school of Hillel binds, the school of Schammai looses or declares indifferent, this or that regulation." We know that it was given to Peter, by the conference upon him of the powers of the Holy Ghost, to declare the terms of admission and exclusion from the kingdom of God. Thus <a href="/acts/2-37.htm">Acts 2:37-39</a>; <a href="/acts/3-19.htm">Acts 3:19</a>; <a href="/acts/5-1.htm">Acts 5:1-11</a>; <a href="/acts/8-20.htm">Acts 8:20-24</a>; <a href="/acts/10-34.htm">Acts 10:34-48</a>; <a href="/acts/11-17.htm">Acts 11:17</a>; <a href="/acts/15-8.htm">Acts 15:8</a>, etc. Now, we find James in the same assembly proceeding still further than Simon Peter (James, who was not even one of the twelve disciples); and Paul repeatedly, in the Acts and in his Epistles, declaring by Divine inspiration the duties, the privileges, the ideas, the redeeming principles, of the kingdom of God, "binding and loosing," in the full confidence that he was the minister and mouthpiece of Jesus Christ. This is not remarkable, because we find that the identical privilege which was in <a href="/matthew/16.htm">Matthew 16</a>. described as a privilege of Peter is in <a href="/matthew/18-15.htm">Matthew 18:15-19</a> conferred, not merely on Peter, but on the whole Church, and still more explicitly upon any two who should agree as touching the forgiveness of a brother, to ask the Father in heaven for this great boon. This privilege is based on the ground that "where two or three are gathered together" in Christ's Name, there, says he, "am I in the midst of them." If the offending brother had refused all repentance and neglected to hear the judgment of the Church, this prayer cannot be urged. Peter then seeks for further information, "How oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times?" In answer to this question Christ reminded Peter of the Father's boundless love, and made it the pattern of human forgiveness; and the whole question of the forgiveness of injuries is shown to be closely associated with this binding and loosing power, this anticipation, this discovery of the will of the Father, this acquisition of the truth in answer to earnest prayer. Prayer is, as we have seen in numberless places, the rising up of human desires into the very purposes and grace of God, not a change wrought by us in the mind and will of God - God forbid that we should ever, to our confusion, secure such a result as that! - but it is in essence a change wrought by God in us, helping us to say, "Thy will be done!" Let it be borne m mind that this privilege of learning and uttering in our prayers the forgiving love of God, upon the conditions of repentance and faith and a forgiving spirit, is not confined to Peter, but conferred on all the disciples, nay, upon any two of them who should agree to pray with the sinning brother for forgiveness. This great law of love, prayer, and forgiveness was doubtless given for all time. Our Lord, in this repetition of a promise made on an earlier occasion, emits all reference to the binding in heaven of what is bound on earth. Yet he does not repeal the promise, but rather specifies the occasions on which the disciples would find that most frequently they would have to exercise it. Whosesoever sins ye, etc. It is as much as to say - Announce boldly remission of sins on conditions of faith and repentance (<a href="/luke/24-47.htm">Luke 24:47</a>) "to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Your forgiveness even of my murderers, your forgiveness of' Samaritans and publicans, of chief priests and Pharisees, of Greeks and Jews, of those that stone you and persecute you; as well as your announcement of the infinite compassion of God, shall be justified and ratified in heaven. This has been the divinest function of the Church and of the disciples of Christ ever since. There is no case that we can find in the New Testament in which the apostles as an order of men, or the ministers of the Church as such, assumed in any other way the power of personally forgiving, in the stead of God, the specific sins of any individuals. We cannot here trace the matter into the controversies that have arisen as to the power of a specially ordered ministry to absolve personally individual sinners from the consequences of their sin against God. Spiritual communion with Christ, personal reception from Christ himself of his own Spirit, is the highest guarantee of power to proclaim with emancipating effect the amnesty of love, or to utter with subduing might the terrors of the Lord. <a href="/commentaries/john/20-22.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[When] καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. He had said εἰπὼν (eipōn) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. this, τοῦτο (touto) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. He breathed on [them] ἐνεφύσησεν (enephysēsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1720.htm">Strong's 1720: </a> To breathe into, breathe upon. From en and phusao; to blow at or on. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. said, λέγει (legei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. “Receive Λάβετε (Labete) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2983.htm">Strong's 2983: </a> (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of. [the] Holy Ἅγιον (Hagion) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_40.htm">Strong's 40: </a> Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred. Spirit. Πνεῦμα (Pneuma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4151.htm">Strong's 4151: </a> Wind, breath, spirit. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/20-22.htm">John 20:22 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/20-22.htm">John 20:22 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/20-22.htm">John 20:22 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/20-22.htm">John 20:22 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/20-22.htm">John 20:22 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/20-22.htm">John 20:22 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/20-22.htm">John 20:22 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/20-22.htm">John 20:22 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/20-22.htm">John 20:22 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/20-22.htm">John 20:22 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/20-22.htm">NT Gospels: John 20:22 When he had said this he breathed (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/20-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 20:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 20:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/20-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 20:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 20:23" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>