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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 20:23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/20-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/43_Jhn_20_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 20:23 - Jesus Appears to the Disciples" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/20-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/20-23.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.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/20-22.htm" title="John 20:22">◄</a> John 20:23 <a href="/john/20-24.htm" title="John 20:24">►</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"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/john/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />If you forgive anyone&#8217s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />If you might forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you might retain any, they are retained."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; <i>and</i> whose soever <i>sins</i> ye retain, they are retained.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the <i>sins</i> of any, they are retained.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you forgive the sins of any, <i>their sins</i> have been forgiven them; if you retain the <i>sins</i> of any, they have been retained.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“If you forgive the sins of any, <i>their sins</i> have been forgiven them; if you retain the <i>sins</i> of any, they have been retained.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />If you forgive the sins of any, <i>their sins</i> have been forgiven them; if you retain the <i>sins</i> of any, they have been retained.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />If you forgive the sins of anyone they are forgiven [because of their faith]; if you retain <i>the sins</i> of anyone, they are retained [and remain unforgiven because of their unbelief].”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you forgive anyone's sins, they will be forgiven. But if you don't forgive their sins, they will not be forgiven." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Whenever you forgive sins, they are forgiven. Whenever you don't forgive them, they are not forgiven."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If you forgive people's sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If you forgive people's sins, they are forgiven. If you retain people's sins, they are retained."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven; if you retain anyone's sins, they are retained." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Whoever's sins you forgive, they are forgiven them. Whoever's sins you retain, they have been retained."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted to them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />If you remit the sins of any persons, they remain remitted to them. If you bind fast the sins of any, they remain bound."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />if you may forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you may retain of any, they have been retained.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />If you might forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you might retain any, they are retained."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> if of any ye may loose the sins, they are loosed to them; if of any ye may retain, they have been retained.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted to them: whose soever ye retain, they have been retained.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Those whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them, and those whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />If you forgive a man his sins, they shall be forgiven to him; and if you hold a man’s sins, they are held.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/20.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />“If you will forgive a man's sins, they will be forgiven him, and if you hold a man's, they will be held.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/20.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Whosever sins you forgive, they are forgiven them: whosever sins you retain, they are retained.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/20.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Whose sins you may remit, are remitted unto them; whose sins you may retain, have been retained.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/20.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins soever ye retain, they are retained.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/20.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye leave unpardoned, they are lest unpardoned."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />If you remit the sins of any persons, they remain remitted to them. If you bind fast the sins of any, they remain bound."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/20.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted to them; whosesoever <i>sins</i> ye retain, they are retained."<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/20.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><i>and</i><FR> whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; <Fr><i>but</i><FR> whose soever <Fr><i>sins</i><FR> ye retain, they are retained.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/20-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=7226" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/20.htm">Jesus Appears to the Disciples</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/302.htm" title="302: an (Prtcl) -- A primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty.">If</a> <a href="/greek/863.htm" title="863: aphēte (V-ASA-2P) -- From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.">you forgive</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tinōn (IPro-GMP) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">anyone his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tas (Art-AFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/266.htm" title="266: hamartias (N-AFP) -- From hamartano; a sin.">sins,</a> <a href="/greek/863.htm" title="863: apheōntai (V-RIM/P-3P) -- From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.">they are forgiven;</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/302.htm" title="302: an (Prtcl) -- A primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty.">if</a> <a href="/greek/2902.htm" title="2902: kratēte (V-PSA-2P) -- From kratos; to use strength, i.e. Seize or retain.">you withhold forgiveness</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tinōn (IPro-GMP) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">from anyone,</a> <a href="/greek/2902.htm" title="2902: kekratēntai (V-RIM/P-3P) -- From kratos; to use strength, i.e. Seize or retain.">it is withheld.” </a> </span> <span class="reftext">24</span>Now Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/16-19.htm">Matthew 16:19</a></span><br />I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-18.htm">Matthew 18:18</a></span><br />Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/24-47.htm">Luke 24:47</a></span><br />and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-38.htm">Acts 2:38</a></span><br />Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/10-43.htm">Acts 10:43</a></span><br />All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-38.htm">Acts 13:38-39</a></span><br />Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. / Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/2-10.htm">2 Corinthians 2:10</a></span><br />If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-18.htm">2 Corinthians 5:18-20</a></span><br />All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: / that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. / Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-15.htm">James 5:15</a></span><br />And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-9.htm">1 John 1:9</a></span><br />If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-12.htm">1 John 2:12</a></span><br />I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven through His name.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/22-22.htm">Isaiah 22:22</a></span><br />I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/43-25.htm">Isaiah 43:25</a></span><br />I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-22.htm">Isaiah 44:22</a></span><br />I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-34.htm">Jeremiah 31:34</a></span><br />No longer will each man teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Whose soever sins you remit, they are remitted to them; and whose soever sins you retain, they are retained.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/16-19.htm">Matthew 16:19</a></b></br> And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/18-18.htm">Matthew 18:18</a></b></br> Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/2-5.htm">Mark 2:5-10</a></b></br> When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/15-17.htm">Bind</a> <a href="/john/19-40.htm">Bound</a> <a href="/john/20-2.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/luke/23-34.htm">Forgive</a> <a href="/luke/12-10.htm">Forgiven</a> <a href="/luke/24-47.htm">Forgiveness</a> <a href="/john/19-10.htm">Free</a> <a href="/john/11-44.htm">Loose</a> <a href="/john/5-3.htm">Persons</a> <a href="/luke/11-4.htm">Remit</a> <a href="/luke/23-15.htm">Remitted</a> <a href="/luke/8-15.htm">Retain</a> <a href="/daniel/10-16.htm">Retained</a> <a href="/john/9-34.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/john/16-13.htm">Soever</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-3.htm">Whoever's</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/9-14.htm">Bind</a> <a href="/acts/9-2.htm">Bound</a> <a href="/john/21-12.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/acts/8-22.htm">Forgive</a> <a href="/acts/8-22.htm">Forgiven</a> <a href="/acts/2-38.htm">Forgiveness</a> <a href="/acts/2-24.htm">Free</a> <a href="/acts/7-33.htm">Loose</a> <a href="/acts/1-15.htm">Persons</a> <a href="/luke/6-37.htm">Remit</a> <a href="/luke/6-37.htm">Remitted</a> <a href="/romans/1-28.htm">Retain</a> <a href="/philemon/1-13.htm">Retained</a> <a href="/acts/2-38.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/romans/3-19.htm">Soever</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-3.htm">Whoever's</a><div class="vheading2">John 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/20-1.htm">Mary comes to the tomb;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/20-3.htm">so do Peter and John, ignorant of the resurrection.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/20-11.htm">Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/20-19.htm">and to his disciples.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/20-24.htm">The incredulity and confession of Thomas.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/20-30.htm">The Scripture is sufficient to salvation.</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>If you forgive anyone his sins,</b><br>This phrase is part of Jesus' post-resurrection appearance to His disciples. The context is crucial as it follows His resurrection, emphasizing the authority He imparts to His followers. The act of forgiving sins is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, where only God could forgive sins (<a href="/isaiah/43-25.htm">Isaiah 43:25</a>). Here, Jesus extends this authority to His disciples, indicating a new covenantal relationship. This authority is not independent but is exercised under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as seen in the preceding verse where Jesus breathes on them and says, "Receive the Holy Spirit."<p><b>they are forgiven;</b><br>The passive construction "they are forgiven" suggests divine action. The disciples are not forgiving on their own authority but are instruments of God's forgiveness. This aligns with the teaching in <a href="/matthew/16-19.htm">Matthew 16:19</a>, where Jesus gives Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven, symbolizing authority to bind and loose. The forgiveness of sins is a central theme in the New Testament, highlighting the redemptive work of Christ (<a href="/ephesians/1-7.htm">Ephesians 1:7</a>).<p><b>if you withhold forgiveness from anyone,</b><br>The withholding of forgiveness implies discernment and responsibility. This echoes the Jewish practice of binding and loosing, where rabbis would permit or prohibit certain actions. The early church exercised this authority in matters of church discipline, as seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/5.htm">1 Corinthians 5:1-5</a>, where Paul instructs the church to expel a member living in sin. This authority is not arbitrary but is exercised in accordance with God's will and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.<p><b>it is withheld.</b><br>The finality of this statement underscores the seriousness of the authority given to the disciples. It reflects the binding nature of decisions made in the context of church discipline and community life. This authority is meant to maintain the purity and holiness of the church, as seen in the early church's handling of sin and repentance (<a href="/acts/5.htm">Acts 5:1-11</a>). The withholding of forgiveness serves as a call to repentance and restoration, aligning with the broader biblical narrative of God's justice and mercy.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The risen Lord who appears to His disciples, granting them authority and commissioning them for their mission.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a></b><br>The group of Jesus' followers who are present when He appears to them after His resurrection.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where this event takes place, following Jesus' resurrection.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_upper_room.htm">The Upper Room</a></b><br>The likely location where the disciples are gathered when Jesus appears to them.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_resurrection.htm">The Resurrection</a></b><br>The pivotal event of Jesus rising from the dead, which precedes this appearance and commission.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/a/authority_from_christ.htm">Authority from Christ</a></b><br>Jesus grants His disciples authority to forgive sins, indicating the significant role of the Church in the ministry of reconciliation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>This authority is given in the context of Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit on the disciples (<a href="/john/20-22.htm">John 20:22</a>), highlighting the Spirit's empowerment in this ministry.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/forgiveness_and_community.htm">Forgiveness and Community</a></b><br>The passage underscores the importance of forgiveness within the Christian community, reflecting God's forgiveness towards us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/responsibility_and_discernment.htm">Responsibility and Discernment</a></b><br>With authority comes responsibility; the disciples must exercise discernment in forgiving or withholding forgiveness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_gospel_message.htm">The Gospel Message</a></b><br>The authority to forgive sins is tied to the proclamation of the Gospel, emphasizing the need for repentance and faith in Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_confessing_to_a_priest_biblical.htm">Is confessing sins to a priest biblically supported?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_plenary_indulgences.htm">What are plenary indulgences?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_record_of_apostles_judging_israel.htm">Why do we find no historical record to support Jesus’s promise of the apostles sitting on thrones to judge Israel (Matthew 19:28)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_novatianism_in_early_christianity.htm">What defines Novatianism in early Christian history?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) <span class= "bld">Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them . . .</span>--Comp. for the "power of the keys," the Notes on <a href="/matthew/16-19.htm" title="And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.">Matthew 16:19</a>; <a href="/matthew/18-18.htm" title="Truly I say to you, Whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.">Matthew 18:18</a>. Assuming what has there been said, it will be sufficient to add that this power is here immediately connected with the representative character of the disciples as apostles sent by Christ, as He was Himself sent by the Father (<a href="/john/20-21.htm" title="Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be to you: as my Father has sent me, even so send I you.">John 20:21</a>), and that its validity is dependent upon their reception of the Holy Ghost (<a href="/john/20-22.htm" title="And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, Receive you the Holy Ghost:">John 20:22</a>), by whom Christ Himself is present in them (<a href="/john/14-18.htm" title="I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.">John 14:18</a>; <a href="/context/john/16-7.htm" title="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 to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you.">John 16:7-11</a>). Sent as He was sent, they are not sent to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved; but in their work, as in His, men are condemned because the light is come into the world, and men love darkness rather than light. . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/20-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="grk">ἄν</span> <span class="translit">(an)</span><br /><span class="parse">Particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_302.htm">Strong's 302: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you forgive</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀφῆτε</span> <span class="translit">(aphēte)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_863.htm">Strong's 863: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">anyone his</span><br /><span class="grk">τινων</span> <span class="translit">(tinōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> </span><span class="str2">Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sins,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἁμαρτίας</span> <span class="translit">(hamartias)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_266.htm">Strong's 266: </a> </span><span class="str2">From hamartano; a sin.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they are forgiven;</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀφέωνται</span> <span class="translit">(apheōntai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_863.htm">Strong's 863: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="grk">ἄν</span> <span class="translit">(an)</span><br /><span class="parse">Particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_302.htm">Strong's 302: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you withhold [forgiveness]</span><br /><span class="grk">κρατῆτε</span> <span class="translit">(kratēte)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2902.htm">Strong's 2902: </a> </span><span class="str2">From kratos; to use strength, i.e. Seize or retain.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from anyone,</span><br /><span class="grk">τινων</span> <span class="translit">(tinōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> </span><span class="str2">Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it is withheld.”</span><br /><span class="grk">κεκράτηνται</span> <span class="translit">(kekratēntai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2902.htm">Strong's 2902: </a> </span><span class="str2">From kratos; to use strength, i.e. Seize or retain.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/20-23.htm">John 20:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/20-23.htm">John 20:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/20-23.htm">John 20:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/20-23.htm">John 20:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/20-23.htm">John 20:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/20-23.htm">John 20:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/20-23.htm">John 20:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/20-23.htm">John 20:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/20-23.htm">John 20:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/20-23.htm">John 20:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/20-23.htm">NT Gospels: John 20:23 Whoever's sins you forgive they are forgiven (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/20-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 20:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 20:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/20-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 20:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 20:24" /></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>