John 20:23

Context

On the evening of the day of the resurrection, the disciples had gathered behind closed doors for fear of the Jews. Jesus appeared among them and said, "Peace be unto you." He then told them that as the Father had sent him, so he was sending them (v. 21). He breathed on them and said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost" (v. 22). Verse 23 follows directly from this commissioning and the giving of the Spirit. Many interpreters see in the scene an echo of Genesis 2:7, where God breathed the breath of life into man.

Interpretations

• Catholic reading: The Catholic Church regards this verse as the basis for the authority to forgive sins that Jesus gave to the apostles and to their successors, the bishops and priests, and teaches that it marks the institution of the sacrament of penance (confession). The Church cites it together with the power of "binding and loosing" in Matthew 16:19 and 18:18.
• Lutheran and Anglican readings: Lutherans call this the "Office of the Keys." They understand it as the pastor's declaration of the forgiveness of sins by the command of Christ, and they have retained private confession as a recommended practice. Anglicans reflect this authority in the priest's pronouncement of absolution during worship.
• Reformed and evangelical readings: These traditions hold that the authority to forgive sins lies not in a particular office but in the proclamation of the gospel entrusted to the whole church. This authority consists in declaring forgiveness to those who believe the gospel and in announcing to those who do not believe that their sins remain. These traditions also regard church discipline as an exercise of this authority. In keeping with the principle of the priesthood of all believers, they emphasize that every believer can convey forgiveness to others.

Points of Debate

Some scholars point out that in the Greek, the verbs rendered "they are remitted" and "they are retained" are perfect passives, so the first may be translated in the sense of "have already been forgiven." On this basis, some Protestant interpreters argue that the disciples' declaration confirms what God has already done. Catholic interpreters hold that the grammar does not negate the reality of the authority conferred. Interpretations also differ on whether the words were addressed only to the eleven apostles or to the wider group of disciples who were present.

Related Passages

• Matthew 16:19
• Matthew 18:18
• 2 Corinthians 5:18–20
• James 5:16