John 20:21-22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 20:19-25

The infallible proof of Christ's resurrection was his showing himself alive, Acts 1:3. In these verses, we have an account of his first appearance to the college of the disciples, on the day on which he rose. He had sent them the tidings of his resurrection by trusty and credible messengers; but to show his love to them, and confirm their faith in him, he came himself, and gave them all the assurances they could desire of the truth of it, that they might not have it by hearsay only, and at... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 20:19-23

20:19-23 Late on that day, the first day of the week, when for fear of the Jews the doors had been locked in the place where the disciples were, Jesus came and stood in the midst of them, and said: "Peace be to you." And when he had said this he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced because they had seen the Lord. Jesus again said to them: "Peace to you. Even as the Father sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them: "Receive... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 20:21

Then said Jesus to them again ,.... The words he said before: peace be unto you ; which he repeated, to put them out of their fright, by reason of which they returned him no answer; and to raise and engage their attention to what he was about to say; and to pacify their consciences, distressed with a sense of their conduct towards him; and with a view to the Gospel of peace, he was now going to send them to preach: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you ; Christ's mission of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 20:22

And when he had said this ,.... That is, declared he sent them forth in like manner as his Father sent him: he breathed on them ; in allusion to God's breathing the breath of life into man, at his creation; or rather, to the Spirit himself, who is the breath of God, and proceeds from him, as from the Father; and who breathes both upon persons in regeneration, and in qualifying for ministerial service, at the instance and influence of Christ: and such an opinion the Jews have of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:21

Even so send I you - As I was sent to proclaim the truth of the Most High, and to convert sinners to God, I send you for the very same purpose, clothed with the very same authority, and influenced by the very same Spirit. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:22

He breathed on them - Intimating, by this, that they were to be made new men, in order to be properly qualified for the work to which he had called them; for in this breathing he evidently alluded to the first creation of man, when God breathed into him the breath of lives, and he became a living soul: the breath or Spirit of God ( אלהים רוח ruach Elohim ) being the grand principle and cause of his spiritual and Divine life. Receive ye the Holy Ghost - From this act of our Lord, the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:21

Verse 21 21.Jesus saith to them again, Peace be to you. This second salutation appears to me to have no other object than that the Lord should receive such a degree of attention as was due to the greatness and importance of the subjects on which he was about to speak. As the Father hath sent me. By these words, Christ, as it were, instals them in the office to which he had previously appointed them. True, they had been already sent throughout Judea, but only as heralds, to issue a command that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:22

Verse 22 22.He breathed on them. Not one of the sons of men is qualified for discharging so difficult an office, and, therefore, Christ prepares the Apostles for it by the grace of his Spirit. And, indeed, to govern the Church of God, to carry the embassy of eternal salvation, to erect the kingdom of God on earth, and to raise men to heaven, is a task far beyond human capacity. We need not be astonished, therefore, that no man is found qualified unless he be inspired by the Holy Spirit; for no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 20:1-31

2. The complete glorification of Jesus in his resurrection. The record pauses for the awful day of that great sabbath, and resumes the marvelous recital when the greatest event in the history of the world is assumed and asserted to have taken place. Heathen and foes admit the fact of the death of Jesus; the evidence is overwhelming, multiform, sufficient to establish itself to the ordinary reason of mankind. It is a matter of indubitable history. The proof was given to all the world; but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 20:19-23

The first appearance of Jesus to his disciples. He meets with them on the evening of the day on which he rose from the dead. I. THE DISCIPLES WERE GATHERED TOGETHER FOR THE MEMORABLE INTERVIEW . 1. Mary's message had evidently brought them together. 2. Their new hopefulness must have inclined them to resume their old collective life. 3. The meeting-place may have been in "the upper room." ( Acts 1:13 .) 4. It was a secret assembly, for the... read more

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