John 20:23 NIV

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 20:23

Whose soever sins ye remit ,.... God only can forgive sins, and Christ being God, has a power to do so likewise; but he never communicated any such power to his apostles; nor did they ever assume any such power to themselves, or pretend to exercise it; it is the mark of antichrist, to attempt anything of the kind; who, in so doing, usurps the divine prerogative, places himself in his seat, and shows himself as if he was God: but this is to be understood only in a doctrinal, or ministerial... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:23

Whose soever sins ye remit - See the notes on Matthew 16:19 ; Matthew 18:18 . It is certain God alone can forgive sins; and it would not only be blasphemous, but grossly absurd, to say that any creature could remit the guilt of a transgression which had been committed against the Creator. The apostles received from the Lord the doctrine of reconciliation, and the doctrine of condemnation. They who believed on the Son of God, in consequence of their preaching, had their sins remitted; and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:23

Verse 23 23.To all whose sins you shall remit. Here, unquestionably, our Lord has embraced, in a few words, the sum of the Gospel; for we must not separate this power of forgiving sins from the office of teaching, with which it is closely connected in this passage. Christ had said a little before, As the living Father hath sent me, so I also send you (207) He now makes a declaration of what is intended and what is meant by this embassy, only he interwove with that declaration what was... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 20:19-23

The first Lord's day evening. The most wonderful and memorable day in the world's history was drawing to a close. The sun, whose rising beams had shone upon the empty tomb, the affrighted guards, the anxious sorrowing women, had now set. I. THE NARRATIVE INTRODUCES US TO AN ANXIOUS COMPANY . Ten apostles and some of their intimate friends and fellow-believers were gathered together, drawn by a community of interest in their unseen Savior. They had a common memory, a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 20:21-23

(4) Peace, spiration of the Holy Spirit, and conference of power to remit or retain sin. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 20:22-23

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 Genesis 2:7 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... read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 20:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:23

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:23

The Pulpit Commentary - John 20:1-31

The Pulpit Commentary - John 20:19-23

The Pulpit Commentary - John 20:19-23

The Pulpit Commentary - John 20:21-23

The Pulpit Commentary - John 20:22-23

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