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John 20

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.

So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

What does John 20:23 mean?

Explanation

John 20:23 is a verse from the New Testament of the Christian Bible that contains a statement Jesus made to His disciples after His resurrection.

The verse reads, "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." On the surface, this verse suggests that Jesus gave His disciples the authority to forgive sins or to withhold forgiveness.

The literal meaning is clear, forgiveness or retention of sins is somehow connected to the actions of the disciples.

The deeper meaning has been the subject of interpretation within Christian denominities.

It's commonly seen as authority given to the apostles, and, by extension, to church leaders, to discern and declare when forgiveness is appropriate.

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Historical Context

The Gospel of John is believed to have been written towards the end of the first century.

This period was marked by tensions between emerging Christian communities and the surrounding Jewish and Roman cultures.

The statement made by Jesus in this verse occurs during one of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances.

It is part of a larger narrative in which Jesus commissions His disciples to continue His work. The disciples are receiving the authority and the guidance from Jesus to carry on with His mission after He ascends to heaven.

Theological Insights

From a Catholic perspective, this verse is often used to support the sacrament of confession, with priests acting in the apostolic tradition to forgive sins.

Many Protestant denominations, however, interpret this passage more symbolically, understanding the apostles' role as proclaimers of the Gospel, which offers forgiveness through Jesus Christ to those who believe.

Consequently, the "remitting" and "retaining" of sins is seen not as a clerical authority but as the outcome of one's response to the Gospel message.

Practical Applications

This verse can play a role in informing how individuals approach the concept of forgiveness within the Christian community.

Believers may see it as a directive to be agents of reconciliation, encouraging one another to seek forgiveness and to forgive.

It can also urge church leaders to take seriously their role in guiding and advising their congregations on issues of sin and repentance.

Cross-References

Matthew 16:19: "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."
Matthew 18:18: "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."
2 Corinthians 2:10: "To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;"

Language Study

The key words in this verse, originally written in Greek, are "remit" (aphēmi) and "retain" (krateō).

"Aphēmi" can mean to send away, release, let go, pardon, or forgive.

"Krateō" suggests holding fast, seizing or grasping firmly. The nuances in these words reveal the gravity of the authority Jesus was bestowing – a tangible action of either releasing or holding onto sins.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This concept of authority to forgive sins is unique to Christianity when compared to ancient myths or other religious interpretations.

For instance, in the Judaic system from which Christianity emerged, forgiveness was sought through sacrifices and the priesthood, but the idea of human figures being given explicit authority to forgive sins is not present.

In many other religions and cultures, forgiveness is either a divine prerogative, a personal matter, or something addressed through various rituals or laws rather than through individuals' authority.

Scientific Perspectives

While science primarily deals with the material realm and does not typically intersect with theological concepts such as sin and forgiveness, psychology does engage with the effects of forgiveness on mental health.

Psychological studies have shown that forgiveness can lead to improved wellbeing and mental health, reduced stress, and even better physical health outcomes.

These effects give credence to the value, even outside of religious contexts, of practices related to forgiveness.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have various perspectives on John 20:23.

Some, like William Barclay, suggest that Jesus was giving the disciples the authority to declare the terms on which God would forgive sin.

Others, such as N.T.

Wright, interpret this verse as part of a larger theme in John's Gospel concerning the role of the disciples as witnesses to Jesus, with the ability to carry out divine tasks in the world.

Conservative evangelical scholars often emphasize the proclamation of the Gospel's role in forgiveness rather than a personal sacerdotal function.

John 20

John 20

What does John 20:23 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 20:23 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?