Devine Scripture

John 20:22

What does John 20:22 mean?

A plain-English look at John 20:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 20:22 means

After commissioning them, Jesus performed a symbolic act: He breathed on them and said, "Receive ye the Holy Spirit." This action directly echoes God breathing life into Adam at creation, signifying a new spiritual creation and the impartation of new life and divine presence. This specific giving of the Holy Spirit was for their immediate empowerment for understanding and witness, an initial endowment distinct from the fuller outpouring at Pentecost, equipping them for their foundational ministry.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when he had said this, breathing on them, he said to them, Let the Holy Spirit come on you:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and this having said, he breathed on <FI>them<Fi> , and saith to them, `Receive the Holy Spirit;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And having said this, he breathed into [them], and says to them, Receive [the] Holy Spirit:

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' commissioning of the disciples to continue His work. The act of breathing on them and imparting the Holy Spirit is a crucial moment of divine empowerment, directly linking their mission to supernatural enablement. This event sets the stage for their authority in the next verse, providing the spiritual foundation for their ministry.

v.21Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace be unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

v.22This passage

v.23whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 2:4

    And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

  • Acts 2:38

    And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

  • Genesis 2:7

    And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

  • Acts 4:8

    Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders,

  • John 16:7

    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 unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you.

  • John 14:16

    And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever,

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