Devine Scripture

John 20:23

What does John 20:23 mean?

A plain-English look at John 20:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 20:23 means

Jesus further expounded on the authority He was entrusting to His disciples, stating, "Whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." This declaration signifies the spiritual authority granted to the apostles, guided by the Holy Spirit, to proclaim forgiveness based on the Gospel message, and to discern and uphold God's truth regarding repentance and sin. It's a statement of ministerial authority to declare God's will, not a personal power to intrinsically forgive sins.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Any to whom you give forgiveness, will be made free from their sins; and any from whom you keep back forgiveness, will still be in their sins.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

if of any ye may loose the sins, they are loosed to them; if of any ye may retain, they have been retained.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them: and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted to them; whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained.

Context

This verse directly builds on the impartation of the Holy Spirit in verse 22, clarifying the specific authority given to the disciples. This pronouncement details a crucial aspect of their empowered ministry. The passage here contrasts with Thomas's absence, setting up his subsequent doubt and Jesus' later appearance to address it.

v.22And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit:

v.23This passage

v.24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

Cross references

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

  • Acts 13:38

    Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins:

  • Mark 2:5

    And Jesus seeing their faith saith unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins are forgiven.

  • 1 Timothy 1:20

    of whom is Hymenæus and Alexander; whom I delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.

  • 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.

  • Matthew 16:19

    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, What things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

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