John 20:23

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Whose {G5100} soever {G302} sins {G266} ye remit {G863}, they are remitted {G863} unto them {G846}; and whose {G5100} soever {G302} sins ye retain {G2902}, they are retained {G2902}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If you forgive someone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you hold them, they are held.”

Berean Standard Bible

If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 20:23 presents Jesus' post-resurrection commission to His disciples, empowering them with a declarative authority concerning the remission or retention of sins. This authority is not an inherent power to forgive or condemn, but rather the Spirit-empowered capacity to proclaim God's verdict on sin, based on an individual's response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It underscores the Church's vital role as an ambassador, announcing what God has already determined in heaven through Christ's atoning work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the immediate post-resurrection narrative in [John 20](/john/20 "John 20 - Jesus' Resurrection and Appearances"). Having just appeared to His disciples in the Upper Room, showing them His hands and side as proof of His identity, Jesus first pronounces peace upon them. He then commissions them, stating, "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you" ([John 20:21](/john/20-21 "Jesus' Commission to His Disciples")). Immediately following this, He breathes on them, saying, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost" ([John 20:22](/john/20-22 "Jesus Breathes the Holy Spirit on His Disciples")). Verse 23, therefore, specifies a crucial aspect of this Spirit-empowered commission, detailing the nature of the authority granted for their future ministry of reconciliation and gospel proclamation. It is a direct consequence and expression of the divine sending and the Holy Spirit's enabling.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Jewish tradition, particularly among rabbis, there was a concept of "binding and loosing" which referred to the authority to declare something permissible or forbidden according to the Law, or to excommunicate or readmit someone to the community. While not directly about forgiving sins in the divine sense, this cultural understanding of delegated authority to make declarations had parallels. Jesus' words here, given to His disciples, echo and transcend this, granting them authority rooted in His own divine power. The early Christian community would understand this as a profound delegation of authority for the proclamation of the New Covenant, where the terms of forgiveness (through faith in Christ) and non-forgiveness (through rejection of Christ) were to be declared. The breath of Jesus, reminiscent of God breathing life into Adam in [Genesis 2:7](/genesis/2-7 "God Breathes Life into Adam"), signifies a new creation and a new spiritual life, empowering them for this specific ministry.
* **Key Themes:** John 20:23 contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Authority and Delegation**. Jesus, possessing all authority as the resurrected Son of God, delegates a specific spiritual authority to His chosen apostles. This authority is not inherent to them but is a conferred power, rooted in His commission and the enabling of the Holy Spirit. Secondly, it underscores the **Ministry of Reconciliation**, a theme powerfully articulated in [2 Corinthians 5:18-20](/2_corinthians/5-18-20 "The Ministry of Reconciliation"). The disciples are empowered to declare the terms by which humanity can be reconciled to God through Christ's atoning work. Thirdly, the verse emphasizes the **Role of the Holy Spirit** in empowering believers for ministry, a promise Jesus had made throughout His farewell discourse (e.g., [John 14:26](/john/14-26 "The Holy Spirit as Teacher and Helper")). Finally, it illuminates the **Declarative Role of the Church** as God's instrument in the world, proclaiming the Gospel and its eternal consequences, thereby acting as an ambassador for Christ, declaring God's verdict on sin based on an individual's response to Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sins (Greek, _hamartía'_):** From `hamartánō`, meaning "to miss the mark," "to err," or "to transgress." In this context, it refers to moral failings, transgressions against God's law, and the state of alienation from God. The term encapsulates both individual acts of wrongdoing and the inherent human condition of sinfulness that separates humanity from a holy God.
* **remit (Greek, _aphíēmi'_):** From `apó` (from) and `híēmi` (to send), meaning "to send away," "to let go," "to release," or "to forgive." Here, it signifies the act of releasing someone from the guilt, penalty, or power of sin. It implies a complete cancellation or dismissal of the charge of sin, leading to reconciliation with God.
* **retain (Greek, _kratéō'_):** From `krátos` (strength), meaning "to use strength," "to seize," "to hold fast," or "to keep." In this verse, it denotes the opposite of remission—to hold onto, to keep in bondage, or to withhold forgiveness. It signifies that the guilt and penalty of sin remain upon an individual.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Whose soever sins ye remit":** This clause introduces the first part of the delegated authority. The phrase "whose soever" (G5100 `tìs` and G302 `án`) indicates a general, indefinite scope, applying to anyone. The verb "remit" (G863 `aphíēmi`) signifies the act of "sending away" or "forgiving" sins. Crucially, the verb `aphíēmi` is in the aorist subjunctive, indicating a potential or conditional action. The disciples are given the authority to declare the remission of sins.
* **"they are remitted unto them;":** This is the consequence of the first clause. The verb "are remitted" (G863 `aphíēmi`) is in the perfect passive indicative. The perfect tense indicates a completed action with ongoing results, while the passive voice signifies that the action is performed by an external agent (God). This grammatical construction is vital: it means the disciples do not *initiate* the forgiveness, but rather *declare* what has already been accomplished or determined in heaven by God. Their declaration on earth is a confirmation of God's prior verdict, which is based on an individual's repentance and faith in Christ.
* **"and whose soever sins ye retain,":** This clause presents the antithetical second part of the authority. The disciples are also empowered to declare the retention of sins. The verb "retain" (G2902 `kratéō`) means "to hold fast" or "to keep." Like "remit," this is in the aorist subjunctive, indicating a potential or conditional declaration by the disciples.
* **"they are retained.":** This is the consequence of the second clause. Similar to "are remitted," the verb "are retained" (G2902 `kratéō`) is in the perfect passive indicative. This again emphasizes that the retention of sins is a completed action with ongoing results, performed by God. The disciples' declaration on earth confirms God's prior judgment—that sins remain unforgiven for those who do not repent and believe in Christ. Their role is to announce God's righteous judgment, not to personally condemn.

#### Literary Devices
John 20:23 powerfully employs **Chiasmus** and **Declarative Language** to convey its profound meaning. The structure of the verse, "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained," forms a clear chiastic pattern (A-B-A'-B'). "Remit" (A) is followed by "remitted" (B), and then the parallel "retain" (A') is followed by "retained" (B'). This literary device emphasizes the symmetrical and comprehensive nature of the authority granted, highlighting the direct correspondence between the disciples' declaration and God's heavenly action. Furthermore, the verse is saturated with **Declarative Language**. The disciples are not given the power to *perform* forgiveness or retention, but to *declare* it. The perfect passive indicative tense of "are remitted" and "are retained" underscores this: the actions have already been completed by God, and the disciples' role is to announce God's verdict based on the individual's response to the Gospel. This emphasizes the authority of the message they bear, which is God's own truth, rather than any inherent power in the messengers themselves.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 20:23 is a cornerstone passage for understanding the nature of the Church's authority and mission. It clarifies that the power delegated to the disciples is not a personal, inherent ability to forgive sins, which belongs to God alone, but rather a declarative authority. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Church is commissioned to preach the Gospel, which sets forth the terms of salvation. When people repent and believe in Jesus Christ, the Church declares them forgiven, reflecting God's prior act of remission in heaven. Conversely, when individuals reject Christ, the Church declares their sins retained, reflecting God's righteous judgment. This means the Church acts as an ambassador, faithfully proclaiming God's truth and the eternal consequences of accepting or rejecting Christ's atoning work. It highlights the profound responsibility and privilege of participating in God's redemptive plan, serving as the voice through which God's verdict is made known to humanity.

* [Matthew 18:18](/matthew/18-18 "Binding and Loosing Authority in the Church")
* [2 Corinthians 5:18-20](/2_corinthians/5-18-20 "The Ministry of Reconciliation")
* [Acts 10:43](/acts/10-43 "Peter's Proclamation of Forgiveness Through Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 20:23 offers profound insights for believers today, emphasizing our vital role in the ongoing mission of God. It reminds us that as followers of Christ, empowered by the same Holy Spirit that Jesus breathed upon His disciples, we are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation. Our authority is not to personally absolve or condemn, but to faithfully and boldly declare the terms of God's forgiveness and judgment as revealed in the Gospel. This means we are entrusted with the most urgent message in the world: that forgiveness of sins and eternal life are found only through faith in Jesus Christ, and that rejection of Him leads to the retention of sins. This truth should ignite within us a passionate commitment to evangelism and discipleship, recognizing the eternal stakes involved. It also underscores the importance of the Church's teaching ministry, ensuring that the message proclaimed is consistent with biblical truth, accurately reflecting God's character and plan of salvation. We are called to live out this truth, demonstrating the transforming power of God's grace and inviting others into the freedom of forgiveness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the "declarative" nature of the Church's authority in John 20:23 shape your view of evangelism and ministry?**
* **In what ways can you, as an individual believer, participate in this "ministry of reconciliation" by declaring God's truth about sin and forgiveness?**
* **How does the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in John 20:22, relate to the authority described in John 20:23 for believers today?**
* **What are the implications of this verse for understanding the seriousness of both accepting and rejecting the Gospel message?**

### FAQ
**Does John 20:23 give humans the power to forgive sins?**

Answer: No, John 20:23 does not grant humans the inherent power to forgive sins. That power belongs to God alone, as highlighted in passages like [Mark 2:7](/mark/2-7 "Only God Can Forgive Sins"). The authority given to the disciples is declarative, not originating. The Greek verbs for "remitted" and "retained" are in the perfect passive indicative tense, meaning the action has already been completed by God in heaven. The disciples, and by extension the Church, are empowered by the Holy Spirit to *declare* God's verdict: to announce forgiveness to those who repent and believe in Jesus, and to announce that sins are retained for those who reject Him. They are God's ambassadors, proclaiming His terms of salvation and judgment.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of "binding and loosing" found in Matthew's Gospel?**

Answer: John 20:23 is closely parallel to the "binding and loosing" authority granted to Peter in [Matthew 16:19](/matthew/16-19 "The Keys of the Kingdom") and to the disciples in [Matthew 18:18](/matthew/18-18 "Binding and Loosing Authority in the Church"). In all these instances, the authority is declarative and rooted in God's prior determination. "Binding and loosing" in a rabbinic context referred to declaring something permissible or forbidden, or excommunicating/reinstating. In the New Testament, applied to the Church, it signifies the authority to declare God's will concerning salvation, sin, and church discipline, based on the truth of the Gospel. Both John 20:23 and the "binding and loosing" passages emphasize that the Church's declarations on earth are valid because they align with what God has already determined in heaven through God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 20:23 finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The authority to remit or retain sins is not an arbitrary power bestowed upon men, but a delegated authority that flows directly from Christ's own unique power as the Son of God. It was Jesus who declared, "the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins" ([Mark 2:10](/mark/2-10 "The Son of Man Has Authority to Forgive Sins")), a power that astonished His contemporaries. His death on the cross was the ultimate act of atonement, making the remission of sins possible for all who believe ([Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Redemption Through His Blood")). Therefore, the disciples' commission to declare the remission or retention of sins is entirely dependent on Christ's completed work. They are not dispensing their own forgiveness, but proclaiming the forgiveness that Christ alone secured through His sacrifice and resurrection. The "remission" they declare is the direct result of Christ's triumph over sin and death, and the "retention" is the consequence of rejecting the One through whom alone salvation is found ([Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Salvation Through No Other Name")). Thus, John 20:23 serves as a powerful reminder that all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Christ ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "All Authority Given to Jesus")), and the Church's ministry is simply to faithfully proclaim His finished work and its eternal implications for humanity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

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.

Mark 2:5

When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

Mark 2:10

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

Acts 13:38

Be it known unto you therefore, men [and] brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

Acts 13:39

And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Acts 10:43

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.