Bible Strands
John 20:23
If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks directly to the gathered disciples immediately after breathing on them and commanding them to receive the Holy Spirit. This declaration occurs during a post-resurrection appearance before Thomas arrives.
The words — The Greek verb ἀφῆτε (aphēte) means "you may forgive," standing in conditional parallel with the passive ἀφέωνται (apheōntai), literally "they have been forgiven." Both are governed by ἄν (an), meaning "if," which frames the entire statement as a conditional clause.
The thread — The text explicitly states that forgiving or withholding forgiveness corresponds to it being forgiven or withheld. This mechanism mirrors the binding and loosing authority cited in Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:18, and reflects Jesus' own declared power to forgive sins in Mark 2:5.
Why it lands — The text commands the disciples to forgive or withhold forgiveness, asserting that their pronouncement determines the recipient's standing. A reader must either exercise this delegated authority or refuse to act on it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
Cross-references
- Matthew 18:18 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
- Matthew 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
- Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
- Acts 10:43 All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”
- Acts 13:38 Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
- Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- 2 Corinthians 2:6 The punishment imposed on him by the majority is sufficient for him.
- 1 Timothy 1:20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
- 1 Corinthians 5:4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, along with the power of the Lord Jesus,
- Ephesians 2:20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.