Jesus repeats "Peace be with you" not just as a greeting, but to ground their new mission in His peace. He emphasizes that just as the Father commissioned Him with a specific purpose, He is now commissioning them, using a word that highlights their delegated authority. This isn't just a casual sending; it's a divine mandate mirroring His own.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just revealed himself to his disciples after his resurrection, showing them his hands and side to prove it's really him. He repeats his greeting of "Peace be with you" not just as a casual hello, but as a solemn commissioning, echoing the Father's original mission of Jesus to the world. Now, Jesus is sending them out with the same authority and purpose, empowered by the Holy Spirit he's about to give them.
Why does Jesus say 'Peace be with you' a second time right after the resurrection? It’s more than just a greeting; it’s the very foundation of the mission He's about to give.
A Peace That Renews
Jesus doesn't just wish the disciples well; He gives them peace. This isn't just a fleeting feeling but a profound state of being, rooted in His victory over sin and death.
This peace isn't a reward for their faith, but a gift from the risen Christ, empowering them for what’s next.
Jesus says, 'As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.' What does this divine blueprint look like, and how are the disciples meant to follow it?
Divine Delegation
The mission Jesus gives His disciples is a direct echo of His own commission from the Father. It’s a powerful model, showing both the purpose and the of their future work.
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Understand the original words
eirēnē · Greek Noun
The Hebrew concept of shalom signifies not merely the absence of war, but wholeness, harmony, prosperity, and total well-being in relationship with God and others. In the New Testament, it represents the reconciliation between God and humanity established through Christ.
apostellō · Greek Verb
In a theological context, this refers to the act of commission or authorization by God. It implies the divine initiative in redemption, where the Sender grants authority and purpose to the one being sent to fulfill a specific mission.
pneuma hagion · Greek Noun phrase
The third person of the Trinity, fully divine, who applies the work of salvation to believers. The Holy Spirit indwells the Church, empowering, guiding, and sanctifying believers to carry out the mission of Christ.
aphiēmi · Greek Verb
The act of releasing an offender from the debt or guilt caused by wrongdoing. Biblically, it is rooted in God’s grace and is the process of reconciliation made possible through Christ's sacrifice.
hamartia · Greek Noun
An arch-rebel against God and His holiness; it represents the state of missing the mark of God's standard. Sin alienates humanity from God and requires an atonement, which is provided only by Jesus Christ.
This commission, given shortly after the resurrection, connects the disciples' mission directly to Jesus' own divine purpose and empowers them with the Holy Spirit.
c. AD 30— this verse
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus is crucified and then rises from the dead, the foundational events of the Christian faith.
c. AD 30
Jesus Appears to Disciples
Following His resurrection, Jesus repeatedly appears to His followers, calming their fears and commissioning them.
c. AD 30
Jesus Breathes on Disciples
Jesus imparts the Holy Spirit to His disciples, a foundational moment for their future ministry.
c. AD 33
The Day of Pentecost
The Holy Spirit descends powerfully upon the disciples, empowering them to preach the Gospel.
c. AD 33-60s
Early Church Spreads the Gospel
The apostles and early believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, evangelize across the Roman Empire.
Jesus prays to the Father, 'As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.' This highlights the parallel between the Father's sending of Jesus and Jesus' subsequent sending of his followers, underscoring the divine authority and purpose behind their mission.
Isaiah 61:1This prophetic passage describes the Spirit of the Lord anointing the servant 'to preach good news to the poor' and 'to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.' This echoes the mission Jesus is commissioning his disciples for, acting as His ambassadors.
Matthew 28:19-20Jesus gives the Great Commission, stating, 'Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.' This directly parallels the sending commission given in John 20:21, outlining the disciples' task and Jesus' promise to be with them.
2 Corinthians 5:20Paul writes, 'We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.' This passage clearly shows how the disciples, like Paul, are sent to carry out a ministry of reconciliation, mirroring Jesus' own mission.
barnesJohn 20:21: "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."
As my Father hath sent me - As God sent me to preach, to be persecuted, and to suffer; to make known his will, and to offer pardon to men, so I send you. This is the design and the extent of the commission of the ministers of the Lord Jesus. He is their model; and they will be successful only as they study his character and imitate his example. This commission he proceeds to confirm by…
vincentJohn 20:21: "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."
Hath sent (ἀπέσταλκεν)Note the distinction between this verb and that applied to the sending of the disciples (πέμπω). See on John 1:6.
Jesus repeats "Peace be with you" not just as a greeting, but to ground their new mission in His peace. He emphasizes that just as the Father commissioned Him with a specific purpose, He is now commissioning them, using a word that highlights their delegated authority. This isn't just a casual sending; it's a divine mandate mirroring His own.
Jesus has just revealed himself to his disciples after his resurrection, showing them his hands and side to prove it's really him. He repeats his greeting of "Peace be with you" not just as a casual hello, but as a solemn commissioning, echoing the Father's original mission of Jesus to the world. Now, Jesus is sending them out with the same authority and purpose, empowered by the Holy Spirit he's about to give them.
Jesus has just revealed himself to his disciples after his resurrection, showing them his hands and side to prove it's really him. He repeats his greeting of "Peace be with you" not just as a casual hello, but as a solemn commissioning, echoing the Father's original mission of Jesus to the world. Now, Jesus is sending them out with the same authority and purpose, empowered by the Holy Spirit he's about to give them.
"Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgive…" — Jesus repeats "Peace be with you" not just as a greeting, but to ground their new mission in His peace. He emphasizes that just as the Father commissioned Him with a specific purpose, He is now com…
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Last reviewed October 2026
