John 20:22
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus' act of breathing on them isn't just a symbolic gesture, it’s a powerful echo of God breathing life into Adam, signifying a new creation for His disciples. The Greek word for "spirit" also means "breath," so Jesus is directly linking this infusion of the Holy Spirit to His own life-giving power, not just as a promise, but as an immediate empowerment.
Just moments after showing the disciples his resurrected body and calming their fears, Jesus acts out a powerful, symbolic gesture. He breathes on them, echoing God's creation of humanity, and commands them to "Receive the Holy Spirit." This act serves as a significant promise, an immediate pledge that they will soon be empowered by the Spirit for the mission He is sending them on.
Why did Jesus breathe on his disciples? It wasn't just a gentle puff of air. This action echoes back to the very beginning of humanity.
A Echo of Genesis
When Jesus breathed on his disciples, it was a deeply symbolic act. The original Greek word used here is found only once in the New Testament, but it powerfully connects to the creation account in Genesis.
This act shows that Jesus is bringing about a new humanity, empowered by the very Spirit of God.
Was this the full outpouring of the Spirit they'd been promised? The disciples received something significant, but it was also a preview.
A Pledge, Not the Fullness
Jesus' breathing on the disciples and saying, 'Receive the Holy Spirit,' was a profound moment, but it's crucial to understand its place in God's plan.
Understand the original words
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.
This moment, happening soon after Jesus' resurrection and before Pentecost, highlights Jesus' divine authority and His deliberate act of conveying the Spirit as an initial empowerment for His disciples' future ministry.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Resurrection
Jesus Christ is resurrected from the dead, marking the central event of Christian faith. This victory over death is the foundation for His ongoing work and the empowerment of His followers.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus Appears to Disciples
Following His resurrection, Jesus appears to His disciples, who are gathered in fear. He commissions them and grants them peace, initiating their spiritual equipping for ministry.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Ascends to Heaven
Jesus commissions His disciples and then ascends into heaven, promising the coming of the Holy Spirit. This marks His final earthly departure and His return to the Father's right hand.
c. 30 AD
The Promise of the Spirit
Jesus promises His disciples that they will receive the Holy Spirit, empowering them for service. This promise is fulfilled shortly after His ascension, preparing them for their mission.
This passage parallels the 'breathing' action by describing God breathing life into the first man, Adam, establishing a powerful link between divine breath and the impartation of life.
Ezekiel 37:9In this Old Testament prophecy, God commands Ezekiel to 'breathe' upon the dry bones, asking the breath to come from the four winds and make them live, mirroring the impartation of life through the Spirit.
Acts 1:4Jesus tells his disciples to wait for the 'promise of the Father' after His ascension, which refers to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, directly connecting this moment to a future, more powerful bestowal.
Acts 2:1-4This passage describes the promised outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, where the disciples were filled and empowered, showing the fulfillment of Jesus' command and promise in John 20:22.
John 3:8Jesus compares the Spirit to the wind, which cannot be seen but whose effects are felt, highlighting the invisible yet powerful nature of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is here impartation.
barnesJohn 20:22: "And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:"
He breathed on them - It was customary for the prophets to use some significant act to represent the nature of their message. See Jeremiah 13 ; Jeremiah 18 , etc. In this case the act of breathing was used to represent the nature of the influence that would come upon them, and the source of that influence. When man was created, God breathed into him the breath of life, Genesis 2:7 . The…
bengelJohn 20:22: "And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:"
John 20:22 . Καὶ ) and forthwith.— ἐνεφύσησε , He breathed upon them) infusing into them a new vigour of life. This was more removed from them, than had he kissed them, and yet it was altogether efficacious. After His resurrection He did not touch mortals, although He allowed His disciples to handle His person. So Ezekiel 37:9 , ἐλθὲ τὸ πνεῦμα , καὶ ἐμφύσησον εἰς τοὺς νεκροὺς τούτους ,…
Jesus' act of breathing on them isn't just a symbolic gesture, it’s a powerful echo of God breathing life into Adam, signifying a new creation for His disciples. The Greek word for "spirit" also means "breath," so Jesus is directly linking this infusion of the Holy Spirit to His own life-giving power, not just as a promise, but as an immediate empowerment.
Just moments after showing the disciples his resurrected body and calming their fears, Jesus acts out a powerful, symbolic gesture. He breathes on them, echoing God's creation of humanity, and commands them to "Receive the Holy Spirit." This act serves as a significant promise, an immediate pledge that they will soon be empowered by the Spirit for the mission He is sending them on.
Just moments after showing the disciples his resurrected body and calming their fears, Jesus acts out a powerful, symbolic gesture. He breathes on them, echoing God's creation of humanity, and commands them to "Receive the Holy Spirit." This act serves as a significant promise, an immediate pledge that they will soon be empowered by the Spirit for the mission He is sending them on.
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Jesus didn't just commission his disciples; he immediately equipped them. What was the purpose of this impartation of the Spirit?
Empowered for Service
The breath Jesus imparted was directly linked to the mission he had just given them: "As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you" (John 20:21).
c. 30 AD
The Day of Pentecost
Ten days after Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples in power. This event, also known as the birthday of the Church, equips them to boldly proclaim the Gospel.
"And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit." — Jesus' act of breathing on them isn't just a symbolic gesture, it’s a powerful echo of God breathing life into Adam, signifying a new creation for His disciples. The Greek word for "spirit" also mean…
