And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus' act of breathing on his disciples is a profound echo of God breathing life into Adam, signifying a new creation and a spiritual empowerment. The Greek word for "breath" and "spirit" is the same, making this gesture a tangible sign that they are receiving a fresh outpouring of God's very life and power. This wasn't just a symbolic gesture, but a pledge and impartation of the Holy Spirit that would equip them for the mission He was entrusting them with.
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just moments after appearing to his disciples and assuring them of peace, Jesus now empowers them for their mission. This action of breathing on them, mirroring God breathing life into Adam, symbolizes the infusion of spiritual life and authority they will receive. It serves as an initial impartation and a promise of the greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit they will experience at Pentecost.
Why did Jesus physically breathe on his disciples? It wasn't just a random gesture, but a powerful symbol echoing God's very first act of creation.
Jesus' act of breathing on his disciples is deeply symbolic, intentionally connecting this moment to the creation of the first man, Adam.
The Breath of Life
In Genesis, God 'breathed into the nostrils of the man the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.' This divine breath was the source of Adam's existence.
A New Creation
Now, after his resurrection, Jesus, the 'last Adam' (1 Corinthians 15:45), breathes on his disciples. This act signifies a new creation, a spiritual rebirth that equips them for their mission. Just as God's breath gave life to the first humanity, Jesus' breath here signifies the impartation of the Holy Spirit, the source of spiritual life and power for His followers.
When Jesus said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit,' was this the full outpouring we see at Pentecost, or something else?
The disciples' reception of the Holy Spirit in John 20:22 is best understood as an 'earnest' – a down payment or a first installment – of what would be fully given later at Pentecost.
A Preparatory Endowment
While they had experienced the Spirit before, this moment marked a distinct impartation for their specific mission. It was a sign and pledge from Jesus, assuring them of the Spirit's coming empowerment. The Greek phrasing suggests they were to actively 'take' or 'receive' this gift, implying a willing reception on their part.
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The Fullness to Come
The absence of the definite article before 'Holy Spirit' in the original Greek suggests it wasn't the complete, all-encompassing bestowal of the Spirit seen at Pentecost. This initial gift prepared and equipped them for service, acting as a powerful precursor to the mighty outpouring on the day of Pentecost.
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 of Jesus breathing on his disciples is a powerful, symbolic act that bridges the Old Testament creation account with the New Testament reality of spiritual rebirth. It highlights Jesus' divine authority and serves as a pivotal, though preparatory, bestowal of the Holy Spirit before the more dramatic outpouring at Pentecost.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Resurrection and Appearances
Following his crucifixion, Jesus appeared to his disciples on multiple occasions over a period of 40 days, culminating in his ascension into heaven. These appearances provided comfort, instruction, and affirmation of his victory over death.
c. 30 AD
Post-Resurrection Commissioning
Jesus directly commissioned his disciples, empowering them for their future ministry. This included imparting the Holy Spirit and granting them authority to forgive or retain sins.
c. 30 AD
The Ascension of Jesus
Jesus ascended into heaven, returning to the Father. This event marked the transition from his physical presence with the disciples to his ongoing spiritual presence and intercession.
c. 30 AD
The Waiting Period
The disciples gathered and waited in Jerusalem as Jesus had instructed, anticipating the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
c. 30 AD (Pentecost)
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in power, enabling them to preach the gospel boldly and perform miracles. This event is seen as the birth of the Church.
This passage parallels God breathing life into Adam, linking Christ's act to the very creation of humanity and signaling a new spiritual creation for the disciples.
Ezekiel 37:9Ezekiel prophesied God breathing life into dry bones; Christ's action here is a fulfillment, bringing spiritual life to His followers through the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:1-4John 20:22 is presented as an earnest or preview of the powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which visibly equipped the disciples for their mission.
John 3:8Jesus explains spiritual birth to Nicodemus using the metaphor of the wind, directly connecting the unseen work of the Spirit to breath, which Christ literally performs here.
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 his disciples is a profound echo of God breathing life into Adam, signifying a new creation and a spiritual empowerment. The Greek word for "breath" and "spirit" is the same, making this gesture a tangible sign that they are receiving a fresh outpouring of God's very life and power. This wasn't just a symbolic gesture, but a pledge and impartation of the Holy Spirit that would equip them for the mission He was entrusting them with.
Just moments after appearing to his disciples and assuring them of peace, Jesus now empowers them for their mission. This action of breathing on them, mirroring God breathing life into Adam, symbolizes the infusion of spiritual life and authority they will receive. It serves as an initial impartation and a promise of the greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit they will experience at Pentecost.
Just moments after appearing to his disciples and assuring them of peace, Jesus now empowers them for their mission. This action of breathing on them, mirroring God breathing life into Adam, symbolizes the infusion of spiritual life and authority they will receive. It serves as an initial impartation and a promise of the greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit they will experience at Pentecost.
"And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit." — Jesus' act of breathing on his disciples is a profound echo of God breathing life into Adam, signifying a new creation and a spiritual empowerment. The Greek word for "breath" and "spirit" is the sam…
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Last reviewed October 2026