If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just about declaring forgiveness, but about confirming God's ongoing work: when they declare sins forgiven, God is already actively remitting them; when they declare sins retained, those sins are already held fast by God. It highlights that their role is to discern and announce God's present judgment, not to unilaterally decide who is forgiven.
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just after Jesus reappeared to his disciples and commissioned them, He breathes the Holy Spirit onto them, empowering them for their mission. This moment equips them to declare God's forgiveness and judgment to the world, not as independent agents, but as conduits of God's work through the Spirit. Their pronouncements on earth are divinely validated, reflecting God's own decision regarding sin and salvation.
Have you ever wondered if we, as humans, can truly forgive sins? Jesus gives his followers incredible authority, but it's not what you might first think.
Jesus’ words here are powerful! He says to his disciples, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” This sounds like the disciples have the ultimate power to decide who gets forgiven. But let's dig a bit deeper.
God's Exclusive Right
Declaring God's Terms
The Spirit's Guidance
Ask a follow-up
Forgiveness is wonderful, but what about when forgiveness isn't extended? Jesus’ words cover both sides of the coin, and understanding this balance is key.
Jesus’ commission isn't just about announcing good news; it's also about declaring the reality of God’s judgment on sin.
Two Sides of the Message
God Confirms Their Declarations
A Mirror to God's Will
Who exactly received this authority from Jesus? Was it just a select few, or does it extend further?
This is a crucial point that many misunderstand. Jesus didn't single out one disciple for a unique authority here; the commission was given to the group present.
Given to the Whole Group
Enduring Authority
Ministering in Groups
Understand the original words
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 authority to forgive or retain sins wasn't a new power for individuals to arbitrarily judge others, but a Spirit-empowered commission to declare God's unchanging terms of reconciliation based on repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus commissions the apostles
After His resurrection, Jesus appears to His disciples, breathes the Holy Spirit on them, and grants them the authority to forgive or retain sins, empowering them to declare God's terms of reconciliation.
c. AD 30-33
Apostles preach the Gospel
Following the commission, the apostles begin proclaiming the message of repentance and faith in Christ throughout Judea and beyond, establishing the terms of forgiveness.
c. AD 40s-60s
Paul writes to early churches
Apostle Paul, guided by the Spirit, writes letters to churches like Corinth, addressing issues of church discipline and the consequences of sin, reinforcing the principles of forgiveness and judgment.
c. AD 90s
Book of Revelation written
The visions in Revelation describe God's ultimate judgment and vindication, providing a cosmic backdrop to the authority given to the early church to declare His will on earth.
This passage also speaks of the 'keys of the kingdom of heaven' being given, directly linking to the authority to declare God's forgiveness or lack thereof.
Matthew 18:18This verse reiterates the authority given to the disciples to bind and loose, which parallels the power to forgive or retain sins mentioned in John.
2 Corinthians 2:15-16This passage describes the apostles as a 'fragrance of Christ,' with their message being either one of life or of death, echoing the concept of declaring forgiveness or condemnation.
1 Corinthians 5:5This verse demonstrates the practical application of 'handing over to Satan' for the destruction of the flesh, illustrating the disciplinary aspect of retaining sin within the community.
clarkeJohn 20:23: "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained."
Whose soever sins ye remit - See the notes on Matthew 16:19 ; Matthew 18:18 . It is certain God alone can forgive sins; and it would not only be blasphemous, but grossly absurd, to say that any creature could remit the guilt of a transgression which had been committed against the Creator. The apostles received from the Lord the doctrine of reconciliation, and the doctrine o…
meyerJohn 20:23: "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained."
John 20:23 . The peculiar authority of the apostolical office, for the exercise of which they were fitted and empowered by this impartation of the Spirit. It was therefore an individual and specific charismatic endowment, the bestowal of which the Lord knew must be still connected with His personal presence, and was not to be deferred until after His ascension,[268] namely,…
This verse isn't just about declaring forgiveness, but about confirming God's ongoing work: when they declare sins forgiven, God is already actively remitting them; when they declare sins retained, those sins are already held fast by God. It highlights that their role is to discern and announce God's present judgment, not to unilaterally decide who is forgiven.
Just after Jesus reappeared to his disciples and commissioned them, He breathes the Holy Spirit onto them, empowering them for their mission. This moment equips them to declare God's forgiveness and judgment to the world, not as independent agents, but as conduits of God's work through the Spirit. Their pronouncements on earth are divinely validated, reflecting God's own decision regarding sin and salvation.
Just after Jesus reappeared to his disciples and commissioned them, He breathes the Holy Spirit onto them, empowering them for their mission. This moment equips them to declare God's forgiveness and judgment to the world, not as independent agents, but as conduits of God's work through the Spirit. Their pronouncements on earth are divinely validated, reflecting God's own decision regarding sin and salvation.
"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”" — This verse isn't just about declaring forgiveness, but about confirming God's ongoing work: when they declare sins forgiven, God is already actively remitting them; when they declare sins retained,…
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Last reviewed October 2026