John 20:19-23

Expanded Bible

Jesus Appears to His Followers^(A)

¹⁹ When it was evening on the first day of the week, Jesus’ ·followers [disciples] were together. The doors were ·locked [shut], because they were afraid of ·the elders [the Jewish leaders; ^Lthe Jews]. Then Jesus came and stood right in the middle of them and said, “Peace be with you.” ²⁰ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. His ·followers [disciples] ·were thrilled [rejoiced] when they saw the Lord.

²¹ Then Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, I now send you.” ²² After he said this, he breathed on them [Gen. 2:7] and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven. If you ·don’t forgive them [withhold forgiveness; ^Lretain the sins of any; Matt. 16:19; 18:18], they are not forgiven.”