The Pulpit Commentary on John 20:19-23

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The first appearance of Jesus to his disciples.

He meets with them on the evening of the day on which he rose from the dead.

I. THE DISCIPLES WERE GATHERED TOGETHER FOR THE MEMORABLE INTERVIEW.

1. Mary's message had evidently brought them together.

2. Their new hopefulness must have inclined them to resume their old collective life.

3. The meeting-place may have been in "the upper room." (Acts 1:13.)

4. It was a secret assembly, for the doors were shut "for fear of the Jews." The rumors of our Lord's resurrection, going abroad among the Jews on that eventful day, suggested the possibility or the fear of an attack upon the disciples.

II. THE APPEARANCE OF JESUS TO HIS DISCIPLES. "Jesus came' and stood in the midst, and saith to them, Peace be unto you!"

1. His appearance, while the doors were shut, showed that he was not now subject to the old conditions of material existence.

2. His first Words are the blessedly familiar words of his last address on the night preceding his death. They suggest

3. He gave them visible evidence of his identity. "And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side."

4. The effect of this evidence. "Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord."

III. OUR LORD'S RENEWAL TO HIS DISCIPLES OF HIS ORIGINAL COMMISSION. "Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."

1. He assures them of peace in connection with their future apostolic labors. The peace of reconciliation which they are to carry to the world must have its reflex in their own hearts.

2. He confers on them the eject of ministry as the effect of his death.

3. After conferring the office, he conveys the gift. "And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith to them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit. Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained."

(a) The powers here given are not given to the apostles only, but to the whole body of the disciples (Luke 24:33).

(b) The Old Testament priests had no power of absolution. They made atonement for sin through sacrifice, but they never absolved.

(c) The powers here given are similar to those given to Peter (Matthew 16:18), which refer to absolution from Church censures.

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