John 20:23 is a powerful and sometimes perplexing verse in the Bible: “If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Understanding the correct interpretation of John 20:23 is crucial for grasping the true message of Jesus and the role of his followers. This passage has often been misinterpreted to suggest that Jesus granted his disciples (and by extension, church leaders) the authority to personally forgive sins in the same way God does. However, a closer examination of scripture and context reveals a more nuanced and accurate understanding.
The Misinterpretation of Forgiveness in John 20:23
The idea that humans can independently forgive sins is contrary to the core tenets of Christian theology. Throughout the Bible, it is consistently taught that forgiveness of sins is God’s prerogative alone. We see this clearly stated in various passages. As Acts 10:43-44 proclaims, “Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” This emphasizes that forgiveness comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Similarly, 1 John 5:1-5 highlights belief in Jesus as the path to overcoming the world, implying forgiveness and salvation. Even in the Gospels, Luke 5:20 recounts Jesus forgiving sins based on seeing faith, and Colossians 2:13-14 speaks of Jesus forgiving all our sins. These verses collectively confirm that Jesus Christ, being divine, holds the power to forgive sins, and this forgiveness is granted based on faith in Him. Therefore, the interpretation of John 20:23 cannot be that disciples possess the independent authority to forgive sins as God does.
Context is Key: Jesus’ Mission and the Holy Spirit
To properly interpret John 20:23, we must consider the verses immediately preceding it. John 20:21-22 states, “Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” This context is vital. Jesus is commissioning his disciples and sending them out with a specific mission, mirroring the mission the Father gave Him. The gift of the Holy Spirit empowers them for this mission. This mission is further clarified in the Great Commission passages found in other Gospels, which emphasize preaching the gospel to all nations.
Proclaiming Forgiveness Through the Gospel Message
The correct interpretation of John 20:23 lies in understanding that the disciples’ role was to proclaim the gospel message. When they declared the good news of Jesus Christ, they were, in effect, declaring forgiveness to those who believed and accepted the message. Conversely, to those who rejected the message, they were declaring the consequence of unforgiveness and continued condemnation under sin. This is not a personal power to forgive or withhold forgiveness, but rather the authority to announce God’s conditions for forgiveness. As John 3:36 clearly states, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” The disciples, and by extension, all believers, are messengers of this truth. When we share the gospel, we are telling people that through faith in Jesus, their sins can be forgiven. We are also conveying the reality that rejecting Jesus means rejecting God’s provision for forgiveness. Jesus himself reinforced this in John 8:24, saying, “If you do not believe that I am [God], you will indeed die in your sins.”
Our Mission Today: Sharing the Message of Forgiveness
This mission given to the disciples in John 20:23 is the same mission entrusted to believers today. We are called to share the gospel message with the world. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are to proclaim the path to salvation and forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. Our role is not to act as individual arbiters of forgiveness, but to faithfully communicate God’s message of reconciliation. We declare that forgiveness is available through faith in Jesus, and we also warn of the consequences of rejecting this gift. This proclamation is a powerful act in itself, as it makes known the terms of forgiveness established by God.
Forgiveness Among Believers: A Reflection of God’s Grace
While John 20:23 primarily relates to proclaiming the gospel and its impact on forgiveness before God, the broader context of Jesus’ teachings also emphasizes the importance of forgiveness among believers. Jesus taught about forgiving others as God has forgiven us. He highlighted that those who are forgiven much, love much (Luke 7:47). He instructed us to forgive others repeatedly (Matthew 18:22). Colossians 3:13 urges, “Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Furthermore, 1 John 2:3-6, 3:14-19, and 4:16-21 connect love for our brothers and sisters in Christ with genuine faith and forgiveness. Our willingness to forgive others is an indicator of our own experience of God’s forgiveness and the transformed life that comes with it.
In conclusion, the correct interpretation of John 20:23 is not that Jesus gave his disciples the power to forgive sins in God’s place. Rather, he commissioned them to proclaim the gospel message, through which forgiveness of sins is offered to those who believe in Jesus Christ. The disciples, and believers today, act as ambassadors of this message. The power to forgive sins ultimately rests with God alone, and it is exercised through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ. Our mission is to faithfully share this message of hope and reconciliation with the world.
