#4 - Ambassadors of Forgiveness - Understanding the Commission in John 20:22-23

In this episode of *Navigate The Way*, Gabe Langston and Dave Brooks dive deep into John 20:22-23, where Jesus commissions His disciples with the authority to proclaim the forgiveness or retention of sins. But what does this passage really mean, and how do we reconcile it with the broader teaching of Scripture that only God forgives sins? Together, Gabe and Dave explore the exegetical, theological, and historical aspects of the text, uncovering the role of the church as ambassadors of Christ’s message. 

From unpacking the original Greek verbs to examining the broader biblical and redemptive-historical context, this discussion sheds light on the disciples’ responsibility to declare God’s truth in light of the gospel. They also address common misconceptions and offer insights for believers today on proclaiming the gospel faithfully in their own lives.

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This show is named after Navigate The Way ✝️, a Christian AI assistant for navigating the depths of Scripture and theology with clarity and conviction. This show is named after Navigate The Way ✝️, a Christian AI assistant for navigating the depths of Scripture and theology with clarity and conviction. To check out the tool, visit: https://www.navtheway.com/.

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Transcript

### Gabe Langston:
G’day, listeners! This is Gabe Langston, and welcome to *Navigate The Way*, where we explore Scripture deeply and uncover its profound truths. If you haven’t already, be sure to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with others who are passionate about studying God’s Word. Today, we’ll be focusing on an intriguing and sometimes puzzling passage in John chapter 20, verses 22 & 23. This text brings up significant questions about Jesus’ words regarding the forgiveness and retention of sins and how we should reconcile this with other Scripture passages like Daniel 9:9 and Mark chapter 2, verses 5 to 12. Let's dive right in!

In John 20:22-23, we read: *“And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.’”* What an extraordinary moment! Jesus imparts the Holy Spirit to His disciples and then gives them a command that has raised many questions throughout church history. Dave, what strikes you about these verses?

### Dave Brooks:
Thanks for asking, Gabe. I’m Dave Brooks, and I'm thrilled to unpack this passage with you today. When I hear Jesus telling the disciples that they can forgive or retain sins, my immediate thought is, how do we reconcile this with what we know from the broader sweep of Scripture, where forgiveness is declared to be the prerogative of God alone? Passages like Daniel 9:9, which says, *“To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness,”* and Mark 2:5-12, where Jesus forgives the paralytic’s sins, underscore that God alone can forgive sins. So why would Jesus give this responsibility to His disciples? That’s the crux of today’s discussion.

### Gabe Langston:
Exactly, Dave. The immediate context of this passage is crucial to understanding Jesus’ intent. This takes place on the evening of the resurrection, when Jesus appears to His disciples. He greets them and shows them His wounds to confirm His identity. He then breathes on them, saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Now, this breathing on them echoes Genesis 2:7, when God breathed life into Adam. It’s a symbolic act representing new spiritual life and empowerment for the mission ahead. The disciples are being commissioned here, but what’s striking is that this commissioning includes authority over the forgiveness and retention of sins. But how should we interpret this?

### Dave Brooks:
That's the key question, isn’t it? Some historical interpretations, particularly in Catholicism, suggest that this passage institutes a priestly authority to forgive sins sacramentally. But within the broader Protestant tradition, we see it differently. The church doesn’t have an inherent power to forgive sins; rather, we are called to proclaim the message of forgiveness, as rooted in the gospel. The disciples are being authorized to declare what God has already determined. Think of it like this: when a pastor proclaims the gospel and someone repents, the church declares, “Your sins are forgiven” because of Christ's work. But this declaration reflects God’s forgiveness, not an autonomous act by the church itself.

### Gabe Langston:
Right, Dave. That’s where the exegetical and hermeneutical aspects come into play. The Greek verb used for “forgive” in this passage, *aphiemi*, means to send away or release. What’s fascinating here is the tense and voice used. The verb *aphiemi* in John 20:23 is in the passive voice, indicating that the forgiveness of sins is something that is being done by God, not directly by the disciples. The apostles are not the ones actually performing the forgiving; rather, they are proclaiming the forgiveness that God grants through Christ. In line with 2 Corinthians 5:20, they act as representatives or ambassadors of this divine forgiveness, but the authority and action remain with God.

The verb for “retain,” *krateo*, also sheds light on this. Here, the verb is in the active voice, which indicates a more involved action by the disciples. However, this doesn’t mean that the apostles are independently withholding forgiveness. Instead, it suggests that the disciples are affirming or declaring the continued guilt of those who reject the gospel. They are, in a sense, holding fast to the reality of unrepentant sin when the gospel has been rejected. The active voice here indicates the role of the disciples in acknowledging and declaring the consequences of a lack of repentance, but again, they are reflecting the spiritual state that is already determined by God’s judgment. 

These verbs, in both their active and passive forms, point to the disciples’ role in affirming what God has either forgiven or retained, based on a person's response to the gospel. This is not about the disciples exercising independent power over forgiveness, but rather their participation in announcing God’s sovereign work of forgiveness or judgment. We see similar language in Matthew 18:18, where Jesus speaks of binding and loosing, again underscoring the disciples’ role in proclaiming what heaven has already determined.

### Dave Brooks:
That’s a great point, Gabe. When we place John 20:23 within the broader canonical context, particularly alongside Matthew 16:19 and 18:18, it becomes clear that Jesus is referring to the authority to declare what is bound or loosed in heaven. It’s about alignment with heaven’s decrees, not about wielding independent power. Additionally, we can’t ignore the redemptive-historical context here. Jesus, having accomplished His work on the cross, is now sending His disciples to proclaim the full forgiveness of sins through His atoning sacrifice. The authority to declare sins forgiven is directly tied to the proclamation of the gospel, the new covenant that Christ has inaugurated.

### Gabe Langston:
And that brings us to the Christocentric perspective, doesn’t it? All forgiveness is ultimately grounded in the work of Christ. This passage isn’t teaching that the disciples—or the church—have the power in themselves to forgive. Rather, it's announcing what Christ has accomplished. His death and resurrection made forgiveness possible, and the church’s role is to herald that message. This is precisely why we see in passages like Mark 2:5-12 that only Jesus, as the God-man, has the authority to forgive sins. The disciples are now participating in His mission by proclaiming the forgiveness that only He can secure.

### Dave Brooks:
When we look at this from a redemptive-historical perspective, the commissioning of the disciples marks a crucial moment in God’s redemptive plan. The resurrection ushers in a new era—the era of the church’s mission to proclaim the gospel. The Holy Spirit is given to the church to empower believers to preach Christ’s completed work. The authority to proclaim the forgiveness or retention of sins is not an independent authority vested in the apostles or the church itself, but rather, it's the responsibility to declare the message of the gospel, through which God alone forgives or retains sins. In Acts, we see the apostles boldly declaring forgiveness in Jesus' name, always pointing to Christ as the sole source of salvation and forgiveness.

### Gabe Langston:
And what a profound responsibility that is. From a theological context, this passage resonates with our understanding of the church as the body of Christ. The Apostles’ Creed affirms the forgiveness of sins as a core tenet of the faith, and that’s something every believer should be equipped to declare. The church doesn’t wield this authority lightly. The proclamation of forgiveness—or its withholding—is always a reflection of what Christ has accomplished. We don’t stand in place of Christ, but we are His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), charged with making His message known.

### Dave Brooks:
Precisely, Gabe. And it’s worth noting how this passage has been understood in church history. The early church fathers, including Augustine, emphasized that this authority was not an independent power given to individuals but was always rooted in Christ's work. The Reformers, particularly John Calvin, echoed this, arguing that the church proclaims forgiveness based on the completed atonement of Christ. The declaration of forgiveness is tied to the Word and Spirit—when the gospel is preached, and people respond in faith, their sins are forgiven. When they reject the gospel, their sins remain. The church’s role is to declare the truth, not to invent it.

### Gabe Langston:
Yes, that historical perspective is essential, Dave. The ecclesiastical context is another angle we should consider. The church has always been the community of the forgiven, and it holds a unique role in making the message of reconciliation known. In pastoral care, this passage provides comfort to those burdened by sin. The assurance that sins can be forgiven through Christ is a profound message of hope. Yet, it also serves as a warning to those who reject the gospel. This dual aspect of the message—both comfort and challenge—should be part of the church’s ongoing ministry.

### Dave Brooks:
Indeed, Gabe. Pastoral care here is about helping people understand the weight of sin and the glory of forgiveness. Too often, people struggle with guilt and shame, unsure if God can truly forgive them. John 20:23 reminds us that forgiveness is available through the gospel, and it’s the church’s responsibility to proclaim that truth clearly. At the same time, this passage underscores the seriousness of sin. When forgiveness is withheld, it’s because the individual has refused the offer of grace in the gospel. The church’s role is to make that clear, not in a spirit of condemnation, but in a call to repentance.

### Gabe Langston:
Absolutely, and that brings us to a spiritual formation perspective. Understanding this passage can deepen a believer’s sense of their mission. Every Christian, not just pastors or leaders, is called to participate in the ministry of reconciliation. When we proclaim the gospel, we are offering the forgiveness that Christ secured on the cross. This means living in such a way that our lives reflect the message of grace, showing others the hope that comes through Christ alone. It's a sobering and joyful responsibility that shapes our witness.

### Dave Brooks:
Yes, Gabe. And let’s not forget the apologetic context here. One of the criticisms often leveled against Christianity is the idea that forgiveness can be "cheap." Critics argue that if forgiveness is freely available, then there’s no real accountability for sin. But John 20:23, when understood correctly, shows that forgiveness is not cheap—it was purchased at great cost by Christ’s sacrifice. The church’s role in proclaiming forgiveness is not about trivializing sin but about emphasizing the seriousness of what Christ has done. This passage challenges the world’s understanding of forgiveness by pointing to the cross.

### Gabe Langston:
That’s such an important point, Dave. In a contemporary context, this passage also speaks to our culture’s confusion about sin and forgiveness. Many people today view forgiveness as either unnecessary or too easy. They think sin doesn’t matter or that forgiveness is something we can grant ourselves. But Scripture is clear: sin separates us from God, and only through Christ’s atonement can we be reconciled. John 20:23 calls us back to the reality that true forgiveness is found only in Christ and that the church must faithfully declare that message to a world that desperately needs it.

### Dave Brooks:
So, to wrap up this discussion, Gabe, John 20:22-23 reminds us of the unique role the church plays in declaring the forgiveness of sins through Christ. The disciples were commissioned to announce the gospel, and that same commission extends to us today. We don’t have the power to forgive or retain sins independently, but we have the responsibility to proclaim the truth of the gospel, through which sins are either forgiven or retained based on an individual’s response to Christ.

### Gabe Langston:
Well said, Dave. As we conclude, I’d like to challenge our listeners to reflect on this passage and its implications for their own lives. Are you proclaiming the message of forgiveness in your circles? Have you embraced the fullness of Christ’s work, both in receiving forgiveness and in sharing it with others? Don’t forget to submit your thoughts or a passage you’d like us to explore in future episodes. And, as always, make sure to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with others.

This show is named after *Navigate The Way ✝️*, a Christian AI assistant for navigating the depths of Scripture and theology with clarity and conviction. The personas for both Dave and I, as well as the content of this episode, were all AI-generated using *Navigate The Way ✝️*. A special thanks to ElevenLabs for our AI-generated voices.