A Devotional Commentary on John 20:23: Remitting and Retaining Sins
John 20:23 · King James Version
Quick Answer: This commentary on john 20 23 explains Jesus’ words to His disciples as part of their God-given mission: proclaiming forgiveness in response to repentance, and warning that unbelief leaves people in sin. In context, “remit” and “retain” reflect God’s judgment applied through the gospel message, not a human power to override God.
John 20:23 (King James Version)
“Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them;
and
whose soever
sins ye retain, they are retained.”
John 20:23 meaning in the post-resurrection setting
John 20:23 comes immediately after Jesus appears to His disciples on the evening of His resurrection, breathing on them and commissioning them to represent Him. This moment is significant: the disciples are frightened, yet Jesus brings peace and restores their confidence with the reality that He has conquered death. Their role is not to invent a new spiritual system, but to carry forward the message of Jesus’ victory, His resurrection, and the need for repentance and faith.
In the Jewish world, sins were understood as real before God, affecting a person’s standing and relationship with Him. God’s forgiveness was never treated as vague sentiment; it was something declared and received, often tied to repentance, confession, and covenant faithfulness. After the resurrection, Jesus now places His disciples at the center of the gospel announcement. Their proclamation would function publicly: calling people to turn from sin and trust Christ.
When Jesus says that sins can be remitted or retained, He is speaking in covenant and court-like categories familiar to Jewish ears—remission as release from guilt and retained sins as remaining under judgment. The early church would soon practice this through preaching, teaching, baptism, discipline, and restoring those who repent, always acknowledging that forgiveness ultimately belongs to God.
Nuance in the Greek terms for “remit” and “retain”
While John 20:23 is recorded in Greek, the meaning turns on verbs associated with releasing and holding. The wording conveys that the disciples’ declaration is not merely personal opinion; it is tied to God’s verdict as communicated through the gospel. “Remit” carries the sense of releasing from guilt—consistent with the biblical theme of God forgiving and restoring. “Retain” suggests keeping something in place rather than dismissing it—consistent with the idea that unbelief leaves a person in their current condition.
It is important to note that the tone is judicial and covenantal, not magical. Jesus does not imply that disciples can forgive independently of God; rather, their message and pastoral action reflect God’s own assessment: repentance and faith open the door to forgiveness, while refusal and persistent rebellion correspond to retained judgment.
Commissioned mission: how disciples’ words connect to God’s verdict
Jesus speaks these words directly into the disciples’ commission. The resurrection appearance is not only comfort; it is sending. In John’s Gospel, Jesus repeatedly ties mission to “believing” and to the revelation of God’s purposes. So when He says, “Whose soever sins ye remit… whose soever sins ye retain,” the emphasis is on the disciples acting as representatives through the message of Christ.
This helps clarify the scope of Jesus’ instruction. The disciples are not given authority to determine forgiveness arbitrarily, as though they could override heaven with a statement. Instead, they are entrusted with proclaiming the gospel accurately—calling people to repentance and faith, and announcing that forgiveness is available in Christ. When people respond, forgiveness is “remitted” in accordance with God’s promise. When people reject, their sins remain “retained” in accordance with God’s warning.
In other words, the disciples’ ministry is the channel through which God’s verdict is heard. The church still does this when it preaches Christ crucified and risen, urges repentance, offers assurance to those who believe, and calls out unrepentant sin. The Bible consistently presents forgiveness as God’s gift received through faith, not as a human lever that guarantees forgiveness regardless of a person’s heart.
Remitted sins: forgiveness received through repentance and faith
“Remitted” is best understood as released from guilt because of God’s mercy. The disciples’ role includes proclaiming that God truly forgives in Jesus. That proclamation is not abstract. In the apostolic teaching, repentance and faith are the response God seeks—turning away from sin and trusting Christ’s death and resurrection. When a person believes and turns, the gospel speaks forgiveness to them.
This connects to the surrounding themes in John 20. Jesus gives peace and shows His wounds, establishing that forgiveness is rooted in a real, accomplished salvation. He also breathes on the disciples, signifying the empowering presence of the Spirit. Therefore, “remitting” is connected to Spirit-led witness: God applies Christ’s work to the penitent person.
Practically, this means that the church’s declaration of forgiveness should be aligned with the character of Christ. It should be offered sincerely to those who turn, not used to excuse ongoing rebellion. Assurance is not denial of sin; it is confidence that God deals mercifully with those who come to Him through Christ.
Retained sins: warning that unbelief leaves people under judgment
“Retained” does not mean God is waiting in bitterness to punish. Rather, it describes the situation of persistent refusal. When people hear the gospel and reject Christ—choosing to remain in unbelief—God’s judgment remains connected to their unrepentant condition. Jesus’ words therefore hold together two realities: God offers mercy, and God also takes sin seriously.
This also safeguards the meaning against misinterpretation. Jesus is not teaching that disciples can simply “keep” sins by saying no. Retaining is the consequence of rejecting the offer of forgiveness. The gospel message makes the difference: repentance and faith result in remission; rejection and hard-heartedness mean sins are not removed.
Church practice reflects this through teaching and discipline. When sin is unrepented, a community cannot pretend it is fine; it must respond truthfully. But this response aims at restoration, not humiliation. The goal is always to call the person back to Christ, because the gospel is meant to heal.
What this means for the Church today: proclamation and pastoral care
A faithful reading of John 20:23 sees church authority as ministerial, not absolute. The church declares forgiveness because God has promised it in Christ. The church also declares warnings because God has spoken truth about sin and unbelief. This aligns with the Bible’s pattern: the Word of God judges the heart, and the Spirit works to bring conviction and comfort.
So how does the church “remit” in everyday ministry? Through gospel proclamation, prayer, discipleship, and the assurance given to those who repent. How does it “retain”? By refusing to call evil good, by maintaining clear teaching about repentance, and by disciplining those who persistently refuse correction. When done rightly, these are not human attempts to “control outcomes,” but faithful applications of God’s message.
John’s Gospel emphasizes that Jesus is the Light. His words separate people into responses of faith or unbelief. John 20:23 continues that theme: the disciples’ ministry becomes a witness that clarifies where a person stands before God. This should produce reverent seriousness in how Christians speak, pray, and lead—because the gospel is powerful, and God uses it to bring real spiritual change.
How to Apply This Today
1) Receive forgiveness the way Jesus offers it: don’t treat forgiveness as a slogan. If you’ve sinned, confess honestly, turn away from what you know is wrong, and trust Christ’s work. Then accept assurance—not because you feel perfect, but because God’s promise is trustworthy.
2) Speak truth with pastoral courage. When you share the gospel with others, present both mercy and warning. Avoid minimizing sin, but also avoid despair. The goal is not to label people permanently; it is to call them to repentance and faith.
3) Practice church accountability. If you’re part of a Christian community, take correction seriously. God’s design is that the church help restore the wandering through Scripture, prayer, and loving discipline.
4) Pray for the Spirit’s work in your conversations. “Remitting and retaining” happen through God’s Word applied by the Spirit, not through intimidation. Ask God to make your words clear and compassionate.
5) Let this passage make you careful. If the gospel clarifies hearts, then careless speech—saying “peace” where there is no repentance, or refusing mercy where there is real turning—does harm. Seek wisdom and humility in every step.
Related Bible Passages
Matthew 16:19
Jesus earlier speaks of binding and loosing, which helps explain how authority relates to declaring God’s will rather than issuing independent forgiveness.
John 3:18-19
These verses connect belief and judgment, showing how receiving Christ leads away from condemnation while rejecting Him leaves people under judgment.
Acts 2:37-38
Peter’s message calls for repentance and faith and promises forgiveness, illustrating how gospel proclamation functions in “remission” when hearts respond.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “sins ye remit” mean in John 20:23 meaning?
It means that when the gospel is proclaimed and a person truly repents and believes, God releases them from guilt in Christ. The disciples (and the church today) declare and apply God’s promise, but the power to forgive belongs to God—not to human authority.
Can believers misunderstand “retain sins” as if God is not merciful?
No. “Retain” points to the condition of persistent refusal. God offers mercy in Christ; rejection keeps a person under the judgment their unbelief chooses. The church’s task is to warn truthfully and to call people back to repentance.
How does forgiveness relate to the disciples’ mission in John 20:23?
Jesus commissions the disciples to be witnesses of His resurrection and teachers of the gospel. Their words and pastoral care communicate God’s verdict: repentance brings forgiveness, while unbelief leaves sin in place.
Is this passage about a church office having control over salvation?
The passage is best understood as ministerial authority through God’s Word. The church can’t override God’s judgment. It proclaims forgiveness to those who repent and warns those who refuse, trusting the Spirit to apply the message.
A Short Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for breathing Your peace on Your disciples and sending them with Your message. Give us humble courage to proclaim forgiveness to the repentant and honest warning to the unrepentant. Heal hearts that are afraid, and turn hearts that resist. Teach Your Church to speak Your Word faithfully, so that people may know You and receive the mercy You have promised. Amen.
Key Takeaway: John 20:23 teaches that the gospel’s proclamation—calling for repentance and faith—results in sins being forgiven or remaining under judgment according to God’s verdict.
