John 20:21-23 Jesus said to them again, “May there be peace in your hearts. Just as the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”

AUV⁽ⁱ⁾ ²¹ Jesus said to them again, “May there be peace in your hearts. Just as the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” ²² Upon saying this, Jesus breathed on the disciples and said to them, “[Be willing to] receive the Holy Spirit.” [Note: This “breathing” served as a pledge of the Holy Spirit which actually came on these apostles a few weeks later. See Acts 1:5-8; 2:4]. ²³ Whosever sins you forgive, they will be forgiven [by God]. And whosever sins you do not forgive, they will not be forgiven [by God].” [Note: Actual forgiveness would result only when people responded, by faith, to the Gospel message. See Acts 2:37-38].