Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 20:21-23

"Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit: whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained." — John 20:21-23 (ASV)

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

Thus Jesus Christ supported and made forever true the probing of his word. Do we declare that the sins of penitents are remitted?

They are remitted. Are we, in his name, commanded to declare that he that believeth not shall be condemned? So it shall be. He will make the word that is uttered true. We shall not speak without our Master making the utterance of his word more readily a fact.