Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 20:23

"whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained." — John 20:23 (ASV)

For this ministry Jesus provided the Holy Spirit and the commission to proclaim the forgiveness of sins. These are linked together for a new ministry. This was the initial announcement of which Pentecost was the historic fulfillment. The descent of the Spirit on the church at Pentecost brought the proclamation by Peter to his hearers: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven” (Acts 2:38). The words of Jesus emphasize that the Holy Spirit is not bestowed on the church as an ornament but to empower an effective application of the work of Christ to the entire human race.

The commission to forgive sins is phrased in an unusual construction.

Literally, it is: “Those whose sins you forgive have already been forgiven; those whose sins you do not forgive have not been forgiven” (see comments). God does not forgive people’s sins because we decide to do so, nor does he withhold forgiveness because we will not grant it. We announce it; we do not create it. This is the essence of salvation. And all who proclaim the Gospel are in effect forgiving or not forgiving sins, depending on whether the hearer accepts or rejects the Lord Jesus as the Sin-Bearer.