John 20:21,22

JOHN—NOTE ON John 20:21 These verses contain the “Great Commission” (compare Matthew 28:16). They provide the conclusion of the entire Gospel’s presentation of Jesus as the one sent from the Father (see note on John 3:17). The Sent One (Jesus) has now become the Sender. He sends his followers to serve as his messengers and representatives (see John 17:18). All three persons of the Godhead are involved in this commissioning: as the Father sent Jesus, so Jesus sends his disciples (John 20:21), equipping them with the Holy Spirit (v. John 20:22). When Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit,” it prepared them for what happened when the Holy Spirit was given at Pentecost (see Acts 2:1). This does not mean that the Holy Spirit had no presence in the disciples’ lives prior to this point (see note on John 7:39).