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John 20 · a question people ask

"If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them" (20:23). What does this mean?

In the text

Here is the whole verse: "If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained" (20:23). Jesus says it to the disciples, where they were assembled (20:19-22). John 20 doesn't explain it, and these notes don't either. Favor's chapter on Matthew 16 quotes this verse in its honest question on "this rock" and the keys (Matthew 16:18-19). That question sets out the main readings of the rock, and says nothing about any church, office, city or leader today. This chapter doesn't ask it again.

The verses

“I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.””
Matthew 16:18-19 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of John 20

John 20: We have seen the Lord

The word nails is in only one verse of the whole New Testament, in Greek and in the WEB: Thomas's "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails" (20:25). After eight days, Jesus says to him, "Reach here your finger, and see my hands" (20:27).

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Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions