Log inSign up

John 20 · a question people ask

Jesus "breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit!" (20:22). What does it mean?

In the text

Here is the whole verse: "When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit!" (20:22). The Greek word for breathed is in this verse and nowhere else in the New Testament (tap breathed). John 20 tells what Jesus did and what he said, and doesn't explain it, and these notes don't either. His words go straight on to forgiving and retaining sins (20:23).

The verses

“When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit! If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.””
John 20:22-23 · 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).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekJohn 20 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about John 20

All questions about John →

Did we miss something?

We're a small team, and we can make mistakes. If something here looks wrong or unclear, tell us and we'll check it against the text.

Tell us

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

The best way to study the Bible.

Your small group or your church can use Favor for Bible study, or you can read by yourself.

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

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