The event described in John 20:22 is rich with meaning and significance. In this verse, Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection and breathes on them, saying “Receive the Holy Spirit.” This mysterious action prompts many questions: What did Jesus mean by breathing on them? Why did he say “Receive the Holy Spirit”? And what are the implications of this verse for Christian theology and practice? Let’s explore this passage in depth.
The Context of John 20:22
John 20 recounts Jesus’ first resurrection appearance to his disciples. Early in the morning on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene discovered Jesus’ empty tomb and alerted the disciples (John 20:1-2). Peter and John rushed to the tomb and found Jesus’ burial cloths but no body (John 20:3-9). Confused and sad, Mary lingered by the tomb weeping, when Jesus suddenly appeared to her (John 20:11-18).
Mary then announced his resurrection to the disciples, who were gathered together, afraid of the Jewish authorities. That same evening, Jesus miraculously appeared among the disciples even though the doors were locked (John 20:19). After showing them his wounded hands and side, Jesus commissioned them saying, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). Then comes the key verse:
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22)
The context makes it clear that this event took place on resurrection Sunday, as the disciples were still reeling from Jesus’ crucifixion and grappling with the shocking reports of his resurrection. Jesus appeared to reassure them, commission them, and equip them for ministry with the Holy Spirit.
The Significance of Jesus Breathing on the Disciples
What did it mean for Jesus to breathe on his disciples? This action echoed Genesis 2:7, when God breathed life into Adam at creation. The Greek word for “breathed” is emphysaō, which is the same word used in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) for God breathing life into Adam. By breathing on his disciples, Jesus was symbolizing the new creation and new life that his resurrection inaugurates.
Jesus’ breath also echoes the vision in Ezekiel 37 of God breathing new life into the dry bones of Israel. Ezekiel prophesied that God would one day put His Spirit in His people to resurrect them and redeem them. Now, Jesus’ breath demonstrates that Ezekiel’s vision is coming true through Him. He is breathing new life – resurrection life – into His people by the Spirit. His breath foreshadows the fullness of the Spirit that will come at Pentecost in Acts 2.
This breathing action is reminiscent of other key moments in Jesus’ ministry:
– When Jesus healed the blind man in Mark 8:23-25, he laid his hands on the man’s eyes and then had him look up before his vision was restored. This two-stage healing parallels the two-stage impartation of the Spirit, with Jesus’ breath here and the baptism of the Spirit at Pentecost.
– In John 7:37-39, Jesus described rivers of living water flowing from those who believe in Him. John clarified Jesus was speaking about the Spirit, who had not yet been given in fullness. The breath here can be seen as an initial down payment on the full baptism to come.
– Prior to raising Lazarus from the dead in John 11:1-44, Jesus called with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” This foreshadows Jesus’ breath imparting new life to his disciples.
Overall, Jesus’ breathing on the disciples powerfully symbolizes a new start, new life, and the beginning of a new creation through the Spirit.
Why Did Jesus Say “Receive the Holy Spirit”?
Along with Jesus’ breath, his command is also highly significant. Jesus told the disciples, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” This phrase indicates several key truths:
1. **The Holy Spirit is a gift to be received.** The disciples couldn’t manufacture the Spirit themselves; they had to simply receive what Jesus freely offered. We too must welcome the Spirit by faith.
2. **The Holy Spirit brings new life and power.** Jesus imparted the Spirit to empower the disciples for ministry, not just their personal edification. Receiving the Spirit would equip them for mission.
3. **The Holy Spirit connects believers to the life of Christ.** By giving them His Spirit, Jesus was extending His presence and life into the disciples. The Spirit serves as an ongoing bond between Jesus and His people.
4. **The Holy Spirit inaugurates a new covenant.** Earlier Jesus said His blood sealed the new covenant (Luke 22:20). Now the Spirit seals this covenant in the disciples’ hearts, writing God’s law inwardly through regeneration.
5. **The Holy Spirit applies the benefits of redemption.** While Jesus’ death secured redemption, the Spirit applies it to individual believers, enabling them to experience Christ’s resurrection life.
6. **The Holy Spirit sanctifies believers and makes them holy.** The Holy Spirit lives within Christians, setting them apart for God and transforming them into Christ’s image.
So in summary, receiving the Holy Spirit means obtaining new spiritual life, power, union with Christ, covenant membership, regeneration, sanctification, and participation in Jesus’ mission. Jesus gave the Spirit to the disciples to inaugurate the new covenant age and to empower the church for ministry.
Comparing John 20:22 to Other Biblical Accounts
John 20:22 has parallels elsewhere in Scripture that provide more insight:
– **The Spirit descending on Jesus at His baptism** – When Jesus was baptized, the Spirit descended on Him and the Father declared, “This is my beloved Son” (Matthew 3:16-17). This anointing launched Jesus’ ministry. Now Jesus anoints His disciples with the Spirit to continue His ministry.
– **Jesus promising rivers of living water** – In John 7:37-39 Jesus described the Spirit as “rivers of living water” given to believers. John 20:22 records an initial fulfillment of that promise.
– **Jesus breathing His last on the cross** – When Jesus died, Scripture records He “breathed His last” (Matthew 27:50). Now He breathes new life into His disciples through the Spirit.
– **Pentecost** – John 20:22 was a preview of Pentecost, when the Spirit was poured out fully on the church. Though the Spirit was given in part to the disciples here, empowerment came completely at Pentecost (Acts 2).
– **Ananias and Saul in Acts 9** – After Saul’s conversion, Ananias laid hands on him to restore his sight and filled him with the Spirit through baptism (Acts 9:17). This is another example of Spirit baptism subsequent to conversion.
– **Peter preaching to Cornelius’ household in Acts 10** – While Peter preached Christ to Cornelius’ Gentile household, the Spirit fell on them and they spoke in tongues (Acts 10:44-46). This signified God’s acceptance of the Gentiles into the church.
So John 20:22 gives us an initial glimpse of the Spirit’s coming that will later happen even more dramatically and completely. This foreshadows the fullness of the Spirit given to all believers.
Theological Implications of John 20:22
This short but significant verse has several key theological implications:
– **Christology** – Jesus’ breathing of the Spirit affirms His divine identity as the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit (John 1:33-34). Only God can give the Spirit.
– **Pneumatology** – This passage reveals the Spirit’s role in applying salvation and empowering believers for ministry. The Spirit regenerates hearts and sanctifies lives.
– **Soteriology** – The Spirit is essential for completing the application of redemption to believers’ lives. We are saved by grace through faith and Christ’s sacrifice, yet the Spirit applies these saving benefits.
– **Ecclesiology** – The church is born by the Spirit. Just as Jesus launched the disciples’ ministry through the Spirit, so the Spirit births and grows the church.
– **Mission** – The gift of the Spirit commissions the church for gospel ministry as participants in the Son’s mission to redeem the world. Ministry happens in the Spirit’s power.
– **Eschatology** – The Spirit’s coming signifies the arrival of the messianic age and the “last days” forecasted by the prophets. The resurrection launches the end times.
So in summary, this passage holds vital significance for understanding Christ, the Spirit, salvation, the church, human mission, and biblical eschatology.
The Ongoing Significance of John 20:22
What ongoing relevance does John 20:22 hold for Christian life and practice today? Consider the following key applications:
1. Christians must be born of the Spirit to receive eternal life (John 3:5-8). Regeneration is a sovereign, indispensable work of the Spirit granting new spiritual life.
2. The Spirit sanctifies believers inwardly, producing love, joy, peace, and the character of Christ (Galatians 5:22-23). Yieldedness to the Spirit is essential for spiritual growth.
3. The baptism with the Holy Spirit empowers all Christians for ministry and witness (Acts 1:8). The Spirit equips us supernaturally for Jesus’ mission.
4. The Spirit guides us into truth and teaches us to obey Christ (John 14:26; 16:13-15). Walking in the Spirit is essential for obeying God’s will.
5. The Spirit produces unity among believers across racial, socioeconomic, and gender barriers (Ephesians 4:3-6). Surrendering to the Spirit enables unity in diversity.
6. The Spirit distributes spiritual gifts for the edification of the church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). He manifests Himself through these gifts for the common good.
7. The Spirit applies the benefits of Christ’s redemption to believers and seals our membership in the new covenant (Ephesians 1:13-14). Through the Spirit, we experience new life in Christ.
8. The Spirit comforts, encourages, exhorts, and counsels believers continually (John 14:16-18). We must rely on the Spirit’s wisdom and consolation.
So in summary, John 20:22 teaches us that the Spirit of God is essential for life, power, sanctification, gifts, guidance, unity, and comfort. Just as Jesus equipped the early disciples with the Spirit, so Christians today must walk by the Spirit, be filled with the Spirit, and bear the fruit of the Spirit for the glory of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit to apply the benefits of redemption to believers and launch the ministry of the church through spiritual power.