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NASB | John 20:23 "If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 20:23 "If you forgive the sins of anyone they are forgiven [because of their faith]; if you retain the sins of anyone, they are retained [and remain unforgiven because of their unbelief]." |
Bible Question: What did Jesus mean in this verse about sins being remitted or retained by the disciples? |
Bible Answer: The NIV for John 20:23 says "If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, then they are not forgiven." This is Jesus' departing words to his 12 Apostles. I feel he gave them some authority he had, that we do not have in this life, which is to judge. I see Peter exercise this authority to keep the church pure from those with evil motives like in Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira died for lying. Then after Simon the Sorcerer made his pledge to Jesus in baptism in Acts 8, Peter told Simon he had no part in the God's kingdom (1 Peter 3:20-21). I am sure there are others. Jesus was given all authority from the Father (Matt 28:18) so apparently he could empower others. |