Scripture · New Testament
John 20:23
John 20:23 is verse 23 of John chapter 20, shown here in the Berean Standard Bible.
Berean Standard Bible
If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”
King James Version
Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
World English Bible
If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.”
Read in context
John 20:21–25 · Berean Standard Bible
21 Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.”
22 When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”
24 Now Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”
Read all of John 20Greek words
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Cross-references
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.
Matthew 16:19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Matthew 18:18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Mark 2:5When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Mark 2:6But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking in their hearts,
Mark 2:7“Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Mark 2:8At once Jesus knew in His spirit that they were thinking this way within themselves. “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?” He asked.
Mark 2:9“Which is easier: to say to a paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk’?
Mark 2:10But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...” He said to the paralytic,
Acts 2:38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10:43All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”
Acts 13:38Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
Acts 13:39Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.
1 Corinthians 5:4When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, along with the power of the Lord Jesus,
2 Corinthians 2:6The punishment imposed on him by the majority is sufficient for him.
2 Corinthians 2:7So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
2 Corinthians 2:8Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.
2 Corinthians 2:9My purpose in writing you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.
2 Corinthians 2:10If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake,
Ephesians 2:20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
1 Timothy 1:20Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.