John 20:20-22
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.[a] The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.(A) 21 [b][Jesus] said to them again,(B) “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 [c]And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,(C) “Receive the holy Spirit.
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- 20:20 Hands and…side: Lk 24:39–40 mentions “hands and feet,” based on Ps 22:17.
- 20:21 By means of this sending, the Eleven were made apostles, that is, “those sent” (cf. Jn 17:18), though John does not use the noun in reference to them (see note on Jn 13:16). A solemn mission or “sending” is also the subject of the post-resurrection appearances to the Eleven in Mt 28:19; Lk 24:47; Mk 16:15.
- 20:22 This action recalls Gn 2:7, where God breathed on the first man and gave him life; just as Adam’s life came from God, so now the disciples’ new spiritual life comes from Jesus. Cf. also the revivification of the dry bones in Ez 37. This is the author’s version of Pentecost. Cf. also the note on Jn 19:30.
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