The Church's Mission: John 20:19-23 Reconsidered

Abstract

John 20:19–23 is a text surrounded by mystery and debate. In recent interpretive history, discussions about the meaning of this text revolve around its relationship to the bestowal of the Spirit recorded in Acts 2:4 as written by Luke. This essay argues that a study of the passage’s reception history will distinguish Martin Luther as a unique interpreter of this passage. Luther’s doctrinal and homiletical interpretation informs our reading of John 20:19–23 by suggesting the passage is primarily about the church’s proclamation of the gospel as well as the church’s ability to offer assurance of sins forgiven. Then, this essay will argue for a literary reading of John 20:19–23 that incorporates elements of Luther’s doctrinal reading, elements of a qualitative reading akin to that of Matthew Henry, as well as elements of a pneumatological-fulfillment and thematic reading. Lastly, this essay will conclude by contending that it is necessary to distinguish between the gift of the Spirit in John 20:19–23 and the gift of the Spirit in Acts 2:4—the former concerns the inception of the indwelling Spirit that is necessary for the gospel mission while the latter concerns empowering of the Spirit that is necessary for the success of the gospel mission recounted as the gospel moves away from Jerusalem in the Book of Acts.