John 20:21

Commentary on John 20:21

John 20:21 (King James Version): “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”

Takeaway: John 20:21 is the risen Christ’s commissioning of His disciples. It grounds Christian mission in the peace He gives, the authority He holds, and the pattern of His own sent-ness from the Father. It calls modern Christians to live as people shaped by Christ’s peace, obedient to His mission, and dependent on His presence.

1. Exegetical Commentary

The Setting in John 20[i]

John 20 records the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His first appearances to His disciples. The chapter moves from confusion and fear to clarity and commissioning. The disciples are gathered behind locked doors, paralysed by fear of the Jewish authorities.

John 20:19 (KJV): “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.”

Into this fear, Jesus comes. He does not rebuke them. He speaks peace.

“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you”

The repetition of “Peace be unto you” is deliberate. It is not a casual greeting. It is the risen Christ’s authoritative declaration of reconciliation, wholeness, and restored relationship with God.

This peace is grounded in His finished work on the cross and confirmed by His resurrection. It is the peace He promised earlier:

John 14:27 (KJV): “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.”

This peace is not merely emotional calm. It is the objective peace of being reconciled to God and the subjective peace that flows from trusting the risen Lord.

“As my Father hath sent me”

Jesus roots the disciples’ mission in His own. The Father sent the Son in love, humility, obedience, and truth. The Son came to reveal the Father, to speak His words, to do His works, and to lay down His life for sinners.

John 17:18 (KJV): “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.”

The pattern is clear: the mission of the church is the continuation of the mission of Christ, empowered by the Spirit and grounded in the gospel.

“Even so send I you”

This is a commissioning. The disciples are not merely comforted; they are sent. Their fear is replaced with purpose. Their hiding becomes going. Their uncertainty becomes obedience.

The sending is not optional. It is the natural outflow of receiving Christ’s peace and seeing His risen glory.

Immediately after this commissioning, Jesus breathes on them and speaks of the Holy Spirit:

John 20:22 (KJV): “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.”

The mission is impossible without the Spirit. The church is sent in the same pattern as Christ: dependent, obedient, and Spirit-filled.

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2. Theological Teaching

A. The Peace of Christ Grounds Christian Mission

Mission does not begin with human enthusiasm but with divine peace. Christians do not go into the world to earn God’s favour; they go because they already have it through Christ.

B. The Mission of the Church Mirrors the Mission of Christ

Christ’s mission was:

• Incarnational: He entered the world.
• Relational: He dwelt among people.
• Truthful: He proclaimed the gospel.
• Sacrificial: He gave His life.
• Obedient: He submitted to the Father’s will.

The church is called to the same pattern.

C. The Holy Spirit Empowers the Mission

The breath of Jesus in verse 22 anticipates Pentecost. Mission is not human effort but Spirit-enabled witness.

D. The Authority of Christ Underpins the Sending

The risen Christ sends His people with divine authority. This echoes the Great Commission:

Matthew 28:18–19 (KJV): “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore…”

The church goes because Christ reigns.

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3. Meditation Guide
“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”

A. Reflect on Christ’s Peace

Sit quietly and consider the words: “Peace be unto you.” Ask:

• Do I live as someone who has received Christ’s peace?
• Where am I still ruled by fear rather than trust?

Pray for the peace that flows from the risen Lord.

B. Consider the Pattern of Christ’s Sending

Reflect on how Jesus was sent by the Father. Read John 17 slowly. Ask:

• What aspects of Christ’s mission am I called to imitate?
• Where is God calling me to enter into the lives of others with humility and truth?

C. Embrace Your Identity as One Who Is Sent

Every Christian is sent. Not all are sent far, but all are sent faithfully.

Ask:

• Who in my life needs to hear or see the gospel through me?
• How can I embody Christ’s love in my workplace, neighbourhood, or family?

D. Depend on the Holy Spirit

Pray: “Holy Spirit, empower me to live as one sent by Christ. Give me courage, wisdom, and love.”

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4. Practical Application for Modern Christian Living

A. Live as a Person of Peace

Christians should be recognisable by the peace of Christ in their lives. This means:

• responding to conflict with gentleness
• trusting God in uncertainty
• refusing to be shaped by fear-driven narratives

B. Engage the World with Purpose

Christians are not called to retreat from the world but to enter it with gospel intentionality. This includes:

• building relationships with neighbours
• showing hospitality
• speaking the gospel with clarity and compassion

C. Serve Sacrificially

Christ’s mission was marked by self-giving love. Modern Christians reflect Him when they:

• serve without seeking recognition
• give generously
• forgive freely

D. Rely on the Spirit, Not Self-Effort

Mission is not a burden but a Spirit-enabled joy. Christians must cultivate prayer, Scripture reading, and dependence on God’s power.

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[i] John 20

King James Version

20 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.

4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain