Meaning of John 20:21

This verse, spoken by the resurrected Jesus to his disciples, marks a pivotal moment in their understanding of their post-resurrection mission. The repeated greeting of "Peace be with you!" (eirene soi) is not merely a polite salutation but a profound bestowal of divine peace, a peace that transcends worldly anxieties and is intrinsically linked to the presence of the risen Christ. This peace is the foundation upon which their commission is built. Jesus then articulates the core of their new mandate by drawing a direct parallel between His own sending by the Father and their sending by Him. This establishes a continuity of divine authority and purpose, signifying that the disciples are now empowered and sent forth with the same divine backing and objective as Jesus Himself, albeit in a subordinate and representative capacity.

Context and Background

The event described in John 20:21 occurs on the evening of the resurrection Sunday. The disciples, still reeling from Jesus' crucifixion and subsequent reappearance, are gathered together behind locked doors, likely out of fear of the Jewish authorities. Jesus appears among them, bypassing physical barriers, and offers them His peace. This initial encounter is recorded in John 20:19-20. The verse in question immediately follows this initial appearance, reiterating the peace and then issuing the commission. The disciples are in a state of uncertainty and apprehension, and Jesus' words are designed to assuage their fears and equip them for the task ahead.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Peace: The repeated emphasis on "Peace be with you!" highlights the gift of spiritual tranquility that comes from reconciliation with God through Christ. This is not merely the absence of conflict but a deep, abiding sense of well-being and wholeness.
• Continuity of Mission: Jesus' statement, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you," underscores that the disciples are not acting independently but are extensions of Jesus' own divinely appointed mission. Their work is a continuation of His.
• Authority and Empowerment: By being sent by Jesus, the disciples receive His authority and are empowered by His Spirit to carry out His work. This commission is not a suggestion but a divine mandate.
• Representation: The disciples are to represent Jesus to the world, proclaiming His message, demonstrating His love, and continuing His redemptive work.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers today, this verse offers a profound understanding of their own calling. We, too, are recipients of Christ's peace, a peace that enables us to face trials and uncertainties with assurance. Furthermore, we are sent forth by Jesus, just as the original disciples were. This means our lives are intended to be conduits of God's grace and truth to the world around us. The commission implies that we are called to share the Gospel, to love our neighbors, and to live lives that reflect Christ's character and mission. It calls for a life of purpose, not passive observation.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

John 20:21 is a crucial bridge connecting the Old Testament's anticipation of a Messiah who would bring peace and establish God's kingdom with the New Testament's unfolding of that kingdom through the Church. Jesus' mission, as the Sent One of God, fulfills prophecies concerning a Savior who would reconcile humanity to God. His sending of the disciples signifies the expansion of this redemptive work to a global scale. The establishment of the Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit (which Jesus will later bestow more fully), is the direct consequence of this commission, making it a cornerstone of the New Covenant.

Analogies

One analogy for this verse is a relay race. Jesus, the first runner, has completed His leg of the race, having been sent by the Father. He then passes the baton (the commission and empowerment) to His disciples, who are now to run their leg of the race, carrying the message and spirit of Jesus to the world. Another analogy is that of an ambassador. Just as an ambassador is sent by their country's leader with full authority to represent them and conduct diplomacy, the disciples are sent by Christ, empowered to represent Him and carry out His divine mission.

Relation to Other Verses

• John 17:18: Jesus prays, "As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world." This echoes the sentiment of John 20:21, emphasizing the disciples' role as representatives of Jesus in the world.
• Matthew 28:19-20 (The Great Commission): "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This passage elaborates on the nature and scope of the mission Jesus entrusts to His followers, directly stemming from the sending described in John 20:21.
• Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This verse highlights the empowerment through the Holy Spirit that enables the disciples to fulfill the mission Jesus gave them, a mission initiated by His own sending.
• Romans 10:14-15: "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'" This passage underscores the necessity of being sent to proclaim the Gospel, directly linking to the commission given in John 20:21.