John 20:23

If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; ¹  if you retain anyone’s sins, they are retained.” ² 

biblegateway Joh 20:23

If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

biblegateway Joh 20:23

"If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained."

biblegateway Joh 20:23

If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you refuse to forgive them, they are unforgiven."

biblegateway Joh 20:23

"If you forgive someone's sins, they're gone for good. If you don't forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?"

SABDAweb Joh 20:23

Any to whom you give forgiveness, will be made free from their sins; and any from whom you keep back forgiveness, will still be in their sins.

bibleoremus Joh 20:23

If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

biblegateway Joh 20:23

"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

biblegateway Joh 20:23

If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; ¹  if you retain anyone’s sins, they are retained.” ² 

¹ tn Grk “they are forgiven to them.” The words “to them” are unnecessary in English and somewhat redundant.

² sn The statement by Jesus about forgive or retaining anyone’s sins finds its closest parallel in Matt 16:19 and 18:18. This is probably not referring to apostolic power to forgive or retain the sins of individuals (as it is sometimes understood), but to the “power” of proclaiming this forgiveness which was entrusted to the disciples. This is consistent with the idea that the disciples are to carry on the ministry of Jesus after he has departed from the world and returned to the Father, a theme which occurred in the Farewell Discourse (cf. 15:27, 16:1-4, and 17:18).