Whose Sins YOU Forgive ARE Forgiven THEM, and Whose Sins YOU Retain ARE Retained

What do these words of Jesus mean? Most Christian churches do not believe in the institution of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Though a few, notably the Catholic and Orthodox churches among others, do hold that Christ, with these words, instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation on the evening of that first Easter Sunday.

For the Christian churches that do not hold that Jesus instituted this sacrament, to whom do they suppose Jesus is referring to when He used the words “YOU” and “THEM” in this important verse from John’s Gospel (Jn 20:23)? Is He referring to all of His disciples when He said YOU?

In both parts of this verse, Jesus is delegating His authority to those persons referred to as “YOU” with extraordinary powers to forgive and, in some cases, to retain sins not only here on earth but implicitly by God in heaven as well. This implicit reference is clearly delineated by Jesus’ definitive use of the word “ARE” in both the first and second parts of this verse.

The problem with this interpretation becomes plain to see in light of what Jesus said in the second part of the verse. If we assume the “YOU” refers to all of His disciples rather than some subset of them, then we must further assume that Jesus has enabled all of His disciples to withhold the forgiveness of other peoples’ sins.

If this interpretation is correct, every Christian has the means to withhold forgiveness and have its effect bound in heaven. What good would come of that? We know that Jesus must be true to His word. Imagine the arbitrariness of humanity binding in heaven such things! How can that make any sense? Think of the chaos that would ensue.

If we therefore conclude that Jesus is not speaking to all of His disciples, then to whom is He referring to?

From the Catholic and Orthodox perspective He is speaking to His Apostles, who are the foundation stones of His newly founded Church.

But this forgiveness and retention of sins was not meant to be the exclusive delegated authority of the Apostles alone; but to include the bishops, who as the successors to the Apostles, would receive such delegated authority as well.

Afterall, Jesus knew His Church would endeavor to carry out its mission for the salvation of souls to the end of time; long past the lifetime of His Apostles.

As the Church grew, this authority was further delegated by the bishops to the priests to ensure all of Christ’s disciples had readily available access to this Sacrament.

One might ask why Jesus made such a declaration in the first place? Jesus knew that the Sacrament of Baptism would remove all sins of the newly baptized. But He also knew that humanities’ fallen nature would lead His disciples back into sin, and at times into deadly sin.

Therefore in order to provide a remedy for this, He knew that His Church had to provide a means of reconciliation with God for these poor souls post-baptism. We are all sinners as John stated:

“If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not with us” 1Jn 1:10

John further stated:

“There is such a thing as a deadly sin, about which I do not say you should pray. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly.” (1Jn 5:16b)

Thus, there are two categories of sin based upon the severity of the wrongdoing. The Catholic and Orthodox churches have always held that to obtain forgiveness of a deadly sin one must seek reconciliation with God by means of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Now if, as all Christians believe, an outward action is necessary for salvation, namely baptism, doesn’t it stand to reason that Jesus would desire an outward action to forgive sins committed post-baptism?

One might ask when forgiveness of sins is ever withheld. Two conditions must be present for the confessor to forgive one’s sins. They are (1) true contrition for committing the sin and; (2) a firm purpose of amendment in one’s life to avoid that sin in the future.

Many Christians object to this notion. Thinking one must seek such forgiveness directly from God himself. But then one must ask why did Jesus say:

“Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them and whose sins you retain are retained” (Jn 20:23)

To fully grasp Jesus’ actions in this important verse from John’s Gospel we need to examine the verse that precedes it.

“Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (Jn 20:22)

These two gospel verses are intrinsically linked. By virtue of receiving the Holy Spirit, the Apostles have been delegated by Jesus with this awesome authority to forgive sins.

Armed with the seven sacraments of the Church, all instituted by Christ, the Apostles were sent forth to minister these sacraments with great care to converts, while making good on the great commission of Jesus, by making disciples of all the nations!

Sadly, today so many do not avail themselves of these sacraments, which bestow innumerable graces upon the recipient. Foremost of these underutilized sacraments is the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

One must ask why so many are avoiding this sacrament? The reasons are varied as they are many. Ultimately each of us must ask why Jesus granted this authority to forgive sins to His Apostles if not for the obvious purpose!

My hope is that some of you who are reading this article will return to this great sacrament of forgiveness! I am certain you will be glad that you did. For nothing is so soothing to the soul than to hear these words “By the ministry of the Church, I absolve you of all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”! It truly brings peace to one’s soul!