King James Version

What Does John 20:21 Mean?

John 20:21 in the King James Version says “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” — study this verse from John chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

John 20:21 · KJV

Peace

Context

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.

Read John 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you—Christ repeats His peace greeting (v.19), this time as foundation for commissioning. The repetition emphasizes peace as essential to mission: only those possessing Christ's peace can bear His gospel. As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you—the Greek construction (kathōs...kagō, καθὼς...κἀγώ) creates parallel between Christ's sending and the disciples' sending. The Father's apostellō (ἀποστέλλω, official commissioning with authority) of the Son becomes the Son's pempō (πέμπω, sending with purpose) of disciples.

This commission establishes apostolic ministry's foundation: Christ's authority, Christ's mission, Christ's methods. The Father sent the Son into the world (John 3:17); now the risen Son sends disciples into the world (John 17:18). This parallels the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) but uniquely emphasizes continuity of mission—disciples continue Christ's work of manifesting God's glory, revealing truth, and gathering God's people. Mission flows from relationship with the risen Christ and participation in His continuing ministry through the church.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus's commission fulfilled His high priestly prayer: "As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world" (John 17:18). The Greek term apostolos (apostle) derives from apostellō (to send with authority), designating authorized representatives. Jewish culture understood the shaliach principle: "a man's agent is as himself"—the sent one carries the sender's authority.

This commission launched the church's missionary movement. Acts records the disciples' obedience: preaching in Jerusalem (Acts 2-7), Judea and Samaria (Acts 8-12), and to earth's ends (Acts 13-28). Church tradition places apostolic ministry across the Roman Empire and beyond: Thomas to India, Mark to Alexandria, Andrew to Scythia. The gospel's global spread from one locked room in Jerusalem demonstrates resurrection power transforming fearful disciples into world-changing witnesses.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding yourself as sent by Christ (as He was sent by the Father) transform your sense of purpose?
  2. What does it mean to continue Christ's mission in the world, and what would this look like in your context?
  3. Why must Christ's peace precede and undergird Christian mission and witness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
εἶπεν1 of 16

“said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

οὖν2 of 16

“Then”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

αὐτοῖς3 of 16

“to them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὁ4 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς5 of 16

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

πάλιν6 of 16

“again”

G3825

(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand

Εἰρήνη7 of 16

“Peace”

G1515

peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity

ὑμῖν·8 of 16

“be unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

καθὼς9 of 16

“as”

G2531

just (or inasmuch) as, that

ἀπέσταλκέν10 of 16

“hath sent”

G649

set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively

με11 of 16

“me”

G3165

me

ὁ12 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατήρ13 of 16

“my Father”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

κἀγὼ14 of 16

“I”

G2504

so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.

πέμπω15 of 16

“send”

G3992

to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ???? (as a stronger form of ????) refers rather to the objective point or <i>term

ὑμᾶς16 of 16

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 20:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 20:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 17:18-19John 13:20John 3:17Matthew 28:18-20Acts 1:8Mark 16:15-18

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