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John 20:22
ESV And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
NIV And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
NASB And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.
CSB After saying this, he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
NLT Then he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.
KJV And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
NKJV And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

What does John 20:22 mean?

After Jesus' death and burial, His tomb was found open and empty (John 20:1–2). Despite being told that Jesus had appeared alive (John 20:17–18), the disciples were still hiding in fear when Jesus suddenly appeared to them (John 20:19). His first comments to them repeated the idea of His peace (John 20:21), echoing His earlier reassurance (John 14:25–27). Jesus had also noted that He was now sending them to continue His teaching, just as God the Father had sent Him (John 12:48–50; 13:20; 20:21).

When God created man, He "breathed" a spirit into Adam (Genesis 2:7). The Greek term for "spirit" can also be used to refer to wind or breath. Jesus' action here evokes the original creation of humanity and fulfils part of His promise to send the Holy Spirit (John 15:26–27). This will be crucial to their mission, though the full indwelling of the Spirit will not happen until Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4).

The primary role of the Holy Spirit is guidance (John 14:26). That especially involves matters of Jesus' teaching (John 16:13; Luke 12:12). That is one reason Jesus' references to the Spirit are often tied to the idea of "peace." This context is also extremely important for understanding Jesus' next remark, about the forgiveness of sins (John 20:23).
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