John 20:21 Meaning and Explanation
“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The risen Jesus commissions his disciples, reiterating peace and setting them on the same mission he received from the Father.
The Context of John 20:21
Jesus, in the locked room, continues his greeting of peace and commissions the disciples with a statement parallel to his own sending by the Father.
What Does John 20:21 Mean?
Three times the risen Christ says ''Peace be unto you'' in this passage. Now he links peace with purpose. As the Father sent the Son into the world with a mission of redemption and witness, so the Son sends his disciples. This is not a grievance or a burden; it flows from the same love that sent Jesus into flesh, to broken places, to speak healing and hope.
We inherit the mission of Jesus. We too are sent, not abandoned. Like him, we go into a world that often does not welcome the message of peace. Yet we carry something true. The peace Jesus offers is not sentimental. It is the deep coherence of a life ordered toward God''s purposes.
John 20:21 in the Original Language
apostello (Greek), 'to send out with purpose' -- the verb root from which 'apostle' derives; the disciples are now apostles, sent ones.
How to Apply John 20:21 Today
You are sent. Into your family, workplace, community, you carry the message of peace and the work of reconciliation. How will you answer that sending?
Frequently Asked Questions About John 20:21
What does John 20:21 mean?
The risen Jesus commissions his disciples, reiterating peace and setting them on the same mission he received from the Father.
What is the context of John 20:21?
Jesus, in the locked room, continues his greeting of peace and commissions the disciples with a statement parallel to his own sending by the Father.
How can I apply John 20:21 today?
You are sent. Into your family, workplace, community, you carry the message of peace and the work of reconciliation. How will you answer that sending?