Skip to content

Jesus gives the ministry to His disciples (the authority to forgive or not forgive sins). We are His disciples too with that same authority.

BibleGateway: John 20:19-31

ESV Text: John 20:19-31


KJV Text:

The section starts at about 2:22 and ends at about 4:28

Right click here to save the file for off-line use.

     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. 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

     26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.(KJV)


Hymn: TLH 208 :
Ye Sons and Daughters of the King

Hymnary.org — Organ Audio

Right click here to save the file for off-line use.

1. Ye sons and daughters of the King, 
Whom heavenly hosts in glory sing, 
Today the grave hath lost its sting: 
Alleluia! 

2. On that first morning of the week, 
Before the day began to break, 
The Marys went their Lord to seek: 
Alleluia! 

3. An angel bade their sorrow flee, 
For thus he spake unto the three: 
“Your Lord is gone to Galilee”: 
Alleluia! 

4. That night the Apostles met in fear, 
Amidst them came their Lord most dear 
And said: “Peace be unto you here”: 
Alleluia! 

5. When Thomas afterwards had heard 
That Jesus had fulfilled His word, 
He doubted if it were the Lord: 
Alleluia! 

6. “Thomas, behold My side,” saith He, 
“My hands, My feet, My body, see; 
“And doubt not, but believe in Me”: 
Alleluia! 

7. No longer Thomas then denied; 
He saw the feet, the hands, the side; 
“Thou art my Lord and God,” he cried: 
Alleluia! 

8. Blessed are they that have not seen 
And yet whose faith hath constant been, 
In Life eternal they shall reign: 
Alleluia! 

9. On this most holy day of days 
To God your hearts and voices raise 
In laud and jubilee and praise: 
Alleluia! 

10. And we with holy Church unite, 
As evermore is just and right, 
In glory to the King of light: 
Alleluia! 


Hymn: LSB 472 These Things Did Thomas Count as Real
Hymnary.org