John 20:23

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Ἄν τινων ἀφῆτε τὰς ἁμαρτίας, ἀφιένται αὐτοῖς· ἄν τινων κρατῆτε, κεκράτηνται.

Transliteration

If of any you aphete the hamartias, they are aphientai to them; if of any you kratete, they have been kekratentai.

Grammar Details

*aphete*: aorist active subjunctive 2nd person plural - you might forgive/release
*hamartias*: accusative feminine plural - sins/failures
*aphientai*: present passive indicative 3rd person plural - they are forgiven/released
*kratete*: present active subjunctive 2nd person plural - you might retain/hold
*kekratentai*: perfect passive indicative 3rd person plural - they have been retained/held

Word Meanings

*an*: if/in case (conditional particle)
*aphete*: forgive/release/let go
*hamartias*: sins/failures/misdeeds
*aphientai*: are forgiven/released/pardoned
*kratete*: retain/hold/keep
*kekratentai*: have been retained/held/kept (perfect tense emphasizes continuing result)

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Matt 16:19 : 19 I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matt 18:18 : 18 Truly I say unto you, what things soever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Acts 10:43 : 43 To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name every one that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins.
Acts 13:38-39 : 38 Be it known unto you therefore, {G435} brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins: 39 and by him every one that believeth is justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Mark 2:5-9 : 5 And Jesus seeing their faith saith unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins are forgiven. 6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doth this man thus speak? he blasphemeth: who can forgive sins but one, [even] God? 8 And straightway Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, saith unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins are forgiven; {G4671} or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (he saith to the sick of the palsy),
Acts 2:38 : 38 And Peter [said] unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
2 Cor 2:6-9 : 6 Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was [inflicted] by the many; 7 so that contrariwise ye should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his overmuch sorrow. 8 Wherefore I beseech you to confirm [your] love toward him. 9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye are obedient in all things. 10 But to whom ye forgive anything, I [forgive] also: for {G1063} what I also have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, for your sakes {G5209} [have I] [forgiven it] in the presence of Christ;
Eph 2:20 : 20 being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone;
1 Tim 1:20 : 20 of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.
1 Cor 5:4 : 4 in the name of our Lord Jesus, {G5547} {G4863} ye being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord {G5547} Jesus,

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

John 20:20-22
3 verses
82%
20And when he had said this, he showed unto them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord.
21Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
22And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit:
Mark 3:28-29
2 verses
76%
28Verily I say unto you, All their sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and their blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
29but whosoever shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit hath never forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin:
Luke 7:47-49
3 verses
75%
47Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loveth little.
48And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
49And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that even forgiveth sins?
Matt 12:31-32
2 verses
75%
31Therefore I say unto you, Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.
32And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come.
Luke 5:20-21
2 verses
74%
20And seeing their faith, he said, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
21And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this that speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
Matt 18:18
73%
18Truly I say unto you, what things soever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Luke 5:23-24
2 verses
73%
23Which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and walk?
24But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (he said unto him that was palsied), I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go unto thy house.
Matt 6:14-15
2 verses
72%
14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
2 Cor 2:10
72%
10But to whom ye forgive anything, I [forgive] also: for {G1063} what I also have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, for your sakes {G5209} [have I] [forgiven it] in the presence of Christ;
Mark 2:9-10
2 verses
72%
9Which is easier, to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins are forgiven; {G4671} or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
10But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (he saith to the sick of the palsy),
Mark 2:5
72%
5And Jesus seeing their faith saith unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins are forgiven.
Matt 9:5-6
2 verses
71%
5For which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and walk?
6But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (then saith he to the sick of the palsy), Arise, and take up thy bed, and go up unto thy house.
Mark 2:7
71%
7Why doth this man thus speak? he blasphemeth: who can forgive sins but one, [even] God?
Matt 16:19
71%
19I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Mark 11:25
71%
25And whensoever ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any one; that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Luke 12:10
71%
10And every one who shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Spirit it shall not be forgiven.
Matt 18:35
70%
35So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.
Acts 13:38
69%
38Be it known unto you therefore, {G435} brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins:
Acts 2:38
69%
38And Peter [said] unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
John 13:20
68%
20Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth {G5100} whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
Luke 6:37
68%
37And judge not, and ye shall not {G3361} be judged: and condemn not, and ye shall not {G3361} be condemned: release, and ye shall be released:
Luke 17:3-4
2 verses
68%
3Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother sin, {G1519} {G4571} rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
4And if he sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Rom 4:7
68%
7[ saying], Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, And whose sins are covered.
John 9:41
67%
41Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye would have no sin: but now ye say, We see: {G3767} your sin remaineth.
John 20:24
67%
24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
John 8:34
67%
34Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin.
Luke 7:43
67%
43Simon answered and said, He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
Col 1:14
67%
14in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins:
Luke 23:34
67%
34And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his garments among them, they cast lots.
Matt 9:2
67%
2And behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven.
Acts 10:43
66%
43To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name every one that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins.
John 20:26
66%
26And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace [be] unto you.
Matt 18:21
66%
21Then came Peter and said to him, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times?
Col 3:13
66%
13forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye:
Mark 3:15
66%
15and to have authority to cast out demons:
Matt 6:12
66%
12And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Mark 4:12
66%
12that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest haply they should turn again, and it should be forgiven them.