This coming Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. The gospel for Pentecost Sunday has two options. The first option is the beginning part of the same gospel used on the 2nd Sunday of Easter. The second option, also from John, is taken from the “Farewell Discourse” of John 14 when Jesus promises the disciples that although he is going away, he will send the “Advocate.”  This commentary focuses on the first option.

¹⁹ On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” ²⁰ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. ²¹ (Jesus) said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” ²² And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. ²³ Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (John 20:19-23)