Contradictions and Paradoxes in John 20:22

Check out Contradictions Catalog of John 20:22 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts John 20:22. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to John, Jesus breathed on his friends and told them to receive the Holy Spirit. This means Jesus was giving them a special gift to help them and be with them always.

John 20:22: And when he had said this, he breathed on [them], and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Contradiction with Genesis 2:7

In Genesis, God breathes life into Adam, implying life comes from God alone, while John 20:22 depicts Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit into the disciples, implying Jesus shares in this divine attribute.

Genesis 2:7: And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. [of the dust...: Heb. dust of the ground]

Contradiction with John 7:39

This verse suggests the Holy Spirit was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified, whereas John 20:22 shows Jesus giving the Spirit before His ascension.

John 7:39: (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet [given]; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Contradiction with Acts 2:4

This verse describes the disciples receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which seems to contradict John 20:22 as it implies a separate occasion of receiving the Spirit.

Acts 2:4: And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Contradiction with 1 Corinthians 15:45

Refers to Jesus as the "last Adam" who became a life-giving spirit, suggesting a difference in how life or spirit is imparted compared to John 20:22.

1 Corinthians 15:45: And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit.

Contradiction with Acts 19:2

This verse describes believers not having received the Holy Spirit after believing, raising questions about the completeness of the giving of the Spirit in John 20:22.

Acts 19:2: He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

Paradox #1

The potential contradiction with the verse is about the timing of when the disciples receive the Holy Spirit. In this verse, Jesus gives them the Holy Spirit, but in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit is described as coming upon the disciples at Pentecost. This raises questions about whether there are two different occasions or if they are the same event described differently.

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