21. The first peace (v. 19) was to quiet their hearts; the second was to prepare them for a fresh statement of their commission (cf. 17:18). Nothing had been changed in the plan of the Master for them. 22. He breathed on them. This recalls the creation of man (Gen 2:7), as though to announce the new creation, resulting not so much from the infusion of the breath of God as from the reception of the Holy Spirit (cf. 7:39). This need not rule out any relation to the Spirit in the days of earlier
John 20:21