Jesus breathes on the disciples. Breathing upon a human being is an act that in the Bible is done only by God, and it has a very profound meaning. In Genesis 2:8, God breathed into the first man’s nostrils, and the man became a living being. God’s breath coursed through the body. 

A second instance of God breathing upon human beings took place in the catastrophic sixth century BCE exile, when Israel almost ceased to exist. God showed the prophet Ezekiel a desert valley filled with the dry bones of scattered Israel (Ezekiel 37:8-10), “Then he said to me, ‘… breathe upon these slain, that they may come to life.’ I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them; they came to life, and stood on their feet, a vast army.’” 

The Old Testament shows us the meaning of God’s breathing on people. It brings them to life (the first man) and brings a community into being (exiled Israel). This is the meaning of Jesus breathing on his disciples in the Gospel of John. And, importantly, this is the meaning of Jesus breathing upon us, his church, today.  

Jesus breathes his spirit on his disciples as individuals, his way of remaining with them when he leaves: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.”  

Jesus breathes his spirit on his disciples as a community: “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.’” The group goes from frightened and guilt-ridden to a reconciled community.  

Another feature of the Church brought into being is mentioned in Acts: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers . . .All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.” An idealized picture, to be sure, but it shows us what life in community means. This kind of salvation begins not in the next world, but in this world. 

Richard Clifford, S.J., has taught biblical studies for 55 years, most recently at the Clough School of Theology and Ministry, Boston College, and has written many scholarly and popular books and articles.