Receive Ye the Holy Ghost Instantly! by W.V. Grant

That is, declared he sent them forth in like manner as his Father sent him:

Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd when he had said this. He also useth words, expounding his action in breathing, and carrying with them an authority, which being once spoken, the thing was done. Christ breatheth into his apostles the Holy Spirit thereby showing, that the Holy Spirit proceedeth, as from the Father, so also from him as the breath of a man proceedeth from him. The name, Spirit, signifieth a breath and it is said, that in the creation God breathed into Adam the breath of life. This conferring of the Spirit upon them he confirms to them by breathing, as an exterior sign or symbol. But he here assures them of the presence of the Holy Spirit with them, in their more ordinary ministry, in instructing and governing the church. They did not till after this receive the gift of tongues, &c. They before this had received the Spirit as a Spirit of sanctification, and had received a power to work miracles. Matthew Poole's Commentary The apostles could not but be apprehensive how great a work their Lord had laid upon them, in sending them as his Father had sent him, to carry the gospel over the world Who (said Paul afterward) is sufficient for these things? Our Lord therefore fortifies them with an earnest of that more plentiful effusion of the Spirit, which they afterward received in the days of Pentecost.

Receive Ye the Holy Ghost Instantly! by W.V. Grant