Matthew 28:16-20 · Matthew

Great Commission

The eleven disciples go to a mountain in Galilee as instructed by Jesus. Jesus appears to them, and though some doubt, he gives them the Great Commission to teach and baptize all nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Summary

The Great Commission is a significant passage found in Matthew 28:16-20, where Jesus gives final instructions to his disciples after his resurrection. The setting is a mountain in Galilee, where Jesus had directed his eleven remaining disciples to meet him. This event occurs after Jesus has risen from the dead, marking a pivotal moment as he prepares to leave his followers with a mission. The disciples arrive at the designated mountain, and upon seeing Jesus, they worship him, although some among them experience doubt (verse 17).

In the passage, Jesus approaches the disciples and begins by asserting his authority, stating that all power in heaven and on earth has been given to him (verse 18). He then commissions them to go forth and make disciples of all nations. This involves baptizing people in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (verse 19). Furthermore, Jesus instructs them to teach these new disciples to observe all the commandments he has given them (verse 20). This directive establishes the disciples' role in spreading Jesus' teachings and expanding the community of believers.

The passage concludes with Jesus reassuring his disciples that he will be with them always, even to the end of the world (verse 20). This promise of continual presence provides them with confidence and support as they undertake their mission. The text presents the significance of these events as the formal commissioning of the disciples to carry on Jesus' work and teachings to all nations.

Chiastic structure

ⓘ
A

Matthew 28:16-17

“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee... they worshipped him: but some doubted.”

B

Matthew 28:18-19

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations...”

A'

Matthew 28:20

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway...”

The initial gathering and worship of Jesus (A) corresponds to Jesus' promise of his continual presence (A') as both emphasize the relationship and connection between Jesus and his disciples.

Interpretation and theological stakes

The primary conclusion of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20 is the transfer of authority from Jesus to his disciples, marking them as the agents of his mission on earth. The passage emphasizes Jesus' declaration of having all authority in heaven and on earth (verse 18). This authority is the foundation for the disciples' mission to make followers of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to adhere to Jesus' teachings (verses 19-20). The text underscores the importance of this mission by assuring the disciples of Jesus' continual presence, offering them divine support as they spread his teachings globally.

One mainstream interpretation, particularly in Catholic tradition, views Jesus' authority as a divine endorsement for the Church's role in continuing his mission. This reading highlights the universality of Jesus' command and the Church's responsibility to uphold and propagate the faith. The phrase "all power is given unto me" (verse 18) is seen as a direct link to the Church's authority to administer sacraments, teach, and guide believers. The directive to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (verse 19) is interpreted as the foundation for the sacramental life of the Church, underscoring its central role in the spiritual journey of believers.

In contrast, the Reformed Protestant interpretation emphasizes the individual's relationship with scripture and faith as central to the Great Commission. This perspective views Jesus' authority as a divine mandate not only for institutional Church action but also for personal engagement with the Gospel. The command to teach all nations (verse 19) is read as an invitation for individual believers to share the Gospel personally. The emphasis is on scripture as the means through which discipleship and teaching are conducted, focusing on the individual's commitment to living out Jesus' teachings (verse 20).

Considering both interpretations, the Great Commission underscores the dual importance of institutional and individual roles in spreading the Gospel. While the Catholic reading highlights the Church's structural and sacramental responsibilities, the Reformed Protestant view focuses on personal faith and scripture. Together, these interpretations suggest that the mission of the disciples involves a balance of community-driven and personal faith efforts. This balance is crucial for understanding the multifaceted nature of the Christian mission as both a collective and individual endeavor, sustained by Jesus' enduring presence.

Continue reading with a Scholar plan

Upgrade to Scholar