A Fresh Look at the “Great Commission” from Matthew
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18–20).
The “go” that begins these clauses is not a standalone imperative but a supporting participle. It is better, therefore, to regard “make disciples” as the general imperative which is filled out by the participles. It is assumed that we should “go” before we make disciples. “Make disciples” is not the first in a series but is the general imperative, which is explained by what follows. In other words, baptism and instruction in obedience belong to discipleship. The commission is also not so much fulfilled in the going but in the disciple making.
This baptism also has a trinitarian face, especially because all three persons are included in “the name.” Furthermore, it is possible that the one divine name—the name revealed to Moses (Exod. 3:13–15)—is shared by the Father with Jesus and the Spirit. Some texts speak of the Father giving his name to Jesus (John 17:1; Phil. 2:9; Rev. 19:12).
Matthew has often been called the most “Jewish” of the Gospels, but there has also been an emphasis that the message of the Messiah will be spread to the whole world (2:1–2; 8:11–12; 21:41–43; 22:8–10; 24:14, 31; 26:13). In these final verses this universal aspect is made very explicit (“all the nations”). No longer is the apostles’ mission restricted to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” as it was during the Galilean ministry (10:5–6). Any such limitations have now been dropped.
Matthew 28:18–20 has often been referred to as the “Great Commission.” There are four additional times when the resurrected Messiah issued a command to evangelize when he departs (Assuming that the events in Mark 16:9–20 actually occurred– There are four additional times when the resurrected Messiah issued a command to evangelize when he departs. We assume that the events in Mark 16:9 ff took place, although the passage is not included in some early manuscripts). The five commissions could be summarized as follows in roughly chronological order:
- “Repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). This is the message of the Great Commission.
- “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21). This is the authority of the Great Commission.
- “Disciple all nations” (Matt. 28:18). This is the goal of the Great Commission.
- “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15). This is the extent of the Great Commission.
- “Be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the end of the earth.” This is the strategy of the Great Commission.
In an inclusio that bookends this powerful Gospel, 1:23 initially called him “Immanuel” (“God with us”), and here Jesus reaffirms that name (“I am with you”). The promise of God’s presence often accompanied his call to service in the Old Testament (e.g., Exod. 3:12; Josh. 1:5). “It is not so much a cozy reassurance as a necessary equipment for mission. That the risen Lord can now make such a promise as God made to his people in the past brings the Gospel’s portrait of Jesus (‘God with us,’ 1:23) to a stupendous climax” (France). He was with them, and he is with us through His Spirit, in His Word, by His providential care, and with His divine presence.
“Always” assures Jesus’ disciples of his uninterrupted presence and implies an extended period that a worldwide making of disciples will take. “To the end of the age” assures the disciples of Jesus’ unending presence, which they will desperately need, especially during the unprecedented affliction that will face them (24: 4–14).
To summarize this chapter, the resurrection (28:1–10) enables the fulfillment of the “great commission” (28:16–20). The exaltation of Jesus as Lord of all marks the beginning of a Trinitarian-dominated mission. It vindicates the earthly Jesus, whose words must be obeyed. Finally, the resurrection is the act by which Jesus becomes the omnipresent help of his followers: “I am with you always.”
“This is the commission and promise that carried Livingstone into the heart of darkest Africa and that has encouraged and enabled messengers of Christ down through the years” (Wiersbe).
Homiletical Suggestion:
“Raised to Rule” (Matthew 28:16-20)
- Jesus’ Resurrection Inspires Our Worship
- Jesus’ Resurrection Displays His Authority
- Jesus’ Resurrection Demands Our Obedience
- Jesus’ Resurrection Guarantees His Presence
©2024 William Varner. Used with permission.
About The Author

William Varner
William Varner teaches at The Master’s University and is a pastor/teacher at Grace Baptist Church in Santa Clarita, Calif. He has written twenty books, including Passionate About the Passion Week: A Fresh Look at Jesus’ Last Days (Fontes Press, 2020).