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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 28:16 - 28:20
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_28:16-20
16But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Mat_28:16 "But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated" Jesus had told the disciples earlier (cf. Mat_26:32; Mat_27:7; Mat_27:10) that He would meet them there. If they had listened closely they would have expected the resurrection, but they did not. This was not the mount of Ascension. Jesus' ascension took place on the Mount of Olives forty days after the resurrection (cf. Luk_24:50-51; Act_1:4-11).
Mat_28:17
NASB "but some were doubtful"
NKJV, NRSV "but some doubted"
TEV "some of them doubted"
NJB "some hesitated"
This could not refer to the 120 disciples who had seen Him three times in Jerusalem in the Upper Room. Possibly it refers to the larger number of followers (upward of 500) that Paul mentioned in 1Co_15:6. Apparently Jesus appeared at a distance and walked closer to them. There was some physical difference in Jesus' appearance after the resurrection (cf. Joh_20:14; Joh_21:4; Luk_24:13; Luk_24:31).
The significance of this is that the Great Commission was not given to the Apostles alone, not even the hundred and twenty disciples of the Upper Room, but to the whole church. It is for all Christians, not just the church's leadership! It was given on at least three different occasions.
1. upper room, resurrection evening (cf. Luk_24:46-47; Joh_20:21)
2. on a mountain in Galilee (cf. Matthew 28)
3. on the Mount of Olives just before the ascension (cf. Act_1:8).
Mat_28:18 "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth" What a tremendous statement (cf. Mat_11:27; Luk_10:22; Joh_3:35; Joh_13:3; Eph_1:20-22; Col_1:16-19; Col_2:10; 1Pe_3:22)! Jesus must have been either the Messiah or a liar. His resurrection confirmed His claims!
Mat_28:19 "Go" This is an aorist passive (deponent)participle used as an imperative. This should not be interpreted "as you are going" because this would translate a present imperative, not an aorist. "Going" may be the most accurate option. All Christians are commanded to be lifestyle witnesses (cf. 1Pe_3:15 and possibly Col_4:2-6). It is a priority. This is the Great Commission-not the Great Option.
▣ "make disciples" This is an aorist active imperative. The term "disciples" meant "learners." The Bible does not emphasize decisions, but lifestyle faith. The key to evangelism is discipleship. However, discipleship must start with a repentant faith profession and continue in the same way unto obedience and perseverance.
▣ "of all the nations" This must have been a shocking statement to the Jews, but it follows Dan_7:14 which speaks of a universal, eternal kingdom (cf. Revelation 5). This is a reversal of Jesus' previous orders (cf. Mat_10:5-6). Notice the number of times that the inclusive "all" appears in this paragraph.
See hyperlink at Mat_24:14.
▣ "baptizing" This is a present active participle used as an imperative. This is balanced with "teach" (v.20). The two purposes of the Church are evangelism and discipleship. They are two sides of one coin. They cannot and must not be separated!
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▣ "in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" This three-Person formula may reflect Isa_42:1. Notice "in the name" is singular. The name of God is Triune (cf. Mat_3:16-17; Joh_14:26; Act_2:32-33; Act_2:38-39; Rom_1:4-5; Rom_5:1; Rom_5:5; Rom_8:1-4; Rom_8:8-10; 1Co_12:4-6; 2Co_1:21; 2Co_13:14;Gal_4:4-6; Eph_1:3-14; Eph_1:17; Eph_2:18; Eph_3:14-17; Eph_4:4-6; 1Th_1:2-5; 2Th_2:13; Tit_3:4-6; 1Pe_1:2; Jud_1:20-21). See Special Topics: The Trinity at Mat_3:17 and The Personhood of the Spirit at Mat_12:31.
The baptismal formula of Act_2:38, "in Jesus' name," cannot be exclusive to this formula in the Great Commission. Salvation is a series of acts both initial and continual: repentance, faith, obedience, and perseverance. It is not a liturgical formula or sacramental procedure. It is an intimate, daily, growing, personal relationship with God. This was/is the purpose of creation.
Mat_28:20 "teaching them" This is a present active participle used as an imperative. Notice that "what we teach" is not simply facts about Jesus, but obedience to all of His teachings. Christian maturity involves
1. a repentant faith profession
2. a life of Christlike living
3. a growing doctrinal understanding
▣ "I am with you always" This is emphatic. The personal presence of Jesus is always with believers. Emmanuel came (cf. Mat_1:23) and remains! There is a real fluidity between the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the indwelling Son (cf. Rom_8:9-10; 2Co_3:17; Gal_4:6; Php_1:19; Col_1:27). In Joh_14:23 both the Father and the Son indwell believers. In reality all three persons of the divine essence participate in all redemptive events. The One who has "all authority" and who is "with us always" has commanded us to evangelize and disciple all nations (note the four uses of "all" in the Great commission). With His presence and power we can to it!
▣ "to the end of the age" This refers to the two Jewish ages and was a reference to the Second Coming or consummation of the Kingdom of God. See hyperlink at Mat_12:31.
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