NAIROBI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY/ILU

THE TRUE MEANING OF THE GREAT COMMISSION IN MATTHEW 28:16-20

AND ITS APPLICATION TODAY

AN EXEGETICAL PAPER PRESENTED TO REV STEPHEN M. KIM (PHD) AS

AN ASSIGNMENT FOR GREEK BASIC AND USE OF RESOURCES GRK 500

BY

SEBLEWONGEL M. WOLDE

STUDENT BOX NO. 164

NAIROBI, KENYA

12TH DEC 2011

 THE TRUE MEANING OF THE GREAT COMMISSION IN MATTHEW 28:16-20 AND
ITS APPLICATION TODAY

Introduction

The book of Matthew is one of the four gospels that presented the life of Jesus Christ

in the New Testament. It is the historical fact of the incarnation of the Son of man, the suf-

fering, the death and the resurrection of His life, including His earthly ministry before He

went back to the Father. It is one of the messages of the Good News. The book narrates the

life and the work of Christ on earth. However, it also gives some enlightenment on how to be

saved (Matt. 5:16). The book also presents in a very classical way the commissioning of the

disciples to all nations after the death and the resurrection of Jesus.1

The book of Matthew is known for introducing the Great Commission (Matt. 28:16-

20) to its readers. The original Greek text reads: Oi` de. e[ndeka maqhtai. u`ph/gon eivj th.n

Galilai,an( eivj to. o;roj o[pou parh,ggeilen eivj auvtou.j o` VIhsou/jÅ Kai. ivdo,ntej auvto.n

proseku,nhsan auvto,n( tine.j de. evdi,stasanÅ Kai. proselqw.n o` VIhsou/j( evla,lhse pro.j auvtou,j(

le,gwn\ VEdo,qh eivj evme. pa/sa evxousi,a evn ouvranw/| kai. evpi. gh/jÅ Poreuqe,ntej loipo.n

maqhteu,sate pa,nta ta. e;qnh( bapti,zontej auvtou.j eivj to. o;noma tou/ Patro.j kai. tou/ Ui`ou/ kai.

tou/ ~Agi,ou Pneu,matoj( dida,skontej auvtou.j na. fula,ttwsi pa,nta o[sa parh,ggeila eivj evsa/j\

kai. ivdou,( evgw. ei=mai meq, u`mw/n pa,saj ta.j h`me,raj e[wj th/j suntelei,aj tou/ aivwn/ ojÅ VAmh,nÅ2

1
William Hendrickson, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book
House, 1973), 3.
2
Bible Works. Bible Works for Windows 6.0 CD-ROM (Norfolk, VA: Bible Works,
LLC.2003).

1
 2

The importance of the Great Commission has not ceased with early apostles; it has

great significances in today’s church too. The purpose of this paper is to exegete the true

meaning of the Great Commission in the early apostolic Church and its application in today’s

Church.

Background

The author of the book of Matthew presents his writings in a very classical method of

style and narrates the story of Jesus in a messianic way. While Matthew, Mark, Luke have

distinct purpose, they all view the life of Jesus Christ. It is possible to classify the book of

Matthew as one of the historical biography of Jesus Christ the Messiah.3 The core purpose of

the message of the synoptic gospels and the gospel of John is to present the “Good News” to

the whole world.4

The book of Matthew is a very organized classic book with its literary style. The lit-

erature style is more messianic than the rest of the gospels; the book narrates the commission-

ing of Jesus Christ the Messiah from consumption to the death. It also gives highlight the

resurrection and returning back of Jesus to the Father where He came from after accomplish-

ing His mission. In the very beginning, the book narrates how this messiah is going to be

born: “and she will bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save his

people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21).

Jesus came to fulfil all righteousness as commissioned from the Father: “Permit it to

be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness” (Matt. 1:15). After fulfilling

what He had been commissioned to fulfil (dying for the sin of the whole world according to

3
Craig S. Keener, Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove:
InterVarsity Press), 39.
4
Louis A. Barbieri, The Bible knowledge Commentary, Ed. John F Walvoord and Roy
B. Zuck (Colorado: Cook communications Ministries, 2000), 13.
 3

Matthew 1:21 and John 1:29), the same way He was commissioned to this world also He

commissioned His disciples to the whole world, to all mankind. Jesus said, “Peace to you! As

the father has sent me, I also send you” (John 20:21). The word send in original Greek is

pe,mpw, and it has the same meaning with commission, and appoint.5 The original Greek text

reads “world” as ko,smou meaning “world, world order, universe; world inhabitants, mankind

(especially of men hostile to God); world, realm of existence, way of life (especially as op-

posed to the purpose of God),”6 The resurrected Jesus who had finished the redemption plan

of God now commissioned His disciples in the same way as His Father commissioned Him.7

His task was to save humanity from the hands of the enemy by His own blood; however, the

task of the disciples was to preach this forgiveness of sin to nations and reconcile all mankind

to God through the Good News. In both ways it is the work of reconciliation.

The writer of Matthew presents the commissioning of the disciples by Jesus Christ

(Matt.28:16-21). However, the gospel of John illustrates the commissioning of the eleven

apostles to the whole world (John 20:21).

Exegesis of Matthew 28:16-20

Jesus not long before He ascended to His father commissioned His disciples. Howev-

er, the commissioning process seems very unique and related with the commissioning of

Moses in the Mount Sinai (Exod. 3). The eleven disciples have to go to the mountain of the

Galilee where Jesus has promised to meet them. The mountain Galilai,an (Galilee) has his-

torical significance in the commissioning of the disciples into the whole world.

5
Bible work, Bible Works for Window 6.0 CD-ROM.
6
Ibid.
7
Kenneth L. Gentry, The Greatness of the Great Commission (Texas: Institute for
Christian Economics, 1993), 31.
 4

God has revealed Himself historically on the top of mountains. The commissioning

of Moses was on the top the mountain of God (Horeb, Sinai). He was commissioned to go to

Egypt to deliver the Israelites from the hands of the Egyptians so that they can sacrifice for

Yahweh alone and worship Him. Literally speaking, Moses was given the Great Commission

Command on the top of the mountain to make the people of Israel the worshipers of God or

the disciples of Yahweh.8 The word “disciple” in the original Greek text is maqhth,j, “ one

who follows one’s teaching” as a “disciple.” 9 A disciple is a follower who transforms into

the exact likeness of their master through total obedient and submission.

The purpose of Moses was to prepare the Israelites to worship God (for them to be-

come followers or disciples of God (Exod. 4:22); however, the Israelites called themselves

disciples of Moses rather than the disciples of God (John 9:28).

The eleven maqhtai. (disciples) (noun nominative masculine plural common) went to

Mount Galilee as Jesus had told them and while there, some worshiped Him but others

doubted (v.17). The Greek word e[ndeka defines only the eleven disciples of Jesus, the fact

that one of disciples of Jesus, Judas, committed suicide (Matt. 26:32 & 28:10). Worship in

the original Greek text is proskune,w “worship; fall down and worship, kneel, bow low, fall at

another's feet,” as Moses worshiped the angel of the LORD from the burning bush (Exod. 3).

The Greek root for doubt is dista,zw “to be doubt and hesitate,”10 from the beginning the

disciples had difficulty in believing Jesus had actually risen from the dead (Luke 24:10,11

8
Craig S. Keener, Bible Background Commentary (Downers Grove: Intervarsity
Press, 1993), 130.
9
Merrill F. Unger and William White, An Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words
(Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1960), 171.
10
Bible Works, Bible Works for Window 6.0 CD-ROM.
 5

John 20:24-25). Therefore, Jesus spoke to them (the eleven disciples) so that they may be-

lieve in Him so that He can commission them. (Mat. 28:18-20)

The Great Claim

Jesus said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt.

28:18). The original Greek text reads this portion as, “le,gwn\ evdo,qh moi pa/sa evxousi,a evn

ouvranw/| kai. evpi. Îth/jÐ gh/j.” implying “His authority is world-wide and absolute so their

commission was also world-wide”.11 The word evxousi,a means authority, right, liberty; abil-

ity, capability; supernatural power; ruling power, government, official; jurisdiction (Luke

23.7). It literally means there is no greater power than Christ’s authority in the entire uni-

verse. The word ouvranw/| (heaven) is used to mean “sky, air, heavenly celestial, heavenly,

celestial, heavenly realms.”12 The Greek word used as an adjective pa/sa [pa/j] defines the

type of authority that He has been given. His authority is over all earth and heavenly realms.

Paul in 1 Corinthians15:27 say that “for He has put all things under His feet.’’ But when he

says “all things are put under him” it is evident that He who put all things under him is ex-

empted. God has put everything under His power; there is nothing greater than him from

heavenly and from earthly dominion. The word gh/j “earth” includes the earth; land, country,

region; soil, ground; mankind.”13 There is no other greater person or god who is born [came]

11
H. L. Ellison, New International Bible Commentary, ed. F.F. Bruce (Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 1979), 1154.
12
John R. KohenbergerII1, Edward W. Goodrick and James A. Swanson, the Greek-
English Concordance to the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997), 1062-1095.
13
KohenbergerII1 and Goodrick and Swanson, The Greek-English Concordance to
the New Testament, 1202.
 6

into this word like Him. “The son becomes the one through whom all God’s authority is

mediated.”14

Jesus’ authority is now greater than before His death. He holds the key of David to

unseal what has been sealed by the enemies and to open and shut. No authority can stand

him above heaven and earth. Revelation 3:7 says, “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia

write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he

opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” Jesus is now assuring His disci-

ples of the authority now given to Him fully to exercise without any resistance from the devil.

The death penalty has been paid once for all. The Greek verbal indicative word evdo,qh moi

“given to me” gives clarity that the power now belongs to Him after the resurrection. God

has given Him that authority as a reward of faithful and obedient servant, who fulfilled the

redemption plan of God. His great claim to the disciples was to give them power and faith to

believe in Him so that they do not fear to go to the nations. He was preparing their hearts for

the Great Commission 15

The Great Commission

Jesus after building confidence in His disciples, He gives the Great Commission to

them. The writer of Matthew presented the command of Jesus by using the word ou=n “there-

fore” or “after” poreuqe,ntej “go”. It is used as a coordinating conjunction inference of the

overall authority given to Jesus. It is directly connected with the great claim of Jesus authori-

ty (v. 18). Since He has all authority over all mankind and universe, the disciples MUST go

to all nations with all confidences to make disciples. Jesus elaborates the Great Commission

14
Frank E. Gaebelen, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Regency
Reference Library,1984), 595
15
Hendrikson, New Testament Commentary, 998.
 7

by using the word “therefore” and declares the purpose of Great Commission16: “poreuqe,ntej

ou=n maqhteu,sate pa,nta ta. e;qnh( bapti,zontej auvtou.j eivj to. o;noma tou/ patro.j kai. tou/ ui`ou/

kai. tou/ a`gi,ou pneu,matoj(” translated in NIV: “Therefore go and make disciples of all na-

tions, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”(Matt.

28:19).

Jesus starts commissioning His disciples by telling them to go poreuqe,ntej (an imper-

ative command) to do His work and to fulfill His command. As Moses had to go to Egypt to

accomplish His calling, also Jesus had to come to this world to accomplish His calling. For

the disciples, to fulfill the Great Commission they have to go to all nations. The word go is

not the question of where and where not to go, it is a command that cannot be ignored but as

they go, they are supposed to make disciples from every tribe and language.17 The Greek

verbal word poreuqe,ntej “go” is in a plural state that shows that all the eleven disciples of

Jesus had to go make disciples. It was an exclusive command; it did not exclude any body. It

was not an option; but, a MUST “to go.”

The command of Jesus for His disciple was maqhteu,sate pa,nta ta. e;qnh (make disci-

ples of all nations,). “Make disciples” is an imperative (a command, verb imperative aorist

active 2nd person plural). The disciples have to make other disciples from all nations. Nation

stands for “nation, people; ta. e;Å non-Jews, Gentiles; pagans, heathen, unbelievers.” However,

the word pa,nta gives emphasis to the point of all the nations that includes Israel (Jewish

people). There are two views concerning e;qnh, “the nation”. First, the view that includes

Israel as part of the nations, and second, one that strictly excludes Israel out of the nations by

arguing that the word e;qnh addresses only gentiles. But according to Jesus command He did

16
Gaebelein, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, 594.
17
David M. Howard. The Great Commission for Today (Downers Grove: Intervarsity
Press, 1976), 66.
 8

not specifically exclude Israel from His mandate; He included her with every nation; lan-

guage and tribe. Therefore the command of making disciples includes Israel as part of the

nations.18

It was (is) the missionary agenda of Christ sending His disciples to all languages (na-

tion) to make disciples. John 3:16 clearly points out Jesus dying for the whole world: "For

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall

not perish but have eternal life (NIV). God did not send His only son for some nations; how-

ever, He sent him for all mankind to save all who believe in Him (v17). Israel was part of the

Great Commission where the disciples needed to go and make other disciples of Jesus. All

nations are the designation of all tribes and languages. It includes “Not just the Jews scat-

tered among the Gentiles, but the Gentiles themselves in every land.”19 God’s agenda is to

make the whole world a follower of Jesus (Believers). Making disciples was the core aspect

of the Great Commission (Command) for Jesus.

The disciples were commanded by Jesus to make disciples (follower learner) such as

like them. This accommodated evangelism as the heart of the Great Commission. Making

disciples is more than having any meetings in a Church service. It requires total dedication

from the master, to teach and follow them as much possible in regular basis. 20 The aim of the

Great Commission is to facilitate the whole world (nations) to be saved in Christ Jesus so that

entire nations can come under one umbrella of Christ leadership. This has an eschatological

message within its context. It facilitates the future universal reign of Christ on this earth.

18
Howard. The Great Commission for Today, 66.
19
Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (New York:
Harper & Brother Publisher, 1930), 245.
20
Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Picture in the New Testament (New York:
Harper 5 Brother publisher, 1930), 245
 9

Baptizing Them

Making disciple also includes bapti,zontej auvtou.j baptizing them. It is an imperative

command; it cannot be ignored by the disciples. They have to go, teach and baptize them in

the name of the father, Son and Holy Spirit. In order one to be baptized one should believe

and confess Christ. It is an action of confession of faith. Rome 10:9 says, “if you confess

with the mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the

dead, you will be saved.” To believe in Him, one need to be taught the truth about the saving

power of Jesus Christ from sin so that the person may receive Him as Savior (Acts 2:41).

Christian baptism requires previously doing evangelism and leading the person into

salvation (believing in the name of the Lord). The preaching or the teaching of Philip to the

Ethiopian eunuch was one of the aspects that give emphasis on the importance doing teaching

before baptism. A person needs to understand the gospel of salvation and confess with his

mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord to qualify for baptism. It is directly related to doing evange-

lism.

Baptism without teaching should not happen. The command of the Great Commission

requires first and foremost, teaching and then the act of declaration of the faith will follow it.

Baptism and teaching are ways and characteristics of making disciples. The word teaching is

also comes within the context of making disciples at the beginning of doing evangelism in

order to disciple one. The Greek word dida,skontej (verb participle present active nomina-

tive masculine plural) itself does not bring out the word “teach” in verse 19; however, it is

one aspect of making disciples. Hendrickson says,

Accordingly, when through the preaching of the Word a person has been brought form
darkness into light, and confesses the Triune God, Father, son, and Holy Spirit, to be
the Object of his faith, hope, and love, then the sacrament of baptism is the sign and
the seal that God the father adopts him as his son and heir; that God the son washes
his sins away by his precious blood; and God the holy spirit dwells in him, and will
 10

sanctify him; actually imparting to him that which objectively he already has, Christ,
and at last bringing him from the church Militant into the church Triumphant.21

Jesus declares the type of baptism they need to baptize new disciples by being specif-

ic: “bapti,zontej auvtou.j eivj to. o;noma tou/ patro.j kai. tou/ ui`ou/ kai. tou/ a`gi,ou pneu,matoj(”

“baptizing in the name of the Father , and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” therefore, “ caus-

ing them to submit to a rite which results in their becoming disciples of, and confers upon

them fellowship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”22 In the name of ou/ ui`ou/ “the Son” im-

plies to the name Christ itself and none other. The article attached ou/ defines it more. The

Son is the one who shares the exact likeness of the patro.j “Father”. Allen says, “In the name

of Christ on the other hand lays stress on the result of the ceremony. The person baptized

became “into the name of Christ” i.e became His disciple, i.e. entered into a state of alle-

giance to Him and fellowship with Him.”23

Teaching them to Observe

In verse 20, Jesus instructs His disciples to teach the new converts showing that teach-

ing will continue after baptism too. The disciple not only does evangelism and baptism but

also teaches all the commandments that they have been taught to observe. The Greek text

reads, “dida,skontej auvtou.j threi/n pa,nta o[sa evneteila,mhn u`mi/n..” The NIVEnglish transla-

tion interoperates as “and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” This

teaching may help the person to grow spiritually and facilitate sanctification. The early

21
Hendrickson, New Testament Commentary,1001.
22
Willoughby C. Allen, Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel Accord-
ing to Matthew (Edinburgh:Morrison and Gibb Limited, 1977), 306.
23
Ibid.
 11

church was interested in edification as well as evangelism, in sanctification as well as conver-

sion, in church government as well as preaching.”24 This teaching is supposed to be:

1. All that Jesus has commanded them.

2. Everything that Jesus taught them or passed on to the next generation

or the new converts.

3. Be unadulterated. They cannot add or subtract from His word while

they are teaching (Rev. 22:18).

The disciples need to teach them to observe all things they have been taught by Christ.

They must pass onto the new disciples, without adding or subtracting from His teaching so

that false teaching and cult movements do not arise from within them.

The Great Assurance

Jesus gives an assurance that kai. ivdou. evgw. meqV u`mw/n eivmi pa,saj ta.j h`me,raj e[wj th/j

suntelei,aj tou/ aivwn/ ojÅ, YLT translates this portion of Scripture as, “and lo, I am with you all

the days -- till the full end of the age.”25 Jesus is giving His assurance for him being with

them up to eternity. The noun form of the Greek word aivwn/ ojÅ or w/noj stands for “age;

world order; eternity.”26

The spirit of Jesus is not only with them at the present time while they are on earth;

but forever, until the very end that goes to eternity. He is going to be with them on earth and

in eternity. He gave them a great assurance that He won’t leave or forsake them forever.

This great assurance gives hope in suffering while they go to make new disciples of Jesus.

This great assurance gives them strength in their ministry to fulfill the Great Commission

24
Handriksen, New Testament Commentary, 1001.
25
Bible Works, Bible Works for Window 6.0 CD-ROM.
26
Ibid.
 12

mandate and calling in their life. As God assured Moses in the Old Testament (Exod. 3: 12 &

33:14), the same way Jesus gives assurance to be with them, to strength them while they go

to make disciples of all nations.

Application

This exegetical paper brings out the importance of doing evangelism and discipleship

in today’s churches. The Great Commission is not an option for today’s churches (believers).

Believers are supposed to make disciples of Jesus while they go. Churches need to understand

the ways to fulfill the Great Commission. It is not a must one has to go from country to

country; however, while they go on their way they have to witness about the saving power of

Jesus Christ to their surrounding neighbors. Churches need to understand seriously the

Command of the Great Commission as the gospel of Good News.

The churches that do not go to make disciples are not fulfilling the Command of Jesus

Christ. They need to start taking seriously the importance of in doing Evangelism and fol-

low-up as it is the only way to reach the unreached ones. The church has been given a com-

mand to go and to make disciples; however, this aspect of the Great Commission has not yet

been seriously considered by most churches in this time. But the mandate of the Great com-

mission is to make the whole nation the disciples of Jesus [Christian] so that God alone will

be worshiped among the nations. This will facilitate the all the nation to come under the

authority of the leadership of Christ.

The Great Commission is critically applies to any one who is a disciple of Jesus

Christ to make another disciples. It doesn’t exclude any believers; however, it is an exclusive

one. A church that doesn’t practice evangelism and discipleship will not fulfill the Great

Commission. They also hinder the reign of Christ’s kingdom in this world!
 13

Conclusion

The Great Commission is a very solemn matter which the Church needs to consider

seriously. It is not only to evangelize and to lead nations to salvation. However, believers

need to baptize and do follow-up on converts so that they may grow in knowledge of Jesus

Christ daily by observing His commandments, so that they can also go to make another disci-

ple of Jesus Christ. The Great Commission accommodates evangelism and discipleship. The

true meaning of Great Commission is related with presenting the Good News of the gospel of

Jesus Christ in its fullness so that nations may become true worshipers or disciples of Jesus

Christ. As the water covers the sea the Word of God will cover the whole earth!
 14

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Allen,Willoughby C. Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel According to S.

Matthew . Edinburgh: Morrison and Gibb Limited, 1977.

Barbieri, Louis A. the Bible knowledge Commentary, Ed, John F Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck
Colorado: Cook communications Ministries.

Bible Works. Bible Works for Window 6.0 CD-ROM. Norfolk, VA: Bible Works ,
LLC.2003.

Ellison, H. L. New International Bible Commentary. Edited by. F.F. Bruce. Grand Rapids :
Zondervan, 1979.

Gaebelen,Frank E. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids: Regency Reference

Library, 1984.

Gentry, Kenneth L. The Greatness of the Great Commission .Texas: Institute for Christian
Economics, 1993.

Hendrikson,William. New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1973.

Howard, David M. The Great Commission for Today. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press,
1976.

In the beginning was Word. MHC Commentary3.2.1 CD-ROM. Cosats: Stergious: the Word,
2003-2008.

Keener, Craig S. Bible Background Commentary. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1993.

KohenbergerII1 and John R and. Goodrick and Edward W and Swanson, James A. the Greek-
English Concordance to the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.

Robertson, Archibald Thomas. Word Picture in the New Testament. New York: Harper 5
Brother Publisher, 1930.

Unger Merrill F and White,William. An Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words. Nashville:

Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1960.