16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16–20 (ESV)
What are the major components of the Lord’s Great Commission to His disciples? What right does Jesus have to command His followers to obey this commission? What promise is included in this commission? These questions are to be considered and answered in the next several days.
To begin with, what right did Jesus have to give a commission in the first place? Jesus provided the answer when He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Authority (ἐξουσία; exousia) means the authority to rule. Jesus said He was in control, or in charge. This biblical truth is set forth in Psalm 2 and 110. See also Cf. Dan. 7:14; Matt. 16:28; 24:30; 26:64. This Great Claim forms the basis for the Great Commission.
Jesus then said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” On the surface, this phrase seems simplistic. However, a closer look reveals a deeper and more significant meaning.
The word “Go” (πορεύομαι; poreuomai) is a plural passive participle. It is not a command, but a statement of a present reality for Jesus’ disciples. It is an action the Lord is accomplishing upon the disciples. The word means in this context, “Since I have you going based upon my authority in heaven and earth.”
“Go” also implies that the disciples—and this holds for God’s children in general—must not concentrate all their thought on “coming” to church. They must also “go” to bring the precious tidings to others. Of course, they cannot “go” unless they have first of all “come,” and unless they keep coming as well as going. They cannot give unless they are willing to receive,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.
The word “therefore” (οὖν; oun) refers to a consequence or conclusion. In other words, it invokes a consequential effect from a preceding cause. In this context, the aforementioned cause is the authority of Jesus Christ. Since Jesus possesses all authority in heaven and on earth, this results in a corresponding conclusion or effect; the disciples going.
“This has already been explained in connection with “The Great Claim.” Briefly it means: Go, a. because your Lord has so ordered; b. because he has promised to impart all the needed strength; and c. because he is worthy of the homage, faith, and obedience of all men,” continues Dr. Hendriksen.
The phrase “make disciples” is the direct command. “Make disciples” (μαθητεύω; matheteuo) is an aorist active imperative verb. Jesus’ followers, then and now, are to actively and obediently be available for the Lord to cause people to be converted to the Gospel. In other words, Jesus’ disciples are to urge sinners to repent of their sins and place their God given faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ and be converted.
The scope of this command is not obscure. The Lord directed His disciples to make disciples of all nations. This means all peoples, tribes, languages and cultures. This command remains in force.
“It seems like such a simple command. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). But who exactly is supposed to go? Some have claimed that Jesus’ command to go and make disciples was only for the original Apostles and that the Great Commission was subsequently fulfilled by those Apostles. But such an enormous task would have been impossible for just eleven men to complete. And Jesus’ promise to be with them “to the end of the age” implies that the validity of this commission would extend beyond the Apostles’ lifetimes. If that’s so, the church has inherited this commission from the Apostles. And it is the church’s responsibility to obey the command of Christ until He comes again,” concludes Rev. Karl Dahlfred, adjunct professor of missions and church history at Bangkok Bible Seminary in Bangkok, Thailand, and assistant to the general manager for Overseas Missionary Fellowship Publishers in Thailand.
May each disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ be obedient and faithful to His command to go therefore and make disciples of all nations.
Soli deo Gloria!
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