Jul
12
Written by:
Daniel Cartwright
7/12/2007 9:15 PM
The The The official commissioning (28:16-20)
28:16-20. Matthew did not record the meeting of Jesus with the 10 disciples later that same day (John 20:19-23) or the appearance 8 days later to the 11 disciples (John 20:24-29). But he did record an appearance occurring some time later in Galilee, where He promised He would meet them at a mountain. Which mountain He specified is unknown. When Jesus appeared they worshiped Him, but some doubted. Since Jesus had appeared to them earlier and verified Himself to them, they were not doubting the Resurrection. There was probably simply a brief question among some of them as to whether this was truly Jesus appearing to them. There was no indication that any miraculous element was involved in His being there and since unusual circumstances had occurred with previous visits, perhaps they wondered.
Their doubts were quickly dispelled, for Jesus spoke to them claiming all authority in heaven and on earth. This authority (exousia, “official right or power”) had been given to Jesus by the Father and now He was instructing the disciples to go on the basis of that authority. Their field was to include all nations, not just Israel (see comments on 10:5-6). They were to make disciples by proclaiming the truth concerning Jesus. Their hearers were to be evangelized and enlisted as Jesus’ followers. Those who believed were to be baptized in water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Such an act would associate a believer with the person of Jesus Christ and with the Triune God. The God whom they served is one God and yet is three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Those who respond are also to be taught the truths Jesus had specifically communicated to the Eleven. Not all that Jesus taught the disciples was communicated by them but they did teach specific truths for the new Church Age as they went abroad. Jesus’ commission, applicable to all His followers, involved one command, “Make disciples,” which is accompanied by three participles in the Greek: “going,” baptizing, and teaching.
The final words of the Lord recorded by Matthew were a promise that He would be with them always until the very end of the Age. Though the Lord did not remain physically with the Eleven, His spiritual presence was with them until their tasks on earth were finished. These final words of the Lord were carried out by the apostles as they went everywhere, proclaiming the story of their Messiah, Jesus Christ, the King of the Jews.
Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:93
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2 comments so far...
Re: The Great Commission
Thoughts from the perspective of a military mind. If “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to" Jesus, then I have none! But if "all authority" lives within me, why would I want any authority?
By bobflynn on
7/14/2007 7:03 PM
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Re: The Great Commission
Good question. I would say Divine authority trumps human authority any day!
By Born4Battle on
7/25/2007 6:13 PM
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