The Full Verse
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Context
These verses, known as the Great Commission, are Jesus' final instructions to His disciples before His ascension into heaven. They appear at the very end of the Gospel of Matthew, forming the climax and conclusion of the entire book. Everything in Matthew's Gospel has been building to this moment: the King has come, lived, died, risen, and now sends His followers to carry His message to the entire world. The setting is a mountain in Galilee where Jesus had arranged to meet the eleven remaining disciples after His resurrection. Matthew notes that when they saw Him, they worshipped Him, though some doubted (verse 17). Jesus begins by declaring that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him (verse 18), establishing the basis for the commission that follows. The Great Commission is not merely a suggestion or an option for especially zealous believers. It is a command from the risen Christ that defines the mission of the church until He returns. Every generation of Christians since the first century has understood these words as their marching orders.
Meaning
The central command is not "go" (which is actually a participle in the Greek, meaning "as you go" or "having gone") but "teach" or "make disciples" (matheteusate). The Great Commission is fundamentally about making disciples, people who learn from, follow, and become like Jesus. Going to all nations, baptizing, and teaching are the means by which disciple-making happens. The scope is global: "all nations" (panta ta ethne) includes every people group on earth, not just Israel. This was a revolutionary expansion of the mission. The disciples, who were all Jewish, were being sent to Gentiles, barbarians, and people groups they had never heard of. The gospel is for every human being without exception. The commission includes two ongoing activities: baptizing (initiating new believers into the community of faith in the Trinitarian name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and teaching (the lifelong process of learning to obey everything Jesus commanded). The promise at the end, "I am with you alway," assures the disciples that they will not carry out this mission alone. The same Jesus who has all authority will be present with them through the Holy Spirit until the end of the age.
Original Language Insights
The Greek "matheteusate" (teach/make disciples) is the main imperative verb and the heart of the commission. It means to enroll as a student, to make a learner and follower. Discipleship is not merely intellectual education but a whole-life apprenticeship to Jesus. "Panta ta ethne" (all nations) literally means "all the ethnic groups" or "all the peoples." The word "ethne" is the root of "ethnic" and refers to distinct people groups, not modern political nations. The Trinitarian baptismal formula, "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost," is one of the clearest expressions of Trinitarian theology in the New Testament. "Pas tas hemeras" (alway/all the days) emphasizes the continuous, day-by-day nature of Christ's presence with His followers.
How to Apply This Verse
- Recognize that the Great Commission is not only for pastors and missionaries but for every follower of Jesus. Consider how you can participate in making disciples in your own context.
- Look for opportunities to share your faith with people from different backgrounds, remembering that the gospel is for 'all nations.'
- Invest in helping newer believers grow in their understanding and obedience to Jesus' teaching, not just in their initial conversion.
- Take comfort in the promise that Jesus is with you every day as you seek to live out His mission. You are never alone in this work.
Related Verses
Family Discussion & Activity
Discussion Questions
- ? What does it mean to 'make disciples'? How is that different from just telling someone about Jesus?
- ? The commission says 'all nations.' Why is it important that the gospel goes to every people group?
- ? Jesus promises to be with us always. How does that promise give you confidence to share your faith?
Family Activity
Memorize Matthew 28:19-20 together as a family this week. Write it on a card and put it somewhere everyone can see it. At the end of the week, see who can recite it from memory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Great Commission?
The Great Commission is Jesus' final command to His disciples, recorded in Matthew 28:19-20, to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey His commands. It is considered the foundational mission statement of the Christian church, defining the purpose and direction of believers from the first century to the present day.
Is the Great Commission for all Christians or just for missionaries?
The Great Commission is for all followers of Jesus. While some are called specifically to cross-cultural missionary work, every believer participates in the mission by sharing their faith, teaching others, supporting missions, and helping new believers grow. The commission defines the church's collective purpose, and every Christian has a role to play.
What does 'I am with you alway' mean?
Jesus promises His continuous, personal presence with His followers as they carry out His mission. This presence is made real through the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sent after His ascension (Acts 2). The promise means that believers are never alone in their obedience to the Great Commission. Christ Himself accompanies and empowers them every day until the end of the age.
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