Victory in Jesus Part 5-- Encounters and Commission
Introduction
The Road to Emmaus
The Upper Room
Breakfast by the Sea of Galilee
The Great Commission
Mathēteuō (make disciples) is the main verb and the central command of verses 19–20, which form the closing sentence of Matthew’s gospel. The root meaning of the term refers to believing and learning. Jesus was not referring simply to believers or simply to learners, or He would have used other words. Mathēteuō carries a beautiful combination of meanings. In this context it relates to those who place their trust in Jesus Christ and follow Him in lives of continual learning and obedience. “If you abide in My word,” Jesus said, “then you are truly disciples of Mine” (John 8:31). It should be noted that some disciples were not true (see John 6:66).
The specific requirements Jesus gives for making disciples involve three participles: going (rendered here as go), baptizing, and teaching.