Matthew 28:16-20 The Great Commission

Matthew 28 Verses 16 to 20 The Great Commission Your Call to Discipleship October 5, 2025 Disciple Making Series Class Presentation Notes AAAAA

Background Scriptures:

· Matt 28:18–20

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

· Luke 24:47–49

and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. “You are witnesses of these things. “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

· John 20:21–23

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. “If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”

· Acts 1:8

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” [1]

Main Idea:

· The Great Commission empowers us to step into our role as disciples and disciple-makers, trusting in Christ’s authority and presence as we go into the world.

Study Aim:

· The Great Commission is not just a directivefor the original disciples but a mandate for all believers today, emphasizing the importance of evangelism, baptism, and teaching as core components of a vibrant faith.

Create Interest:

· If a Christian understands all the rest of the gospel of Matthew but fails to understand this closing passage, he or she has missed the point of the entire book. This passage is the climax and major focal point not only of this gospel but of the entire New Testament. It is not an exaggeration to say that, in its broadest sense, it is the focal point of all Scripture, Old Testament as well as New.[2]

· This passage encourages Christians to embrace their role as disciples and disciple-makers, addressing the common struggle of feeling inadequate in sharing their faith and making an impact in their communities. By recognizing that Jesus is with them, they can confidently engage in outreach and spiritual teaching.

· Christ is the ultimate source of authority and presence for His followers. His resurrection empowers us to fulfill the Great Commission, and He embodies the role of both teacher and Savior, being the fulfillment of all that the law and prophets pointed to.

Lesson in Historical Context:

· The eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee to meet Jesus. They saw Jesus and worshiped him, though some still doubted. Jesus approached them and spoke to them, indicating that all authority had been given to him by His Father. He then commanded the disciples to go out into the nations and make disciples. They are told to baptize people in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit, and to teach the new disciples to observe all Jesus’ commands. The Gospel closed with Jesus’ promise that he is with them until the end of the age.[3]

Start with Submission

Matthew 28:16–17 (NASB95)

16     But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.

17     When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.

· Vs. 16: For “the eleven disciples” at this period between the Last Supper and the election of Matthias cf. Luke 24:9, 33; Acts 1:26. The Twelve, minus Judas, have apparently remained together despite their earlier “scattering” (26:31, 56). They have remained in Jerusalem long enough to receive the women’s message (vv. 7, 10) but then have set off back home to Galilee (as they would in any case have done after the festival).

· As a result of the women’s message this is not the dejected return of a defeated group but an expectant journey to fulfill a rendezvous. The phrase “where Jesus had told them [to go]” is sometimes taken to mean that he had prearranged a specific place, but 26:32; 28:7, 10have spoken only in general terms of “Galilee,” and the place is described now only by the broad term “to the mountain.” They are returning to the general scene of their earlier Galilean activity, perhaps to a favorite and familiar place, but probably more likely waiting for the risen Jesus to take the initiative and meet with them, as he had with the women, once they are in the area indicated.[4]

· Consider, if you will, that even amidst doubts, they came before Jesus, showing that faith does not equal perfection but a willingness to come and worship.

o This first point might suggest that discipleship begins with recognizing Jesus’s authority and overcoming personal doubts through worship.

· Vs. 17a: Matthew says the eleven disciples met Christ. The eleven were the prominent ones, but apparently there were over five hundred believers present, all seeing Him at once (1 Co. 15:6). The reference to “they” and “some doubted” (v.17) seems to indicate that this was the great appearance to the mass of believers mentioned by Paul. Christ had already appeared to the eleven on several occasions. They already knew the reality of His resurrection. It is possible that they were among the ones who were questioning at this time (Mk. 16:12–14; Lu. 24:13–48; Jn. 20:19–25; 20:26–31; 21:1–25).

· Vs. 17 b. The Lord had apparently instructed the apostles to pass the word along and to gather all His disciples to meet Him in a mass meeting in Galilee. Note that Galilee was where the Lord had conducted most of His ministry and where most of His disciples lived. It was also some distance from Jerusalem, a place somewhat safe from the immediate enemies of Christ.

Thought to Soak On:

· There are appointed places where we are to meet the Lord: in prayer, devotions, worship, and Bible study.

o When we seek the Lord as He says, He is always there with us.

o We must meet the Lord as He instructs if we are to know the reality of His resurrection.

o When we meet Christ as He instructs, all fear and doubt vanish. The person who truly seeks after Christ, who truly seeks to meet Him, will have his doubts erased. Christ will come and speak to him.[5]

· NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM GOD’S LOVE / Rom. 8:28–39

o Alongside the theme of glory in the Christian life is the theme of victory. We get to be on the winning side, though our contribution is almost insignificant. We are protected by a God whose love cannot be measured and from which, as Paul will eloquently explain, absolutely nothing can separate us.

o This section begins with some concluding remarks on how God responds to our prayers and the trials that motivate them. Paul briefly outlines God’s plan, emphasizing God’s effective work in our behalf. Following this, Paul asks, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (8:31). His answer includes a listing of problems and situations that might threaten us, but are unable to ever “separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (8:39). Even though we don’t know how to pray according to God’s will, the Spirit does.

§ That is why it all works for the good. God gives us what we truly need, not what we want.[6]

· Vs. 17c: This is significant. They worshipped Him, but some doubted. They just were not sure. Note what Jesus did: He “came and spoke to them” (v.18). Apparently, His coming and speaking to them erased their doubt and questioning.

· IN HIS BOOK If I Should Die Before I Live, Joe LoMusio writes, “If I were to ask you to describe Easter without using any words, and you could only use punctuation marks, which punctuation mark would you choose to describe this Easter for yourself?”

o He goes on to say how some might view Easter as a comma—“it makes you stop, pause, think and listen, but that’s all it does for you.

o Others might view Easter as “a big bold period.” That is, “You thought you’d feel excited” about it, but Easter felt empty again.

o LoMusio then describes Jesus’ first disciples and how they moved from a period (Jesus was dead and buried, ending all their expectations) to a question mark (with the news of the empty tomb) and finally to “one massive exclamation point!” (as they beheld him with their own eyes).

· Indeed the resurrection is one massive exclamation point.But it’s also four immense arrows. I know that arrows aren’t punctuation marks, but they are on my computer keyboard, so that counts for something.

o What I mean is that the resurrection is an arrow that points upward to Jesus’ universal power and downward to Jesus’ ecclesial presence.

o It is also an arrow that points inward—calling for worshipful allegiance to the resurrected Christ.

o But also, or in turn, it is an arrow that points outward—commissioning Jesus’ disciples to move out in order to bring others in.[7]

Secure Authority

Matthew 28:18 (NASB95)

18     And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

· Vs. 18:  Jesus is passing the torch to his disciples, even as he promises to be with them forever—spiritually, not physically—to empower them for future mission. Jesus can make the claim of v. 18 only if he is fully God, because the whole universe is embraced in the authority delegated to him.

o And yet he is still in some sense distinct from his Heavenly Father, so that Matthew can use the divine passive in speaking of his having “been given” this authority.

o Clear allusions to the heavenly Son of Man figure of Dan 7:13–14 appear here.

· Daniel 7:13–14 (NASB95) The Son of Man Presented

                         13 “I kept looking in the night visions,

And behold, with the clouds of heaven

One like a Son of Man was coming,

And He came up to the Ancient of Days

And was presented before Him.

                      14 “And to Him was given dominion,

Glory and a kingdom,

That all the peoples, nations and men of every language

          Might serve Him.

                              His dominion is an everlasting dominion

Which will not pass away;

And His kingdom is one

Which will not be destroyed.

· Christ’s exaltation, as the result of his resurrection, means that one day “every knee” will bow and “every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Phil 2:9–11), whether or not they do so voluntarily as part of his redeemed people.

·  Because of this authority, Jesus has the right to issue his followers their “marching orders,” but he also has the ability to help them carry out those orders.[8]

Thought to Soak On: 

· Jesus’ authority is the foundation for disciple-making. With His authority, Christians can confidently spread His teachings, knowing that they act not on personal power but under the command of the risen Lord.

Spread the Good News

Matthew 28:19 (NASB95)

19     “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

· Vs. 19:  “Go therefore”.

o Because all power is mine, go. I can defend you. The world is placed under my control. It is redeemed. It is given me in promise by my Father, as the purchase of my death. Though you are weak, I am strong. Though you will encounter many troubles and dangers, I can defend you. Though you die, yet I live, and the work shall be accomplished.

o “Teach all nations.” (make disciples)

The word rendered teach, here, is not the one that is usually so translated in the New Testament. This word properly means disciple, or make disciples of. This was to be done, however, by teaching, and by administering the rite of baptism.

o “All nations”.

This gracious commission was the foundation of their authority to go to the Gentiles. The Jews had expected that the offers of life under the Messiah would be confined to their own nation. Jesus broke down the partition wall, and commissioned his disciples to go everywhere, and bring the worldto the knowledge of himself.

o “Baptizing them”.

Applying to them water, as an emblem of the purifying influences of the Christian religion through the Holy Spirit and solemnly devoting them to God.

§ Baptism is an initiatory rite involving washing, dipping, or immersing something into water[1]. The practice originated with John the Baptist, who called followers to undergo a one-time full immersion as a sign of repentance, and was continued by Jesus and subsequently by the early church after Christ’s resurrection[2]. As an act of proclamation, baptism signifies a person’s union with Christ, symbolizing their death to their old self and resurrection to new life through Him[1]. The Book of Acts demonstrates baptism’s significance by showing how it was practiced across diverse groups, including Jews, Gentiles, and individual converts like the Ethiopian eunuch, Cornelius, and Paul himself[2]. While adult baptism by full immersion was the original practice, infant baptism became the norm by the fourth century and is now standard in Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and most Protestant Churches, though some denominations like Baptists continue to practice adult believer’s baptism.[3].

§ This outward sign of the inward change of accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior testifies to the world of the follower’s decision. In the Baptist Church baptism is done after a decision is made personally with knowledge of Jesus and his love and sacrifice for him/her.

[1] John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016). [2] George M. Smiga, “New Testament and the Liturgy,” in Liturgy and Life Study Bible, ed. Paul Turner and John W. Martens (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2023), xxx. [3] Michael Keene, Lion Access Guides: World Religions (Oxford: Lion Publishing plc, 2002), 108.

o “name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”.

To be baptized inthe name of the Father, &c., is the same as to be baptized unto the Father; as to believe on the name of Christ is the same as to believe on Christ, Jn. 1:12; 2:23; 3:18; 1 Co. 1:13. To be baptized untoanyone is publicly to receive and adopt him as a religious teacher or lawgiver; to receive his system of religion.

§ Thus, the Jews were baptized unto Moses, 1 Co. 10:2. That is, they received the system that he taught; they acknowledged him as their lawgiver and teacher.

§ So Paul asks (1 Co. 1:13), “Were you baptized in the name of Paul?”—that is, Were you devoted to Paul by this rite? Did you bind yourselves to him, and give yourselves away to him, or to God?

o So to be baptized in the name of the Father, or unto the Father, means

§ publicly, by a significant rite, to receive his system of religion;

§ to bind the soul to obey his laws;

§ to be devoted to him;

§ to receive, as the guide and comforter of the life, his instructions,

§ to trust to his promises.

o To be baptized unto the Son, in like manner, is to receive him as the Messiah—our Prophet, Priest, and King—

§ to submit to his laws, and to receive him as a Savior.

o To be baptized unto the Holy Ghost is to receive him publicly

§  As the Sanctifier,

§  Comforter,

§  Guide of the soul.

The meaning, then, may be thus expressed: Baptizing them unto the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost by a solemn profession of the only true religion, and by a solemn consecration to the service of the sacred Trinity.[9]

Thought to Soak On:

· The command to 'go and make disciples' invites all believers into mission work, regardless of location.

· Baptism is an outward sign of and inward change into the spiritual community.

· This point might encourage “believers” that disciple-making is an inclusive call to bring the good news to all nations.

Sustain with His Presence

Matthew 28:20 (NASB95)

20     teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

· Vs. 20: “Teaching” (v. 20)

Is the basis of spiritual instruction; the Lord’s words and commandments are not to be neglected. This is the same word as in v. 15;in other words, the soldiers did as they were “taught” by the priests, and the new disciples had to do what they were taught by the apostles.

· Teaching is the method by which truth is passed on; see John 17:20 . Several stages are indicated in 2 Tim 2:2, these stages being Paul, Timothy, faithful men, others also.

o When the Lord sent forth His disciples in Matt 10:5, His personal presence was not with them. Now this would be changed because of His ascension; He would be with them always, as the Lord said to Paul in Corinth, “I am with thee” (Acts 18:10). (as the Holy Spirit)

o In Mark 16:20, the promise is taken further: “the Lord working with them”. In other words, His presence and His working are the secret of success in Christian service. This presence was promised “unto the end of the world”, namely, “unto the completion of the age”.

o In other words, the Lord’s presence is promised not only for the apostolic and church period, but also for the last seven years before it is known in manifested glory during His coming reign of triumph and authority.[10]   Hebrews 13:5  “…nor will I ever leave or forsake you.”

Thought to Soak On:

· In verse 20,  Jesus promised His presence until the end of time. This presence in the person of the Holy Spirit supports and equips believers in their everyday struggles and attempts to teach His laws. They are never alone in their spiritual journey and mission work.

Examples to consider and share:

· In the late 1800s, a missionary named Adoniram Judson sailed to Burma, determined to share the Gospel. The journey was fraught with hardships, but he believed in Christ’s authority. Years passed, and Judson faced imprisonment, sickness, and sorrow. Yet, he remained faithful, trusting in the Great Commission. Ultimately, his perseverance led to the conversion of thousands. Like Judson, we must step into our roles with the same conviction, knowing that Christ is not only with us but also empowers us to face any circumstance for His glory.

· The story of the early church demonstrates the power of the Great Commission. After Christ ascended, the disciples were fearful and scattered. However, emboldened by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they embraced their call to make disciples. Peter preached, and 3,000 were added to their number that day. This transformation was fueled by the assurance that Christ was with them always. As we step into our communities today, we too must embrace this empowering presence to fulfill our commission to share the Gospel.

· Consider the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). The master entrusted his servants with resources to invest while he was away, mirroring how Jesus entrusts us with the commission. The servants who actively engaged with their gifts multiplied them, assured of their master’s eventual return. In the same way, as disciples, we are empowered to reach out with the Gospel. Our trust in Christ's authority motivates us to invest our lives for His Kingdom, ensuring that we are not burying our gifts in fear.

· When Thomas Edison was a child, he was expelled from school for being ‘difficult’. His mother, however, believed in him and took it upon herself to educate him at home. Her faith ignited a spark within him, leading to his eventual inventions that changed the world. Similarly, Christ's Great Commission empowers us to believe in the potential of those around us, transforming our communities through discipleship. We are to see not just the challenges, but the opportunities to foster growth in Christ’s authority.

[1]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Ac 1:8.

[2]John F. MacArthur Jr., Matthew, vol. 4, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1985–1989), 329.

[3]Douglas Mangum, ed., Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament, Lexham Context Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020), Mt 28:16–20.

[4]R. T. France, The Gospel of Matthew, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co., 2007), 1110.

[5]Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Matthew: Chapters 16:13–28:20, vol. II, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996), 298.

[6]Bruce B. Barton, David Veerman, and Neil S. Wilson, Romans, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1992), 165.

[7]Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Matthew: All Authority in Heaven and on Earth, ed. R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013), 905.

[8]Craig Blomberg, Matthew, vol. 22, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 431.

[9]Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament: Matthew & Mark, ed. Robert Frew (London: Blackie & Son, 1884–1885), 323.

[10]John Heading, “Matthew,” in Matthew and Mark, What the Bible Teaches (John Ritchie, 2000), 414.