Last Study 2026--The Great Commission

If we are going to wrap the year up with something impactful, why not make it one of the last things Jesus said to His followers before leaving the earth.

We have been in the parables of Jesus for some time, but now we are in the text that culminates it all.

Tetelestai — meaning “it is finished”

This is one Greek word, three English words, but a vast meaning.

This is what Jesus proclaimed from the cross...He was letting the world know the sacrifice was complete...the earthly work was coming to a completion...but there would be at least 10 to fifteen days before the ending event of the ascension

You see Jesus had completed the work of fulfilling every prophecy, He had resurrected from the dead, and now He was meeting with HIs disciples at the end.

Today we pick up reading in The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16–20 ESV

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.”

The are no other recordings that are synonymous with this one in the N.T.

Thus when we look at this unique commission, we must first begin with the struggles of faith with which the disciples were dealing.

Checking Out the Story

You see in the beginning of this chapter, the ladies had went to the tomb to prepare the body of Jesus.

But Jesus of course was not there...He was/is Risen!

The ladies were given a task, go & tell.

Matthew 28:7 ESV

7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”

Go

Tell

He is Risen

He is going before you

You will see Him

I have told you

five specifics about what was going to take place...now is taking place.

Matthew 28:16 ESV

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.

They went

As Directed

but did not believe...at least some did not.

Matthew 28:17 ESV

17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.

Some worshipped, but the bigger question is how does one see the very presence of Jesus and not believe.

John 20:24–29 ESV

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Luke 24:10–11 ESV

10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

So there is a struggle for some.

Yes there was a bit of struggle, most specifically with the concept of recognition.

The Greek word use here edistasav can be just as easily translated to hesitate.

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition Chapter 28

ἐδίστασαν

This Greek word only occurs twice in the N.T. here and in 14:31.

Matthew 14:31 ESV

31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

It is the recognizable connection one might have with Peter walking on water to mee Jesus.

He had faith enough to ask, to get out of the boat, he walked on water, and he came to Jesus.

This is not doubt it is faith enough to start, but the situation cause a hesitation.

Now back to our text:

They were present, worshipping, but trying to reason with all that had taken place.

Therefore, look at verse 18:

Matthew 28:18 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

This passage should take us to the high priestly prayer of Jesus:

John 17:1–5 ESV

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

Now the prayer goes all the way to vs 26, but I want us to pay special attention to vs. 2 & 5

In both occasions we are talking position and power.

We are talking authority based on position

We are talking given and acknowledged authority.

Matthew 28:19 ESV

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,

What would it look like if this verse started with the word “Therefore.”

Therefore, going or Therefore, as you go

Make disciples of all nations

Baptizing them - in the Trinity

Matthew 28:20 ESV

20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Teaching Them

What? To observe or keep — all comanded