Some Doubted - But Jesus

English Standard Version Chapter 28

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.”

Word Pictures in the New Testament Matthew 28:17

But some doubted (οἱ δε ἐδιστασαν [hoi de edistasan]). From δις [dis] (in two, divided in mind). Cf. Matt. 14:31. The reference is not to the eleven who were all now convinced after some doubt, but to the others present. Paul states that over five hundred were present, most of whom were still alive when he wrote (1 Cor. 15:6). It is natural that some should hesitate to believe so great a thing at the first appearance of Jesus to them. Their very doubt makes it easier for us to believe. This was the mountain where Jesus had promised to meet them. This fact explains the large number present. Time and place were arranged beforehand. It was the climax of the various appearances and in Galilee where were so many believers. They worshipped (προσεκυνησαν [prosekunēsan]) Jesus as the women had done (28:9). He is now their Risen Lord and Saviour.

Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary (28:16–20 Commission to the Community: Identity, Authority, and Presence)

28:16–20 Commission to the Community: Identity, Authority, and PresenceAs was true throughout Matthew’s Gospel, even at the end some doubted Jesus’ identity (Matt. 28:17). They doubted whether he was one whom they should worship. But to their doubts Jesus gave the proclamation of his authority and his presence (28:18–20). Matthew 28:19 could be translated, “As you are going, make disciples ….” The imperative was “make disciples.” The “going” was assumed. This ministry extended to “all the nations,” which was in keeping with the universal prospect of blessing in the Abrahamic covenant (cf. Gen. 12:2–3). The ministries to accompany making disciples included “baptizing” (identifying believers with a local assembly) and “teaching” (laying the foundation for application). Jesus would fulfill his name “Immanuel,” meaning “God with us,” by being present with his people through the work of the Holy Spirit “even to the end of the age” (28:20; cf. Acts 1:1–8; 2:1–4).

The Bible Exposition Commentary (Chapter Twenty-Six: The King’s Victory (Matthew 28))

They Shared the Good News with Others (Matt. 28:16–20)Some Bible scholars equate this “mountain meeting” in Galilee with the appearance of the Lord to “more than 500 brethren at one time” (1 Cor. 15:6). The fact that some of the people present doubted His resurrection would suggest that more than the eleven Apostles were present, for these men were now confirmed believers. Our Lord’s ascension did not take place at this time, but later, after He had ministered to His disciples in Jerusalem (Luke 24:44–53).Matthew 28:18–20 is usually called “the Great Commission,” though this statement is no greater than that in any of the other Gospels, nor is it the last statement Jesus made before He returned to heaven. However, this declaration does apply to us as believers, so we should understand the factors that are involved.An authority (v. 18). In this verse, the word power means “authority,” the right to use power. The entire Gospel of Matthew stresses the authority of Jesus Christ. There was authority to His teaching (Matt. 7:29). He exercised authority in healing (Matt. 8:1–13), and even in forgiving sins (Matt. 9:6). He had authority over Satan, and He delegated that authority to His Apostles (Matt. 10:1). At the close of his Gospel, Matthew made it clear that Jesus has ALL authority.Since Jesus Christ today has all authority, we may obey Him without fear. No matter where He leads us, no matter what circumstances we face, He is in control. By His death and resurrection, Jesus defeated all enemies and won for Himself all authority.Christianity is a missionary faith. The very nature of God demands this, for God is love and God is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). Our Lord’s death on the cross was for the whole world. If we are the children of God and share His nature, then we will want to tell the good news to the lost world.When we read the Book of Acts, we see that the early church operated on the basis of the Lord’s sovereign authority. They ministered in His name. They depended on His power and guidance. They did not face a lost world on the basis of their own authority, but on the authority of Jesus Christ.An activity (vv. 19–20a). The Greek verb translated go is actually not a command but a present participle (going). The only command in the entire Great Commission is “make disciples” (“teach all nations”). Jesus said, “While you are going, make disciples of all the nations.” No matter where we are, we should be witnesses for Jesus Christ and seek to win others to Him (Acts 11:19–21).The term “disciples” was the most popular name for the early believers. Being a disciple meant more than being a convert or a church member. Apprentice might be an equivalent term. A disciple attached himself to a teacher, identified with him, learned from him, and lived with him. He learned, not simply by listening, but also by doing. Our Lord called twelve disciples and taught them so that they might be able to teach others (Mark 3:13ff).A disciple, then, is one who has believed on Jesus Christ and expressed this faith by being baptized. He remains in the fellowship of the believers that he might be taught the truths of the faith (Acts 2:41–47). He is then able to go out and win others and teach them. This was the pattern of the New Testament church (2 Tim. 2:1–2).In many respects, we have departed from this pattern. In most churches, the congregation pays the pastor to preach, win the lost, and build up the saved—while the church members function as cheerleaders (if they are enthusiastic) or spectators. The “converts” are won, baptized, and given the right hand of fellowship, then they join the other spectators. How much faster our churches would grow, and how much stronger and happier our church members would be, if each one were discipling another believer. The only way a local church can “be fruitful and multiply” (instead of growing by “additions”) is with a systematic discipleship program. This is the responsibility of every believer, and not just a small group who have been “called to go.”Jesus had opened the minds of His disciples to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:44–45). They knew what He wanted them to teach to their own converts. It is not enough to win people to the Saviour; we must also teach them the Word of God. This is also a part of the Great Commission.An ability (v. 20b). Jesus is not only “in the midst” when His people gather together (Matt. 18:20), but He is also present with them as they scatter into the world to witness. Had He remained on earth, Jesus could not have fulfilled this promise. It was when the Spirit came that Jesus could be with His people no matter where they were.Dr. G. Campbell Morgan told about an experience in his life that involved this statement. Early in his Christian life, Morgan used to visit several ladies once a week to read the Bible to them. When he came to the end of Matthew’s Gospel, Morgan read, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of this age.” He added, “Isn’t that a wonderful promise?” One of the ladies quickly replied, “Young man, that is not a promise—it is a fact!”There are no conditions for us to meet, or even to believe; for Jesus Christ is with us. Paul discovered this to be true when he was seeking to establish a church in the difficult city of Corinth. Obeying this commission, Paul came to the city (Acts 18:1), won people to Christ and baptized them (Acts 18:8) and taught them the word (Acts 18:11). When the going was tough, Paul had a special visit from the Lord: “Be not afraid … for I am with thee” (Acts 18:9–10).The phrase “the end of the age” indicates that our Lord has a plan; He is the Lord of history. As the churches follow His leading and obey His Word, they fulfill His purposes in the world. It will all come to a climax one day; meanwhile, we must all be faithful.

Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament (The Great Commission (28:16–20))

The Great Commission (28:16–20)The eleven disciples proceed to Galilee to meet Jesus. They see Jesus and worship him, though some still doubt. Jesus approaches them and speaks to them, indicating that all authority has been given to him. He then commands the disciples to 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 Jesus’ commands. The Gospel closes with Jesus’ promise that he is with them until the end of the age.28:16 The receiving of the two Marys message has not been related, but is assumed here. The remaining eleven disciples go to Galilee as per the instructions from the angel and from Jesus through the women. They arrive at the mountain that Jesus designated. It is possible that “the mountain” was a favorite mountain of Jesus (5:1; 14:23; 15:29), but this is possibly an unstated feature of Jesus’ instructions to the women (28:9).28:17 The disciples are on the designated mountain and now see Jesus, bringing a divided reaction. They worship him (2:2, 11; 8:2; 14:33; 28:9), but some doubt. The verb used to describe the doubt was used in 14:31 to describe Peter’s little faith when sinking into the sea. This doubt, then, seems to indicate hesitancy rather than unbelief. Jesus has already tried to assuage their hesitancy by calling them “my brothers” when talking to the women (28:9). The final words of Jesus will further assure them that they are still his family.28:18 The words of Jesus are prefaced by three verbs. Jesus’ initial approach is likely to reassure those who are hesitating in doubt. Jesus’ first words to his disciples use once again the familiar words from Dan 7:13–14. As the victorious Son of Man, he has come to God and sat on his throne, with all authority over the nations given to him. This is the authority he has spoken of throughout the Gospel (13:41; 16:28; 19:28; 20:21; 24:30–31; 25:31–34; 26:64). Jesus was obedient to his Father and has received authority over all of earth (4:8–10) and heaven (11:27). This authority is shared with the heavenly Father and is the culmination of the Gospel’s kingship theme that began in the very first verse (1:1).28:19 It is on the basis of the authority that has been given to him by the heavenly Father that Jesus can commission his disciples. The universal scope of their mission has already been indicated (24:9, 14; 25:32). The disciples here go forth in order to fulfill what the very first disciples are told to do—fish for people (4:19). While the disciples fulfill this earthly mission, Jesus has also indicated that this mission is concurrent with the heavenly reality of the mission (24:31). The final commission also expands the previous commission to Israel (10:6), revoking the previous restriction on the disciples to go only to Israel (10:5). The command of Jesus is to make disciples, with the means of disciple making listed as baptism and teaching (28:20). The instruction for baptism includes the triune formula of Father, Son, and Spirit. This same triune entity was present at Jesus’ own baptism (3:13–17).28:20 The final verse of the Gospel continues the commissioning command, providing the second means by which the disciples will make more disciples. The Eleven are to teach new disciples to obey everything Jesus has commanded them. The five internal divisions have all culminated in an extended time of Jesus’ teaching. Jesus has very much been characterized as a teacher in the Gospel. The concluding words now turn the work of teaching over to the disciples. His final statement is highlighted by the attention-getter “behold.” Jesus assures the disciples, and the redeemed community as a whole, that he is present with them until the end of the age, a promise also made earlier to the redeemed community (18:20). His spiritual presence among the redeemed community will be complete when the age closes with his second coming.