Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
BY
SEBLEWONGEL M. WOLDE
NAIROBI, KENYA
Introduction
The book of Matthew is one of the four gospels that presented the life of Jesus Christ
in the New Testament. It is the historical fact of the incarnation of the Son of man, the suf-
fering, the death and the resurrection of His life, including His earthly ministry before He
went back to the Father. It is one of the messages of the Good News. The book narrates the
life and the work of Christ on earth. However, it also gives some enlightenment on how to be
saved (Matt. 5:16). The book also presents in a very classical way the commissioning of the
disciples to all nations after the death and the resurrection of Jesus.1
The book of Matthew is known for introducing the Great Commission (Matt. 28:16-
20) to its readers. The original Greek text reads: Oi` de. e[ndeka maqhtai. u`ph/gon eivj th.n
Galilai,an( eivj to. o;roj o[pou parh,ggeilen eivj auvtou.j o` VIhsou/jÅ Kai. ivdo,ntej auvto.n
proseku,nhsan auvto,n( tine.j de. evdi,stasanÅ Kai. proselqw.n o` VIhsou/j( evla,lhse pro.j auvtou,j(
le,gwn\ VEdo,qh eivj evme. pa/sa evxousi,a evn ouvranw/| kai. evpi. gh/jÅ Poreuqe,ntej loipo.n
maqhteu,sate pa,nta ta. e;qnh( bapti,zontej auvtou.j eivj to. o;noma tou/ Patro.j kai. tou/ Ui`ou/ kai.
tou/ ~Agi,ou Pneu,matoj( dida,skontej auvtou.j na. fula,ttwsi pa,nta o[sa parh,ggeila eivj evsa/j\
kai. ivdou,( evgw. ei=mai meq, u`mw/n pa,saj ta.j h`me,raj e[wj th/j suntelei,aj tou/ aivwn/ ojÅ VAmh,nÅ2
1
William Hendrickson, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book
House, 1973), 3.
2
Bible Works. Bible Works for Windows 6.0 CD-ROM (Norfolk, VA: Bible Works,
LLC.2003).
1
2
The importance of the Great Commission has not ceased with early apostles; it has
great significances in today’s church too. The purpose of this paper is to exegete the true
meaning of the Great Commission in the early apostolic Church and its application in today’s
Church.
Background
The author of the book of Matthew presents his writings in a very classical method of
style and narrates the story of Jesus in a messianic way. While Matthew, Mark, Luke have
distinct purpose, they all view the life of Jesus Christ. It is possible to classify the book of
Matthew as one of the historical biography of Jesus Christ the Messiah.3 The core purpose of
the message of the synoptic gospels and the gospel of John is to present the “Good News” to
The book of Matthew is a very organized classic book with its literary style. The lit-
erature style is more messianic than the rest of the gospels; the book narrates the commission-
ing of Jesus Christ the Messiah from consumption to the death. It also gives highlight the
resurrection and returning back of Jesus to the Father where He came from after accomplish-
ing His mission. In the very beginning, the book narrates how this messiah is going to be
born: “and she will bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save his
Jesus came to fulfil all righteousness as commissioned from the Father: “Permit it to
be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness” (Matt. 1:15). After fulfilling
what He had been commissioned to fulfil (dying for the sin of the whole world according to
3
Craig S. Keener, Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove:
InterVarsity Press), 39.
4
Louis A. Barbieri, The Bible knowledge Commentary, Ed. John F Walvoord and Roy
B. Zuck (Colorado: Cook communications Ministries, 2000), 13.
3
Matthew 1:21 and John 1:29), the same way He was commissioned to this world also He
commissioned His disciples to the whole world, to all mankind. Jesus said, “Peace to you! As
the father has sent me, I also send you” (John 20:21). The word send in original Greek is
pe,mpw, and it has the same meaning with commission, and appoint.5 The original Greek text
reads “world” as ko,smou meaning “world, world order, universe; world inhabitants, mankind
(especially of men hostile to God); world, realm of existence, way of life (especially as op-
posed to the purpose of God),”6 The resurrected Jesus who had finished the redemption plan
of God now commissioned His disciples in the same way as His Father commissioned Him.7
His task was to save humanity from the hands of the enemy by His own blood; however, the
task of the disciples was to preach this forgiveness of sin to nations and reconcile all mankind
to God through the Good News. In both ways it is the work of reconciliation.
The writer of Matthew presents the commissioning of the disciples by Jesus Christ
(Matt.28:16-21). However, the gospel of John illustrates the commissioning of the eleven
Jesus not long before He ascended to His father commissioned His disciples. Howev-
er, the commissioning process seems very unique and related with the commissioning of
Moses in the Mount Sinai (Exod. 3). The eleven disciples have to go to the mountain of the
Galilee where Jesus has promised to meet them. The mountain Galilai,an (Galilee) has his-
torical significance in the commissioning of the disciples into the whole world.
5
Bible work, Bible Works for Window 6.0 CD-ROM.
6
Ibid.
7
Kenneth L. Gentry, The Greatness of the Great Commission (Texas: Institute for
Christian Economics, 1993), 31.
4
God has revealed Himself historically on the top of mountains. The commissioning
of Moses was on the top the mountain of God (Horeb, Sinai). He was commissioned to go to
Egypt to deliver the Israelites from the hands of the Egyptians so that they can sacrifice for
Yahweh alone and worship Him. Literally speaking, Moses was given the Great Commission
Command on the top of the mountain to make the people of Israel the worshipers of God or
the disciples of Yahweh.8 The word “disciple” in the original Greek text is maqhth,j, “ one
who follows one’s teaching” as a “disciple.” 9 A disciple is a follower who transforms into
the exact likeness of their master through total obedient and submission.
The purpose of Moses was to prepare the Israelites to worship God (for them to be-
come followers or disciples of God (Exod. 4:22); however, the Israelites called themselves
The eleven maqhtai. (disciples) (noun nominative masculine plural common) went to
Mount Galilee as Jesus had told them and while there, some worshiped Him but others
doubted (v.17). The Greek word e[ndeka defines only the eleven disciples of Jesus, the fact
that one of disciples of Jesus, Judas, committed suicide (Matt. 26:32 & 28:10). Worship in
the original Greek text is proskune,w “worship; fall down and worship, kneel, bow low, fall at
another's feet,” as Moses worshiped the angel of the LORD from the burning bush (Exod. 3).
The Greek root for doubt is dista,zw “to be doubt and hesitate,”10 from the beginning the
disciples had difficulty in believing Jesus had actually risen from the dead (Luke 24:10,11
8
Craig S. Keener, Bible Background Commentary (Downers Grove: Intervarsity
Press, 1993), 130.
9
Merrill F. Unger and William White, An Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words
(Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1960), 171.
10
Bible Works, Bible Works for Window 6.0 CD-ROM.
5
John 20:24-25). Therefore, Jesus spoke to them (the eleven disciples) so that they may be-
Jesus said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt.
28:18). The original Greek text reads this portion as, “le,gwn\ evdo,qh moi pa/sa evxousi,a evn
ouvranw/| kai. evpi. Îth/jÐ gh/j.” implying “His authority is world-wide and absolute so their
commission was also world-wide”.11 The word evxousi,a means authority, right, liberty; abil-
ity, capability; supernatural power; ruling power, government, official; jurisdiction (Luke
23.7). It literally means there is no greater power than Christ’s authority in the entire uni-
verse. The word ouvranw/| (heaven) is used to mean “sky, air, heavenly celestial, heavenly,
celestial, heavenly realms.”12 The Greek word used as an adjective pa/sa [pa/j] defines the
type of authority that He has been given. His authority is over all earth and heavenly realms.
Paul in 1 Corinthians15:27 say that “for He has put all things under His feet.’’ But when he
says “all things are put under him” it is evident that He who put all things under him is ex-
empted. God has put everything under His power; there is nothing greater than him from
heavenly and from earthly dominion. The word gh/j “earth” includes the earth; land, country,
region; soil, ground; mankind.”13 There is no other greater person or god who is born [came]
11
H. L. Ellison, New International Bible Commentary, ed. F.F. Bruce (Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 1979), 1154.
12
John R. KohenbergerII1, Edward W. Goodrick and James A. Swanson, the Greek-
English Concordance to the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997), 1062-1095.
13
KohenbergerII1 and Goodrick and Swanson, The Greek-English Concordance to
the New Testament, 1202.
6
into this word like Him. “The son becomes the one through whom all God’s authority is
mediated.”14
Jesus’ authority is now greater than before His death. He holds the key of David to
unseal what has been sealed by the enemies and to open and shut. No authority can stand
him above heaven and earth. Revelation 3:7 says, “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia
write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he
opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” Jesus is now assuring His disci-
ples of the authority now given to Him fully to exercise without any resistance from the devil.
The death penalty has been paid once for all. The Greek verbal indicative word evdo,qh moi
“given to me” gives clarity that the power now belongs to Him after the resurrection. God
has given Him that authority as a reward of faithful and obedient servant, who fulfilled the
redemption plan of God. His great claim to the disciples was to give them power and faith to
believe in Him so that they do not fear to go to the nations. He was preparing their hearts for
Jesus after building confidence in His disciples, He gives the Great Commission to
them. The writer of Matthew presented the command of Jesus by using the word ou=n “there-
overall authority given to Jesus. It is directly connected with the great claim of Jesus authori-
ty (v. 18). Since He has all authority over all mankind and universe, the disciples MUST go
to all nations with all confidences to make disciples. Jesus elaborates the Great Commission
14
Frank E. Gaebelen, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Regency
Reference Library,1984), 595
15
Hendrikson, New Testament Commentary, 998.
7
by using the word “therefore” and declares the purpose of Great Commission16: “poreuqe,ntej
ou=n maqhteu,sate pa,nta ta. e;qnh( bapti,zontej auvtou.j eivj to. o;noma tou/ patro.j kai. tou/ ui`ou/
kai. tou/ a`gi,ou pneu,matoj(” translated in NIV: “Therefore go and make disciples of all na-
tions, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”(Matt.
28:19).
Jesus starts commissioning His disciples by telling them to go poreuqe,ntej (an imper-
ative command) to do His work and to fulfill His command. As Moses had to go to Egypt to
accomplish His calling, also Jesus had to come to this world to accomplish His calling. For
the disciples, to fulfill the Great Commission they have to go to all nations. The word go is
not the question of where and where not to go, it is a command that cannot be ignored but as
they go, they are supposed to make disciples from every tribe and language.17 The Greek
verbal word poreuqe,ntej “go” is in a plural state that shows that all the eleven disciples of
Jesus had to go make disciples. It was an exclusive command; it did not exclude any body. It
The command of Jesus for His disciple was maqhteu,sate pa,nta ta. e;qnh (make disci-
ples of all nations,). “Make disciples” is an imperative (a command, verb imperative aorist
active 2nd person plural). The disciples have to make other disciples from all nations. Nation
stands for “nation, people; ta. e;Å non-Jews, Gentiles; pagans, heathen, unbelievers.” However,
the word pa,nta gives emphasis to the point of all the nations that includes Israel (Jewish
people). There are two views concerning e;qnh, “the nation”. First, the view that includes
Israel as part of the nations, and second, one that strictly excludes Israel out of the nations by
arguing that the word e;qnh addresses only gentiles. But according to Jesus command He did
16
Gaebelein, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, 594.
17
David M. Howard. The Great Commission for Today (Downers Grove: Intervarsity
Press, 1976), 66.
8
not specifically exclude Israel from His mandate; He included her with every nation; lan-
guage and tribe. Therefore the command of making disciples includes Israel as part of the
nations.18
It was (is) the missionary agenda of Christ sending His disciples to all languages (na-
tion) to make disciples. John 3:16 clearly points out Jesus dying for the whole world: "For
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall
not perish but have eternal life (NIV). God did not send His only son for some nations; how-
ever, He sent him for all mankind to save all who believe in Him (v17). Israel was part of the
Great Commission where the disciples needed to go and make other disciples of Jesus. All
nations are the designation of all tribes and languages. It includes “Not just the Jews scat-
tered among the Gentiles, but the Gentiles themselves in every land.”19 God’s agenda is to
make the whole world a follower of Jesus (Believers). Making disciples was the core aspect
The disciples were commanded by Jesus to make disciples (follower learner) such as
like them. This accommodated evangelism as the heart of the Great Commission. Making
disciples is more than having any meetings in a Church service. It requires total dedication
from the master, to teach and follow them as much possible in regular basis. 20 The aim of the
Great Commission is to facilitate the whole world (nations) to be saved in Christ Jesus so that
entire nations can come under one umbrella of Christ leadership. This has an eschatological
message within its context. It facilitates the future universal reign of Christ on this earth.
18
Howard. The Great Commission for Today, 66.
19
Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (New York:
Harper & Brother Publisher, 1930), 245.
20
Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Picture in the New Testament (New York:
Harper 5 Brother publisher, 1930), 245
9
Baptizing Them
command; it cannot be ignored by the disciples. They have to go, teach and baptize them in
the name of the father, Son and Holy Spirit. In order one to be baptized one should believe
and confess Christ. It is an action of confession of faith. Rome 10:9 says, “if you confess
with the mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the
dead, you will be saved.” To believe in Him, one need to be taught the truth about the saving
power of Jesus Christ from sin so that the person may receive Him as Savior (Acts 2:41).
Christian baptism requires previously doing evangelism and leading the person into
salvation (believing in the name of the Lord). The preaching or the teaching of Philip to the
Ethiopian eunuch was one of the aspects that give emphasis on the importance doing teaching
before baptism. A person needs to understand the gospel of salvation and confess with his
mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord to qualify for baptism. It is directly related to doing evange-
lism.
Baptism without teaching should not happen. The command of the Great Commission
requires first and foremost, teaching and then the act of declaration of the faith will follow it.
Baptism and teaching are ways and characteristics of making disciples. The word teaching is
also comes within the context of making disciples at the beginning of doing evangelism in
order to disciple one. The Greek word dida,skontej (verb participle present active nomina-
tive masculine plural) itself does not bring out the word “teach” in verse 19; however, it is
Accordingly, when through the preaching of the Word a person has been brought form
darkness into light, and confesses the Triune God, Father, son, and Holy Spirit, to be
the Object of his faith, hope, and love, then the sacrament of baptism is the sign and
the seal that God the father adopts him as his son and heir; that God the son washes
his sins away by his precious blood; and God the holy spirit dwells in him, and will
10
sanctify him; actually imparting to him that which objectively he already has, Christ,
and at last bringing him from the church Militant into the church Triumphant.21
Jesus declares the type of baptism they need to baptize new disciples by being specif-
ic: “bapti,zontej auvtou.j eivj to. o;noma tou/ patro.j kai. tou/ ui`ou/ kai. tou/ a`gi,ou pneu,matoj(”
“baptizing in the name of the Father , and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” therefore, “ caus-
ing them to submit to a rite which results in their becoming disciples of, and confers upon
them fellowship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”22 In the name of ou/ ui`ou/ “the Son” im-
plies to the name Christ itself and none other. The article attached ou/ defines it more. The
Son is the one who shares the exact likeness of the patro.j “Father”. Allen says, “In the name
of Christ on the other hand lays stress on the result of the ceremony. The person baptized
became “into the name of Christ” i.e became His disciple, i.e. entered into a state of alle-
In verse 20, Jesus instructs His disciples to teach the new converts showing that teach-
ing will continue after baptism too. The disciple not only does evangelism and baptism but
also teaches all the commandments that they have been taught to observe. The Greek text
reads, “dida,skontej auvtou.j threi/n pa,nta o[sa evneteila,mhn u`mi/n..” The NIVEnglish transla-
tion interoperates as “and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” This
teaching may help the person to grow spiritually and facilitate sanctification. The early
21
Hendrickson, New Testament Commentary,1001.
22
Willoughby C. Allen, Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel Accord-
ing to Matthew (Edinburgh:Morrison and Gibb Limited, 1977), 306.
23
Ibid.
11
The disciples need to teach them to observe all things they have been taught by Christ.
They must pass onto the new disciples, without adding or subtracting from His teaching so
that false teaching and cult movements do not arise from within them.
Jesus gives an assurance that kai. ivdou. evgw. meqV u`mw/n eivmi pa,saj ta.j h`me,raj e[wj th/j
suntelei,aj tou/ aivwn/ ojÅ, YLT translates this portion of Scripture as, “and lo, I am with you all
the days -- till the full end of the age.”25 Jesus is giving His assurance for him being with
them up to eternity. The noun form of the Greek word aivwn/ ojÅ or w/noj stands for “age;
The spirit of Jesus is not only with them at the present time while they are on earth;
but forever, until the very end that goes to eternity. He is going to be with them on earth and
in eternity. He gave them a great assurance that He won’t leave or forsake them forever.
This great assurance gives hope in suffering while they go to make new disciples of Jesus.
This great assurance gives them strength in their ministry to fulfill the Great Commission
24
Handriksen, New Testament Commentary, 1001.
25
Bible Works, Bible Works for Window 6.0 CD-ROM.
26
Ibid.
12
mandate and calling in their life. As God assured Moses in the Old Testament (Exod. 3: 12 &
33:14), the same way Jesus gives assurance to be with them, to strength them while they go
Application
This exegetical paper brings out the importance of doing evangelism and discipleship
in today’s churches. The Great Commission is not an option for today’s churches (believers).
Believers are supposed to make disciples of Jesus while they go. Churches need to understand
the ways to fulfill the Great Commission. It is not a must one has to go from country to
country; however, while they go on their way they have to witness about the saving power of
Jesus Christ to their surrounding neighbors. Churches need to understand seriously the
The churches that do not go to make disciples are not fulfilling the Command of Jesus
Christ. They need to start taking seriously the importance of in doing Evangelism and fol-
low-up as it is the only way to reach the unreached ones. The church has been given a com-
mand to go and to make disciples; however, this aspect of the Great Commission has not yet
been seriously considered by most churches in this time. But the mandate of the Great com-
mission is to make the whole nation the disciples of Jesus [Christian] so that God alone will
be worshiped among the nations. This will facilitate the all the nation to come under the
The Great Commission is critically applies to any one who is a disciple of Jesus
Christ to make another disciples. It doesn’t exclude any believers; however, it is an exclusive
one. A church that doesn’t practice evangelism and discipleship will not fulfill the Great
Commission. They also hinder the reign of Christ’s kingdom in this world!
13
Conclusion
The Great Commission is a very solemn matter which the Church needs to consider
seriously. It is not only to evangelize and to lead nations to salvation. However, believers
need to baptize and do follow-up on converts so that they may grow in knowledge of Jesus
Christ daily by observing His commandments, so that they can also go to make another disci-
ple of Jesus Christ. The Great Commission accommodates evangelism and discipleship. The
true meaning of Great Commission is related with presenting the Good News of the gospel of
Jesus Christ in its fullness so that nations may become true worshipers or disciples of Jesus
Christ. As the water covers the sea the Word of God will cover the whole earth!
14
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Barbieri, Louis A. the Bible knowledge Commentary, Ed, John F Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck
Colorado: Cook communications Ministries.
Bible Works. Bible Works for Window 6.0 CD-ROM. Norfolk, VA: Bible Works ,
LLC.2003.
Ellison, H. L. New International Bible Commentary. Edited by. F.F. Bruce. Grand Rapids :
Zondervan, 1979.
Gentry, Kenneth L. The Greatness of the Great Commission .Texas: Institute for Christian
Economics, 1993.
Hendrikson,William. New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1973.
Howard, David M. The Great Commission for Today. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press,
1976.
In the beginning was Word. MHC Commentary3.2.1 CD-ROM. Cosats: Stergious: the Word,
2003-2008.
Keener, Craig S. Bible Background Commentary. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1993.
KohenbergerII1 and John R and. Goodrick and Edward W and Swanson, James A. the Greek-
English Concordance to the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
Robertson, Archibald Thomas. Word Picture in the New Testament. New York: Harper 5
Brother Publisher, 1930.