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Matthew 28:16-20 (The Great Commission)

INTRODUCTION: Our message series is called Lead Me to the Cross, but now that we are in Matthew 28, we are on the other side of the cross, indeed on the other side of the resurrection. What does that mean for us as Christians? What does that mean for us as a church? We find those answers in our passage today. This is the final passage in the gospel of Matthew. These verses are commonly known as the Great Commission, as Jesus gives the church our marching orders until he comes again. (Read Matthew 28:16-20 and pray.)

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Today marks the final message in our series through the gospel of Matthew. Nine years ago we began our journey with the genealogy of Jesus in chapter one and 110 messages later, we now come to the Great Commission in the final chapter. Today is also my birthday, and I can’t think of a better birthday gift than the privilege of finishing up the gospel of Matthew with you today.

We have seen that there is a shape to Matthew’s gospel. When you look at the structure, you find a mirror effect between the opening chapters of the gospel and the closing chapters.

1-2 > Jesus’ birth
  3-4 > Jesus in Galilee
    5-7 > Sermon on the Mount
      8-12 > Miracles and Conflict
        13 > Parables of the Kingdom
      14-17 > Miracles and Controversy
    18-20 > Jesus, the Master Teacher
  21-25 > Jesus in Jerusalem
26-28 > Jesus’ death and resurrection

The first two chapters deal with Jesus’ birth, while the final chapters deal with Jesus’ death and resurrection. Taking one step forward from the beginning of the gospel and one step back from the end, chapters 3-4 deal with Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, while chapters 21-25 deal with Jesus’ ministry in Jerusalem. Then in chapters 5-7 we have the Sermon on the Mount which corresponds with Jesus the master teacher in chapters 18-20. (There are actually five blocks of teaching in the gospel of Matthew, but these two blocks especially balance each other.) Chapters 8-12 deal with miracles and conflict, while chapters 14-17 deal with miracles and controversy. And then right in the middle you have Jesus’ parables of the kingdom at the center of the gospel in chapter 13.

This type of structure is called a chiasm. A chiasm is simply a way of ordering one’s material so that the structure flows forward to a central point and then reverses itself after the central point, so that all the various points mirror each other. Chiasms like this are very common in Scripture.

And so, as we look at the Great Commission today, we will also see how the major themes of the Great Commission are mirrored in Matthew’s gospel, appearing in the beginning and the middle of the gospel as well as at the end.

What is the Great Commission? The Great Commission is Jesus’ marching orders to the church to go and make disciples of all nations. We have a mission from God, and a duty to fulfill it. We have a story to tell to the nations, and what a story it is, as we are commissioned to go into all the world to share good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. So, let’s look at this Great Commission together.

(Note: “B | M | E” = beginning, middle and end of Matthew)

I. The setting for the commission – a mountain in Galilee (16-17)
      – B > 5:1 | M > 17:1 | E > 28:16

First, we need to look at the setting for the Great Commission, which is a mountain in Galilee. Look at verses 16-17 with me:

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. (Matthew 28:16-17)

The word translated “doubted” here is a word that means to hesitate. It’s the same word Matthew used with Peter when Peter was walking on the water and began to doubt (14:31). We don’t know if some of the eleven disciples were still hesitant about Jesus’ resurrection or hesitant about worshiping him, or it could be that there were other brothers present (28:10), perhaps the large crowd of five hundred mentioned in 1 Corinthians (1 Cor. 15:6). But either way, the setting for the Great Commission takes place on this mountain in Galilee. And that is important for several reasons.

   A. Not the ascension (Jerusalem – Luke 24:50; Acts 1:4,12)

First of all, we know this is not where the ascension took place. The ascension took place later at the Mount of Olives outside of Jerusalem (Luke 24:50; Acts 1:4,12). Matthew doesn’t tell us about the ascension. We learn about the ascension from the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. Matthew chooses to end his gospel with the Great Commission, emphasizing Jesus’ marching orders to the church.

   B. An appropriate place for the commission (Matthew 4:15)

Another reason this is important is because Galilee was an appropriate setting for the Great Commission. Galilee was also known as “Galilee of the Gentiles” (Matthew 4:15), and so it is very appropriate that Jesus chose Galilee as the place to commission his disciples to bring the gospel to all the nations.

   C. Mountains often places of divine communication in the Bible

Finally, the mountain is important here because mountains are often places of divine communication in the Bible. Following the mirror effect we discussed earlier in the message, this is the third time that a mountain in Galilee figures prominently in Matthew’s gospel. We have the Sermon on the Mount near the beginning of the gospel (5:1), the Mount of Transfiguration in the middle (17:1), and now the Great Commission takes place on a mountain in Galilee as well (28:16).

II. The basis of the commission – Jesus’ universal authority (18)
      – B > 1:1; 2:2; 4:23 | M > 6:10; 7:29; 8-9; 13; 16:19 | E > 26:64; 28:18

So, that’s the setting of the commission. Next, we come to the basis of the commission, which is Jesus’ universal authority. Look at verse 18 with me now:

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)

This is one of the strongest statements of Jesus’ divinity you will find in the Bible. Only God has all authority in heaven and earth, and God does not share his glory with any other.

   A. “All authority in heaven and earth …”

Authority in heaven means that Jesus has authority over all spiritual beings in the heavenly places, including all angels and demons. Authority on earth means that Jesus has authority over all the nations of the earth as well as over each individual person and indeed over all of creation. Jesus already had full authority as the Son of God, but now his authority is given new meaning in the light of his incarnation, his sinless life and his resurrection from the dead.

   B. “… has been given to me.” (cf. Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 4:8-9)

Notice that this authority has been given to Jesus by the Father. You may remember when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, Satan offered to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth – if Jesus only bowed down and worshiped him (4:8-9). Jesus refused the offer, and now as a result of his obedience to the Father, Jesus is given all authority in heaven and earth.

This is the fulfillment of the Son of Man passage in the book of Daniel where the Son of Man approaches the Ancient of Days and is led into his presence. Daniel tells us: “He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:14)

This theme of the kingdom and Jesus’ authority has been a major theme throughout the gospel of Matthew, perhaps the major theme. Following the mirror effect, we see it in the beginning of Matthew starting with the very first verse (1:1) where Jesus is introduced as the Son of David, a title of authority indicating the Messiah who would come and rule over David’s kingdom forever. We see it in Matthew 2 where the Magi speak of Jesus as the King of the Jews (2:2). We see it in Matthew 4 where we are told Jesus went throughout Galilee preaching the good news of the kingdom (4:23).

This theme of the kingdom and Jesus’ authority continues in the middle of the gospel. We see it in the Lord’s Prayer in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus teaches us to pray: “Your will be done, your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven” (6:10). We find it at the end of the Sermon on the Mount where the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority (7:29). We see it in Matthew 8-9 where Jesus performs a series of miracles showing his power and authority over sickness, suffering, Satan, nature and sin. We see it in the parables of the kingdom in Matthew 13 right at the very center of the gospel. We see it again in Matthew 16 when Jesus gives Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven upon his confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (16:19).

And then, this theme of the kingdom and Jesus’ authority appears here at the end of the gospel as well. We see it in Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin when he tells the high priest that, yes, he is the Christ, the Son of God, and then he applies that Daniel 7 passage to himself when he tells them they will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven (26:64). And then of course we see it right here in our text today where the risen Lord proclaims: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (28:18).

III. The content of the commission – making disciples (19-20a)
      – B > 1:1; 2:1 | M > 8:11; 10:5-6 | E > 28:19-20

We have looked at the setting for the Great Commission, and we have looked at the basis for the Great Commission. Now we need to look at the actual content of the Great Commission as found in verses 19-20:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

   A. “Go and make disciples of all nations” (cf. Gen 12:3; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8)

The primary command here is to make disciples of all nations. That’s a pretty bold and far-reaching command. The reason we are to make disciples of all nations is because Jesus has authority over all the earth. There is only one Savior of the world, and so all people from all nations need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.

By the way, this brings us back to the call of Abraham all the way back in the book of Genesis. God promised Abraham in Genesis 12: “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3). What God promised Abraham back in Genesis 12 is now being fulfilled in Christ and the Great Commission as we go into all the world with the gospel (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8).

To make people disciples means to bring them under the authority of Jesus. A disciple is basically a follower of Jesus – Jesus is their teacher, and they are his student; Jesus is their master, and they are his servant; Jesus is Lord and Savior of their lives. So that’s the primary command here – to make disciples of all nations.

But the word “go” is important here, too. You can’t stay and make disciples of all the nations. You have to go. Not everyone is called to be an overseas missionary. But we are all called to be part of the worldwide spread of the gospel. It’s a team effort. Some are called physically to go. Others provide financial support. We all need to provide prayer support.

But the basic principle is this. If you want to bring people to Christ, you must first go to them. We all have the responsibility to go to people with the gospel – whether you go across the ocean or go across the street or simply go across the room. Jesus has given us our marching orders. Go and make disciples of all nations.

   B. “Baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit”

There are two primary ways we make people disciples of Jesus. Jesus calls them baptizing and teaching. Let’s look at baptism first.

Baptism includes sharing the gospel and leading someone to saving faith in Jesus. Once a person believes in Jesus, they are then baptized as a public testimony to their new faith and identity in Christ.

Jesus says we are to baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Notice the word “name” here is in the singular. Jesus mentions three persons, so you would expect him to say “names” instead. But Jesus says “name” in the singular because God is one God who exists eternally in three persons. And so, we baptize people into the name of the one triune God who exists eternally as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

   C. “Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”

So, faith and baptism are at the front end of making disciples. It’s how you get started on your journey with Christ. But you don’t stop there. Making disciples also includes teaching. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them … and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

This is not just teaching to impart information, but rather teaching for transformation. We don’t just teach what Jesus told us to do. Rather, we teach people to obey what Jesus told us to do. We have covered a lot of teaching in the gospel of Matthew, and so obviously all that is included. But the rest of the Bible is included here as well. The Bible is the word of God and Jesus is the Son of God, so all the Scriptures are teachings from Jesus as well.

Notice Jesus said, “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” In other words, you can’t pick and choose from Jesus’ commands. Many try to make Jesus a banner for their causes, but if you’re going to quote Jesus for one thing, you better quote him for all.

And so, discipleship is not just bringing people to Christ but bringing people to maturity in Christ, and that takes place through the teaching ministry of the church. We need to teach the whole counsel of God, so that we may become obedient believers in all areas of our lives.

And by the way, obeying the commands of Jesus includes this command of Jesus right here in Matthew 28 to go and make disciples of others. A mature follower of Jesus is one who tells others about Jesus. Disciples make other disciples. Or as Dawson Trotman, the founder of the Navigators ministry, liked to put it: “We are born to reproduce.”

Once again there is amazing balance in the gospel of Matthew. In fact, the very first verse of Matthew gives us a preview of the Great Commission here at the end. We already saw how Jesus is introduced as the son of David in Matthew 1:1 indicating his universal authority. But he is also introduced as the son of Abraham. And, as we have already seen, the primary blessing to Abraham was that he would be a blessing to all the nations.

In Matthew 2 we find the nations coming to Jesus as the Magi come from distant parts of the earth to worship him at his birth (2:1). In the middle of the gospel Jesus sends the disciples out on a mini-mission, but only to the lost sheep of Israel (10:5-6). Now at the end of the gospel we have the Great Commission where the gospel goes out to all the nations.

So, that is the content of the Great Commission. We are to go and make disciples of all nations, and we do that by baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything Jesus has commanded us in the Scriptures.

IV. The enabling of the commission – Jesus’ presence (20b)
      – B > 1:23 | M > 18:20 | E > 28:20

We have looked at the setting of the Great Commission, the basis of the Great Commission and the actual content of the Great Commission. Finally, we come to the enabling of the Great Commission. How can we possibly fulfill such a great command? There is only one way, and that is through the enabling power and presence of Jesus himself. And so, Jesus ends the Great Commission with this wonderful word of assurance:

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

   A. “I am with you always…” (constant presence)

First, Jesus says: “I am with you always,” or literally, “all the days.” This speaks of Jesus’ constant presence. He is with you every day – the good days, the bad days, the “I would just as soon forget them” days. His presence is constant. He is with you always.

   B. “… to the very end of the age.” (continuing presence)

And then Jesus says: “to the very end of the age.” This speaks of his continuing presence. Not only is Jesus with you at all times, but he promises to be with to the very end of the age. And so, Jesus closes out the Great Commission with the promise of his constant, continuing presence.

This is the enabling of the Great Commission. We would never dare to take on such a mission by ourselves. But we don’t have to. As your commanding officer, Jesus doesn’t just send you out. He promises to go with you.

This theme of Jesus’ presence is another theme that we find mirrored in the beginning, middle and end of Matthew. We find it in the beginning at the birth of Jesus when the angel says: “He will be called Immanuel, which means God with us.” (1:21) We find it in the middle of the gospel when Jesus says, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (18:20) And we find it at the very end of the gospel where Jesus promises to be with you always to the very end of the age. He is Immanuel, God with us. He has promised to be with us when we pray, and he has promised to be with us when we go forth in mission.

CONCLUSION: Jesus has commanded us to go and make disciples of all nations. This world is lost and dying in sin. Jesus is their only hope for salvation. We need to share the gospel with them. Both the first and last commands of Jesus as recorded by Matthew have to do with sharing the gospel (4:19; 28:19).

Jesus is your commanding officer. He has all authority in heaven and earth. He has commanded you to go and make disciples of all nations. Even better, he has promised to go with you. What more could you want? You’ve got your marching orders. So, let’s go!

© Ray Fowler

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