By Judy Laredo
For this bible study, we will be looking at Matthew 28:16-20.
V16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.
V17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
V18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
V19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
V20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen."
V16 says the eleven disciples went away into Galilee. The twelve disciples are now eleven, after Judas Iscariot killed himself. The angel told the disciples there they would see Jesus. Previously, the Lord Himself told His disciples He would meet them there after He was raised from the dead. Matthew 26:32 (NKJV) "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee."
So, what mountain did Jesus appoint for them to meet? Was it the mountain on which Jesus was transfigured?
The bible doesn't say. All we know is it was a certain mountain in Galilee.
Galilee is approximately 70-miles from Jerusalem. Depending on the route taken, it's about a 3–5-day journey.
Longer, safer routes could be a 4-6-day journey. But to get to see their risen Lord was well worth the journey.
V17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him. They worshipped, bowed down and may have even fallen on their faces, prostrated before Him. The disciples paid Him honor as the Messiah. But some doubted.
Remember, doubting Thomas, the twin, who said, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe" (John 20:25). But Thomas did see the risen Lord and believed. When he saw the Risen Lord in that upper room, Thomas responded with "my Lord and my God" (John 20:28).
Could this still be talking about Thomas or any of the other 10 disciples? We don't know. We know in the bible, it says that Jesus appeared to over 500 of His disciples at the same time. 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 (NLT) (This is Paul speaking) "(3) I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. (4) He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. (5) He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. (6) After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died."
Could it be that this was time Jesus appeared to over 500 of His disciples at once? Again, the bible doesn't say when or where He appeared to over 500 disciples at once.
But some doubted. The Greek word used here for doubt is DISTAZO. It means to stand in two ways, implying "uncertainty which way to take." This is said of believers whose faith is small. This Greek word, DISTAZO, is only used in two verses in the bible. It is used here in Matthew 28:17, and in Matthew 14:31 (NKJV)
"And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
The faith of sincere believers in Christ can go from one end of the spectrum to the other. Some people's faith can be weak and wavering while others have full assurance of faith. Faith and doubt sometimes alternate.
But after seeing their risen Lord, and hearing Him speak to them, these doubts were removed and their faith grew to full assurance. David Guzik wrote, “When they (the disciples) recognized Him, it was natural that they worshipped Him, but the whole experience was so mysterious and overwhelming that some doubted…The verb “distazo” does not denote a settled unbelief, but a state of uncertainty and hesitation.”
In Diane Barstow's teaching a few weeks ago, she commented on the disciples struggle with unbelief and said the probable reason why they struggled with unbelief was because they had not expected His resurrection. They were hoping but they were not expecting His resurrection.
V18 "And Jesus came and spoke to them." The disciples took a 70-mile journey, from Jerusalem to Galilee, to meet Jesus. And Jesus came and spoke to them. Can you see the illustration here? James 4:8a (NKJV) says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you..." And Jesus came and spoke to them. If I may put it this way, as we journey through the Scriptures, we too can expect Jesus to speak to us through His word.
The second half of verse 18 says, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." The Greek word here for AUTHORITY (or power) is EXOUSIA. It's all power of rule or government. “It is the power of one whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed.”
Jesus. the Son of God, is the Creator of all things. And as Creator, He has the right and power over all things. Colossians 1:16-18 (NKJV) "(16) For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. (17) And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. (18) And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence."
Albert Barnes stated, "Jesus has ALL AUTHORITY that He may redeem, defend, and save the church that was purchased with His own blood." Jude 1:25 (NKJV) "To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power (EXOUSIA), Both now and forever. Amen." All power, Authority (EXOUSIA) in heaven and on earth belong to Jesus Christ.
Pastor Chuck Smith said, "If we look around at the vast universe, it speaks to us of the glory and the power of God.” The heavens, the earth, the sea and all that is in them! Seen and unseen. Known and unknown. Wiersbe wrote, "The entire gospel of Matthew stresses the authority of Jesus Christ.”
There was authority to His teaching, Matthew 7:29 (NKJV) "for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." Jesus exercised authority in healing, Matthew 8:2-3 (NKJV) "(2) And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." (3) Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed." In fact, Matthew chapter 8, is all about Jesus's authority to heal and command. Jesus healed the centurion’s servant without even seeing him (Matthew 8:5-13). Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14-15). Jesus healed many demon-possessed people (Matthew 8:16-17, 28-32). Even the winds and the waves obeyed Jesus. (Matthew 8:23-27). Jesus even exercised authority in forgiving sins, Matthew 9:6 (NKJV) "But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"--then He said to the paralytic, "Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." Jesus had authority over Satan, and He delegated that authority to His apostles, Matthew 10:1 (NASB20) "Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness."
And here, in the last chapter, Matthew 28, verse 18, Matthew made it clear that Jesus has all authority. EXOUSIA. The official right or power had been given to Jesus by the Father in heaven.
V19 “Go therefore” means going, to pursue the journey or continue on one's journey. Make disciples of all nations (teach all peoples). Going. Teaching. Baptizing. This is the Great Commission. "His work and message would continue to the world through His disciples" (Guzik). And it continues through us today.
"Go" is not the command in this verse. The command is "make disciples." This is the missionary task of the church. This is not just for the pastor of the church to do. It's for all of us. We are the church. We are His hands and feet. Matthew 9:37-38 (NKJV) "(37) Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. (38) "Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." It's the Great Commission, not the great suggestion as many pastors have stated.
"Because Jesus has all authority, we are therefore commanded to go. It is His authority that sends us, His authority that guides us, and His authority that empowers us.”
Go therefore and make disciples. So, what does that mean? What's a disciple? Noun: To learn. Verb: To teach. Wiersbe said, "A disciple is one who has believed on Jesus Christ and expressed this faith by being baptized. This person remains in the fellowship of the believers that he/she might be taught the truths of the faith." Acts 2:42 (NKJV) "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." Colossians 1:23a (NLT) "But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don't drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News…" "These disciples are then able to go out and win others and teach and disciple them."
To make disciples means to teach or train others to follow and obey Christ. We are to come alongside them and encourage them. Especially someone new in the faith. Or leading someone to faith. We are to take them "under our wing" and help them to grow spiritually. Like the Holy Spirit does with us. The Helper (Parakletos),
He comes along side us, He teaches us and will help us and empower us to disciple others. Romans 10:13-15 (NKJV) "(13) For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." (14) How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"" We are called to go and make disciples so they can hear the message concerning Christ. Romans 10:17 (NKJV) "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
Pastor Chuck Smith said, "the ministry of the Church is to teach. The Church has plenty of preachers but not enough teachers." New believers need friends. They want a friend not someone who just preaches at them.
Someone to come alongside them and help them grow in their walk with Jesus.
Some new believers who give their lives to Christ end up losing friends. Close friends. And sometimes even their family. They need encouragement, they need to be loved on. And we need to be examples.
V19 "baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Those who believed were to be baptized in water, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Here is the evidence of the Trinity of God, mentioned by Jesus Himself: Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
One God, who subsists (exist, remain or continue in existence) in three Persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). The Halley's Study Bible noted, "Each of the Three is distinguished from the others; each possess all the Divine attributes; yet the Three are One. One God, three Persons.”
In the NASB Study Bible, Charles Ryrie said, "This is a mystery that no analogy can illustrate satisfactorily. The "Sun" analogy may come close to a suitable illustration. (The Sun, sunlight and the power of the sun)."
Matthew Henry said, “Baptism is an outward sign of that inward washing, or sanctification of the Spirit.” They were to go, baptize and teach on the basis of His Authority.” In His power. His EXOUSIA.
The Apostles were to make disciples by proclaiming the truth concerning Jesus. His official command to us is to go and make disciples, of all nations (peoples). And we are backed (supported, assisted) by all the authority of heaven and earth.
V20 "Teaching them to observe (obey) all things that I have commanded you. And what things are we to teach them? The whole counsel of God. We teach them to abide in His word. And not just abiding but understanding and practicing His teachings. Guzik said, "This teaching is not with words only, but with the power of the always-present Jesus. He will be present with His people until the job of making disciples is done." The Holy Spirit will guide and empower us.
“And lo, I am with you always.” Just as God promised Joshua that He would never leave him or forsake him, so Jesus told His disciples, “I am with you always.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Warren Wiersbe related a story that Dr. G. Campbell Morgan experienced with this statement Jesus made. He wrote, "Early in his Christian life, Morgan used to visit several women 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 woman quickly replied, “Young man, that is not a promise—it is a fact!”
Ellicott, in his commentary, stated the Lord Jesus' statement, "lo, I am with you always," states, "I am with you a living presence, conscious, intelligent, knowing you and offering the powers of the Infinite to save you and to complete the plan of your life, and lift you into a life of holiness with God."
Ellicott's wrote about John Wesley's last words before he passed into eternity. “When John Wesley had done his work and was even now passing within the veil, we are told that, gathering up what strength remained to him, he cried out, 'The best of all is, God is with us!'. . . Christ’s presence is for all the days of the Church’s history, for each hour of the day of every Christian's life."
"Lo, I am with you always." “Jesus did not use idle words. He meant something -about everything- when He said it. Jesus said, in the most plainest, possible language, "I am with you always." Individually, collectively,
right now, tonight when we sleep, tomorrow in our daily tasks. Next week, next month, next year. Matthew 18:20 (NKJV) "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
And as Jesus said to His disciples, He says to us, "And lo, I am with you always."
“Even to the end of the age.” It means, Behold, I am with you all the days, or, at all times. It implies continuousness, permanency. It's an abiding Presence. Always … non-stop … forever … even to the end of the age. In our life and in our death, as Wesley said, "The best of all is, God is with us.”
Notice the word "ALL" starting in verse 18 through verse 20. The word "all" dominates these verses and ties them together. Jesus said, All authority; All nations; All things; and All the days (always).
One commentator said "this great utterance of our Lord falls into three parts:
- A Great Claim: "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." Jesus declared Himself to be King by Divine right.
- A Great Commission: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations (v19); "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you (v20)." To proclaim salvation by grace, to all nations (peoples - even the gentiles).
- A Great Assurance: "Lo, I am with you always (all days), even to the end of the age."
So, why then are we commanded to share our faith? The Halley's Study Bible states that there are, at least, six compelling reasons for sharing our faith in Christ with those who have not experienced new life in Christ:
- Because God has commanded us to do so.
- Acts 1:8 (NLT) "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
- Because it demonstrates our love for God. If we truly love Him we will keep His commandments.
- John 14:15 (NLT) "If you love me, obey my commandments."
- Because all are lost without Christ.
- Romans 3:10, 23 (NLT) "(10) As the Scriptures say, "No one is righteous--not even one. ... (23) For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard."
- Because this is God's chosen method. He could use angels but He chooses to use redeemed sinners to tell lost sinners about Christ.
- Romans 10:14-17 (NKJV) "(14) How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" (16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "LORD, who has believed our report?" (17) So then faith [comes] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
- 1 Timothy 1:15 (NKJV) "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."
- Because God desires to save all people.
- Acts 4:12 (NKJV) "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
- 1 Timothy 2:4 (NKJV) "(God) who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
- 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."
- Because faith grows best when we conscientiously strive to pass it on to others.
As we share Christ, it builds our own faith, it strengthens our own beliefs and helps us in our own walk with Christ. 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT) "Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it."
The Great Commission is based upon and backed by all the authority of the risen and exalted Lord who promises to be ever-present with His people. Aways. Even to the end of the age.
The book of Matthew starts with God with us: Matthew 1:23 (NKJV) "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." And the book of Matthew ends with, God with us: Matthew 28:20b (NKJV) "… and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
“The Lord is always, and will always, be with us. And in His power, His authority (EXOUSIA), His command for the commission can be performed.”
Because He is Immanuel. God with us. Even to the end of the age.
Amen!
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Bibliography:
Adam Clarke Commentary; Albert Barnes Notes on the Whole Bible; BlueLetterBible.Org; Chuck Smith, BlueLetterBible Commentary; David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary; Ellicott's Commentary; GotQuestions.com; Matthew Henry Commentary; The Halley's Study Bible (NIV); The Ryrie Study Bible (NASB); Warren Wiersbe, Bible Commentary