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What Does Matthew 28:19 Teach About the Authority and Scope of the Great Commission?



Matthew 28:19 states, “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.” These words are part of what is commonly referred to as the Great Commission, delivered by Jesus to His apostles after His resurrection. This verse encapsulates the final instructions given by Jesus before His ascension, highlighting the universal scope of the gospel message, the necessity of baptism, and the authoritative nature of making disciples according to divine truth. Matthew 28:19 underscores the global, transformative mission entrusted to the apostles and, by extension, to the church throughout the ages.



The verse opens with the word “Therefore,” which connects Jesus’ command to the preceding verse where He declares, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). This divine authority forms the basis for the apostles’ mission. Jesus, having been given full authority by Jehovah, is commissioning His followers to carry out His will on a global scale. This authority is absolute and universal, encompassing both the spiritual and physical realms. As a result, the task assigned to the apostles was not a suggestion but a divine mandate requiring complete obedience.


The command that follows is “go and make disciples of all nations.” The Greek verb for “go” (poreuthentes) is a participle that carries the idea of going forth with purpose. It is not merely about movement or travel but about intentional action in taking the gospel to every corner of the world. The main verb in the sentence is “make disciples” (mathēteusate), which is an imperative verb, indicating a direct command. The central mission of the Great Commission is not simply to teach, preach, or convert, but to make disciples—committed followers who will learn, obey, and live by the teachings of Jesus.



The phrase “of all nations” (panta ta ethnē) makes it clear that this mission is universal in scope. No nation, people, or ethnic group is excluded. This directive demolishes any notion that the gospel is only for the Jews or limited to a select group. It aligns with Jehovah’s original promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3: “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Isaiah 49:6 echoes this theme, where Jehovah says, “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob… I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” The Great Commission fulfills these Old Testament promises by extending the gospel beyond Israel to all nations.


The next part of the verse, “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” establishes baptism as an essential element of discipleship. The Greek word for “baptizing” (baptizontes) means immersion, which was the practice of the early church. Baptism is not optional or symbolic—it is a command associated with the remission of sins and entrance into the body of Christ. Acts 2:38 affirms this truth: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”



The phrase “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” emphasizes the authority and unity of the Godhead in the work of salvation. To be baptized “in the name” (eis to onoma) means to be baptized into the possession and under the authority of the one whose name is invoked. This language does not imply a literal recitation of these words during baptism but highlights the theological reality that baptism brings the individual into a relationship with the Father, Son, and Spirit—a relationship established through obedience to the gospel.


The Father is the source of salvation, having sent the Son to redeem humanity (John 3:16). The Son accomplished the work of redemption through His death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). The Holy Spirit revealed and confirmed the message of salvation through the apostles and continues to operate through the inspired Word of God (John 16:13; Ephesians 6:17). Baptism, therefore, is not merely a ritual—it is the point at which the believer enters into covenant relationship with Jehovah and submits to the authority of the triune God.



The Great Commission also emphasizes that baptism is part of making disciples. Baptism is not an isolated event or a symbolic ceremony. It is an act of obedient faith that initiates the disciple’s journey of lifelong submission to Christ. Romans 6:3–4 teaches that “all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that… we too may live a new life.” Baptism unites the believer with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, enabling them to walk in newness of life.


Furthermore, baptizing them is not the conclusion of the process but the beginning of discipleship. The next verse, Matthew 28:20, commands the apostles to “teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.” True discipleship involves ongoing instruction, spiritual growth, and obedience. Baptism initiates the believer into the body of Christ, but continued teaching and obedience cultivate spiritual maturity and faithfulness.



Matthew 28:19 also underscores the apostolic responsibility to ensure that the gospel is spread faithfully and that those who respond are properly taught and nurtured in their faith. Paul’s letters reflect this same mission, as he reminded Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” The Great Commission is not about making converts but about producing mature, obedient disciples who in turn continue the work of spreading the gospel.



Ultimately, Matthew 28:19 teaches that the Great Commission is a command rooted in the authority of Jesus Christ, requiring believers to make disciples of all nations through the preaching of the gospel and baptism into a relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This divine mandate carries eternal significance, and those who respond in faith and obedience become part of Jehovah’s family, equipped to carry out His will and advance His kingdom. The mission initiated by Jesus in this verse continues today through the faithful proclamation of His Word and the diligent making of disciples who obey His commands.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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