Matthew 28:19

Context

Matthew 28:19 is a pivotal verse within what is traditionally known as the Great Commission, found at the very end of Matthew's Gospel. Following Jesus Christ's resurrection, this verse records His final instructions to His eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee. It directly follows Jesus' declaration in Matthew 28:18 that "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth," establishing the divine authority by which this far-reaching command is given. This mandate sets the tone for the entire mission of the early church and all subsequent Christian evangelism and discipleship.

Key Themes

• The Global Mandate: The phrase "all nations" signifies the universal scope of the Christian message, breaking down ethnic and geographical barriers. It emphasizes that salvation and discipleship are not limited to one people group but are for all humanity. This was a radical concept in a Jewish context.
• Discipleship, Not Just Conversion: The primary command is "teach all nations," which in the original Greek (matheteuo, μαθητεύω) means "to make disciples." This implies a process of teaching, nurturing, and training believers to follow Christ, not merely a one-time conversion experience. It involves teaching them to observe all things Christ has commanded, as further elaborated in Matthew 28:20.
• The Significance of Baptism: Baptism is presented as the initial public act of obedience and identification with Christ for new disciples. It symbolizes repentance, new life, and inclusion into the Christian community.
• The Trinitarian Formula: The instruction to baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" is the clearest and most direct statement of the Triune nature of God in the New Testament. It signifies that new believers are brought into relationship with, and under the authority of, the one God who exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek verb for "teach" in "teach all nations" is matheteuo (μαθητεύω), which means "to make disciples." This is crucial because it implies more than just imparting information; it means guiding individuals into a committed relationship with Jesus, learning His ways, and obeying His commands. The mission is not just evangelism (preaching the gospel), but comprehensive discipleship.

The phrase "in the name of" (Greek: eis to onoma, εἰς τὸ ὄνομα) when referring to baptism, signifies more than just a verbal invocation. It denotes being baptized into allegiance to, identification with, and possession by the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. It speaks of entering into a new relationship and ownership, being dedicated to the Triune God.

Practical Application

This verse serves as the enduring mission statement for the Church throughout history.

• Personal Responsibility: Every believer is called to participate in the Great Commission, whether through direct evangelism, discipleship, support of missions, or living a life that reflects Christ's teachings.
• Importance of Baptism: It underscores the significance of Christian baptism as an essential step of obedience and public declaration of faith for new believers.
• Holistic Discipleship: The command emphasizes that the Christian journey involves continuous learning, growth, and obedience to Christ's teachings, not just an initial conversion.
• Relying on Divine Authority and Presence: The mission is daunting, but it is underpinned by Jesus' "all power" (Matthew 28:18) and His promise to be with His disciples "alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20). This assures believers that they do not go alone but with the full backing of God's authority and constant presence.