The Great Commission – An Exploration of the Old and New Testament

The Great Commission as Climax of the Four Gospels
In Christian tradition, “the Great Commission” is a term for the instruction of the resurrected Jesus Christ to his disciples—that they should spread his gospel to all the nations of the world. In a narrower sense, the term defines five specific texts in the New Testament. In an even narrower meaning, the term often just defines Matthew 28:16-20.

Jesus’ most important concern between the resurrection and his ascent into heaven seems to have been world missions, made possible by his sacrificial death on the cross as the most important aspect of his suffering, death, and resurrection. All four Gospels include some form of the Great Commission given in the period of time following the resurrection (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:13-53, particularly vs. 44-49; John 20:11-23, particularly vs. 21-23; and Acts 1:4-11).

In each Gospel the sending of the disciples into the world at the end points back to the twelve apostles being chosen by Jesus in the beginning. Jesus chose the disciples “that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach” (Mark 3:13). From the very beginning, the goal of their intensive training through living and working with him was to prepare them for the Great Commission.

Their training as missionaries was not arbitrary, but clearly according to Jesus’ deliberate plan:

  • First, Jesus preached alone.
  • Second, Jesus preached while the disciples observed.
  • Third, Jesus let the disciples preach while he observed.
  • Fourth, Jesus sent the disciples out for a short mission (Matthew 10:1-11; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6) and discussed the results with them.
  • Last, Jesus sent the disciples alone. They then began to do the same with other Christians.

Thus, training toward independence is a central element of missions. The Great Commission in the Gospel of Matthew (28:16-20) is not only the end of the Gospel of Matthew, it is also its climax and its goal. For this reason, Matthew emphasizes from the first chapter on that the good news is also for the heathen (e.g., 5:14; 9:37-38; 12: 8-21).

The Great Commission and the Old Testament
 Although the apostles spoke of Jesus’ commandment several times after Pentecost (Acts 1:2, 10:42), they never cited the Great Commission directly. Peter combines the Great Commission with a reference to the Old Testament as an argument for his preaching the gospel to the Gentile Cornelius (Acts 10:42-43).

According to Jesus, all parts of the Old Testament speak not only of his coming, dying, and rising, but

of forgiveness to be preached to all nations.

For this reason, it is not surprising that the Great Commission according to Luke is derived directly from the Old Testament (Luke 24:43-49). According to Jesus, all parts of the Old Testament speak not only of his coming, dying, and rising, but of forgiveness to be preached to all nations.

The Content Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew’s Gospel justifies world missions by the assurance, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth” (28:18), and that he will always be with his Church (28:20). Thus, the Great Commission is not only an assignment but also a promise. Jesus himself carries the responsibility for discipling all nations, for, he says, “I will build my church, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew16:18). The success of world missions confirms the promise of Christ’s dominion.

pagebreak-4421257