Matthew 28:18-20 is Jesus’ final instruction to his disciples before his ascension, often called the Great Commission. In these verses he claims全 authority in heaven and on earth, and sends his followers to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything he commanded.
The passage closes Matthew’s Gospel. The eleven remaining disciples have gone to a mountain in Galilee, the place Jesus had arranged to meet them after his resurrection. Their meeting follows the account of the guards who were paid to spread a false story about the empty tomb, which sets the tone: the message of Jesus is about to move outward, and nothing can stop it.
18 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 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 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28:18-20 (WEB)
Matthew 28:18-20 Summary
Jesus begins by stating a fact that changes everything: all authority has been given to him. Because his authority covers heaven and earth, the mission he gives is not a hopeful suggestion but a commission backed by the one who holds all power. The command that follows is simple in form: go, make disciples, baptize, and teach.
The passage ends with a promise rather than a rule. Jesus says he will be with them always, until the end of the age. The disciples are not sent out on their own strength. They go as people accompanied by the risen Lord, and that presence is what sustains the work across generations and borders.
Context of Matthew 28:18-20
The Gospel of Matthew was written for a community that was largely Jewish and was learning how to read the story of Israel through Jesus. Matthew often presents Jesus as the one who fulfills the promises made to Abraham and to David, and the reference to “all nations” echoes the earlier promise that Abraham’s family would bless the nations. Traditionally the author is identified as Matthew, one of the twelve apostles, though scholars debate the exact details.
The verses just before this passage describe the disciples’ confusion and doubt, and the verses just after it are the end of the Gospel. Matthew deliberately places the commission at the point of Jesus’ authority being fully revealed. The surrounding story moves from fear and bribery to worship and sending, so the reader is left with a clear picture of what the risen Jesus does with his people.
Matthew 28:18-20 Verse by Verse
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
(WEB)
Jesus promises power for witness that moves outward from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. It echoes the Great Commission by showing the disciples how the mission will be carried out.
John 20:21
Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”
(WEB)
Jesus sends his disciples just as the Father sent him. This verse shows that the commission in Matthew flows from the same relationship of sending and trust found throughout the Gospels.
A Prayer Based on Matthew 28:18-20
Lord Jesus, you hold all authority in heaven and on earth, and I am grateful that you have not kept your power to yourself. Thank you for sending your people into the world with a clear purpose and for going with us. Give me courage to speak of you where I am, patience with those who are slow to believe, and wisdom to teach what you have commanded. Remind me that you are with me always, even when the work feels small or difficult. Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “all authority has been given to me” mean?
It means that Jesus has been granted complete rule over heaven and earth by the Father. This gives weight and confidence to the mission he assigns, because the one who sends the disciples holds total power.
Why does the passage mention baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
Baptism marks a person as belonging to the triune God and begins life as a disciple. The phrase reflects the early Christian understanding of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and it is the public sign of entering the community of faith.
What is the Great Commission?
The Great Commission is the name often given to Matthew 28:18-20, where Jesus sends his followers to make disciples of all nations. It has inspired Christian mission and teaching for centuries.
