Matthew 28:16–20: The Great Commission
Introduction
The final five verses of the Gospel of Matthew are not merely the end of the book. Rather, these give a perfect summary of what Jesus has modeled and taught throughout, as well as a perfect summation of what Jesus wants us to do with this message. The story of Jesus is stunning and jarring, since he is without comparison as one who rises from the dead. It is normal and natural to be confused about how to move forward on the basis of this story, and, indeed, we could not hope to know what Jesus wants from us unless he himself told us. Thankfully, the conclusion of the Gospel of Matthew tells us precisely what our Lord wants from us: Jesus commissions confused people to extend his cosmic kingdom into all nations.
Discussion Questions
1. Whom does “the eleven disciples” exclude (v. 16a)? Whom does this company of disciples include? Within the context of the Gospel of Matthew, what is so significant about Galilee (v. 16b)? What significance should we draw from the fact that his disciples “worshiped him” (v. 17a)? What does it mean that “some doubted” (v. 17b)? Why do you think Matthew so freely acknowledges the hesitations and confusions of the disciples upon meeting Jesus in Galilee?
2. How has Matthew been telling us about the kingship of Jesus since the very first verse of this Gospel (Matt. 1:1)? Over what kind of a kingdom did David reign? Over what kind of a kingdom does Jesus reign (v. 18)? How does the cosmic reign of Jesus explain the significance of Jesus’ regular description of himself as the “Son of Man” (see Dan. 7:13–14)? What authority did Jesus have before his resurrection? What changed after the resurrection?
3. What significance does the word “therefore” have in v. 19? What does Jesus mean when he tells us to “go” (v. 19a)? What does it mean to “make disciples” (v. 19b)? What has changed from Jesus’ limitation of the ministry of his disciples only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel to now extending that ministry to “all nations” (v. 19c; cf. Matt. 10:5–6)? Why do we baptize (v. 19d)? Why do we baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (v. 19e)?
4. What role does teaching play in disciple-making (v. 20a)? How does the ongoing teaching ministry of the church relate to Jesus’ role as our ultimate Teacher? Why does Matthew conclude this Gospel with a promise of Jesus’ perpetual presence with us, “always, to the end of the age” (v. 20b)? What has been most impactful for you personally in our study of Matthew? What is one way that the study of this book has challenged you in your life today?
