Matthew 28:16-20

June 19th, 2020

All authority has been given to Jesus. 

His command to love God above all and others as yourself is the same today and will remain until the day He returns. It is His right alone to judge, not ours. Every man stands to be approved and must answer to God. Until the day Christ returns we need to show the love of God to all people…period. Knowing that the love we show, even to our enemies, can draw them to the only One who can give them salvation. 

    The love of God never returns void.

Matthew 28:16-20

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the 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 have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The Greek verb used for doubt implies hesitation or indecision, rather than unbelief. The disciples are struggling to comprehend what they are witnessing. The resurrection is the ultimate validation of Jesus’ divine authority. He extends this authority to His disciples to continue the work of the kingdom of heaven. Matthew emphasizes this theme throughout his Gospel. Jesus has repeatedly demonstrated His authority over all things—the human body, demons, natural elements (such as wind and water), the Sabbath, sin, and even death. The disciples’ task was to reproduce themselves by going, baptizing, and teaching. Faithlife Bible.

When the eleven disciples went away into Galilee they were probably accompanied by many more people. This may be the appearance to more than five hundred people mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians. This may explain why some doubted; after all, the Eleven were confirmed believers in the resurrected Christ by this time. All authority has been given to Jesus, although He is not yet exercising all of it. He will manifest this power when He returns in all His glory. The word authority normally refers to delegated authority. The Father would give this authority to the Son. The Great Commission rests on the authority of Christ. Because He has authority over all, everyone needs to hear His gospel. NKJ Bible.

Isaiah 52:10 | The LORD has made bare His holy arm In the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Daniel 7:14 | Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.

Mark 16:15 | And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

Mark 16:16 | He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.