Matthew 28 19

Matthew 28:19 kjv

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Matthew 28:19 nkjv

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,

Matthew 28:19 niv

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Matthew 28:19 esv

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Matthew 28:19 nlt

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 28 verses

Matthew 28 19 Meaning

Matthew 28:19 stands as the central directive of the "Great Commission," given by Jesus Christ to His disciples after His resurrection. It establishes the global mission of the Christian faith, mandating active evangelism, comprehensive discipleship, and water baptism as a public confession and initiation rite. The verse underscores the universal scope of the Gospel, extending its reach beyond national or ethnic boundaries to encompass "all nations," and solemnly affirms the triune nature of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as the ultimate authority and identity under which new believers are brought. This command outlines the Church's perpetual responsibility to propagate the Kingdom of God worldwide.

Matthew 28 19 Context

Matthew 28:19 forms part of the climactic conclusion to the Gospel of Matthew, known as the "Great Commission" (Mt 28:18-20). This instruction is delivered by Jesus to His eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee, as prophesied by Jesus (Mt 26:32, 28:7, 28:10). The command immediately follows Jesus' assertion of His absolute and universal authority ("All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me," Mt 28:18). This authority provides the foundation and imperative for the mission that follows.

The preceding verses (28:16-17) acknowledge that while some worshipped Jesus, "some doubted." This highlights that the commission is given not to perfect believers but to those still growing in faith, demonstrating Jesus' grace and the power of His presence. Within the broader context of Matthew's Gospel, this command culminates themes woven throughout: Jesus as the true Son of God and Israel's Messiah who fulfills Old Testament prophecy, the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven, the importance of discipleship (learning and obeying Jesus' teachings), and the inclusion of Gentiles into God's plan. The shift from Jesus' initial limited mission focus (e.g., Mt 10:5-6, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles...") to a worldwide one signifies the universal scope of the New Covenant ushered in by His death and resurrection. The explicit Trinitarian formula marks a definitive Christian identity, distinguishing it from prevailing monotheistic Jewish thought while revealing the unique nature of the Godhead as revealed in Christ. This "sending" also forms a strong parallel with God's sending of Israel to be a light to the nations (e.g., Isa 49:6), thus establishing the Church as the instrument of this universal revelation.

Matthew 28 19 Word analysis

• "Go" (πορευθέντες - poreuthentes): A present active participle. This implies that "going" is not a separate, initial action to be completed, but rather an ongoing state or characteristic activity of disciples as they are engaged in the primary command. It suggests that mission is not stationary but dynamic, actively involving movement beyond existing comfort zones or communities. It carries the weight of an imperative, demanding outward action.
• "therefore" (οὖν - oun): This conjunctive adverb signals a logical consequence. The "going," "making disciples," and "baptizing" are a direct result of Jesus' previously stated, absolute authority (Mt 28:18). This anchors the commission firmly in Christ's sovereignty, transforming it from a suggestion into an inescapable imperative.
• "make disciples" (μαθητεύσατε - mathēteusate): This is the single, overarching imperative verb in the Greek, making it the core command. It means to teach, train, and enlist someone as a follower or pupil. It's more profound than simply "making converts." Discipleship involves not just conversion, but a comprehensive process of teaching, spiritual formation, obedience, and character transformation, transforming individuals into devoted learners and followers of Jesus Christ. This process often includes ongoing teaching as seen in Mt 28:20.
• "of all nations" (πάντα τὰ ἔθνη - panta ta ethnē): Ethne (nations) refers to all people groups, especially non-Israelites (Gentiles), emphasizing the universal, global scope of the mission. It transcends ethnic, geographical, and cultural boundaries. This was a revolutionary concept in a time when many Jewish religious thoughts limited salvation to the covenant people of Israel, indicating a direct expansion of God's covenant blessings through Christ to all humanity.
• "baptizing them" (βαπτίζοντες - baptizontes): A present active participle, indicating an accompanying action to "making disciples." It signifies immersion (from baptizō, to immerse), a public ritual that symbolizes purification, repentance, spiritual identification with Christ's death and resurrection, and initiation into the Christian community and new life in Christ. It's an outward sign of an inward transformation.
• "in the name" (εἰς τὸ ὄνομα - eis to onoma): This phrase denotes incorporation into, identification with, or allegiance to the authority and person of. It is not merely a verbal formula but implies a deep relational commitment and submission to the one whose name is invoked. It signifies dedication, belonging, and an embodying of the character of the Triune God.
• "of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος - tou Patros kai tou Huiou kai tou Hagiou Pneumatos): This explicitly Trinitarian formula is a profound revelation unique to Christian theology. It asserts the co-equal divinity and distinct personhood within the unified Godhead. The baptism acknowledges the new believer's entrance into a covenant relationship with the triune God, underscoring the foundational doctrine of Christianity regarding the nature of God Himself.

Words-group analysis:

• "Go therefore and make disciples": This emphasizes the active, authoritative, and core purpose of the commission. Discipleship is the primary aim, driven by Christ's supreme authority, necessitating intentional engagement with the world. It frames evangelism as a proactive endeavor rather than a passive wait.
• "of all nations, baptizing them": This highlights the boundless inclusivity and methodology. The mission is global in its reach, and baptism serves as the formal gateway into the community of disciples, signaling both public profession and the breaking down of ethnic barriers for all who believe.
• "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit": This profound declaration establishes the theological identity and authority of the Christian faith. It reveals the Trinitarian nature of God as the ultimate divine reality, into whose unique covenantal fellowship believers are incorporated, signifying an allegiance that is utterly foundational and eternal.

Matthew 28 19 Bonus section

The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 is intrinsically linked to God's ancient covenantal promise to Abraham that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Gen 12:3). This highlights a continuity from the Old Testament expectation of Israel as a light to the nations (e.g., Isa 49:6) to the New Testament's universal scope of the Church's mission. While the Old Testament prophets foretold Gentile inclusion, Matthew 28:19 unequivocally states the mechanism through which it will happen: deliberate, active outreach and discipleship initiated by Christ's followers.

Scholarly discussion sometimes arises regarding the "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" formula in light of references in Acts where baptism is mentioned "in the name of Jesus Christ" (e.g., Acts 2:38, Acts 8:16, Acts 19:5). Most theological perspectives understand these phrases not as contradictory but complementary. "In the name of Jesus" in Acts primarily denotes allegiance to Christ's authority and lordship, encompassing the full understanding of the Godhead that Jesus Himself taught, as explicitly stated in Matthew. It signifies conversion to Christ, which implicitly involves the Trinitarian God revealed through Him. The Matthew formula is a more precise theological declaration of the identity of the Godhead being invoked, emphasizing the unity of essence and distinction of persons in the Triune God into whom believers are baptized. The Great Commission thus provides the theological bedrock for the Church's global expansion, establishing a Trinitarian understanding as foundational for Christian identity and practice.

Matthew 28 19 Commentary

Matthew 28:19 is the ultimate and defining directive for the Church, outlining its divine mandate and perpetual purpose. Rooted in Jesus' absolute authority (Mt 28:18), it is not a suggestion but an imperative for all who follow Christ. The command "make disciples" is the central charge, signifying a comprehensive process beyond mere conversion. It involves fostering spiritual growth, teaching obedience to Christ's commands (Mt 28:20), and nurturing individuals into lifelong followers and learners. This transformative journey is facilitated through proactive "going"—both locally and globally—to reach "all nations," dismantling any prior ethnocentric biases within God's redemptive plan.

Baptism, administered "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," serves as the essential act of public profession and initiation. This Trinitarian formula is central; it signifies allegiance to the triune God, acknowledging the full deity and distinct roles of God as Creator and Father, Jesus as Savior and Lord, and the Holy Spirit as Empowerer and Sustainer. It is an incorporation into the divine life and authority, providing identity and belonging within the new spiritual family. Thus, the verse provides the Church's roadmap: to proclaim the Gospel to all people, integrate them into the Christian community through baptism, and train them in obedient discipleship, all under the empowering presence and authority of the triune God, and with the promise of Christ's continued presence (Mt 28:20).

• Examples:
  • Personal Witness: Sharing one's faith with a neighbor or colleague.
  • Local Church Outreach: Inviting community members to participate in Christian fellowship and learning.
  • Cross-Cultural Missions: Sending missionaries to remote regions to share the Gospel and establish local fellowships.
  • Mentorship Programs: Experienced believers guiding new converts in understanding and applying biblical principles.