Great Commission
Instruction of the resurrected Jesus to spread the gospel worldwide.
The Great Commission refers to the resurrected Jesus Christ telling his disciples to take the gospel to every nation. This directive appears in Matthew 28:16–20, where Jesus, speaking on a mountain in Galilee, instructs his followers to make disciples and baptize all nations in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Similar commissioning episodes appear in the other Synoptic Gospels, though with notable differences. In Luke, Jesus sends out disciples—including the seventy—during his ministry, giving them authority over demons. The traditional ending of Mark, which describes the apostles dispersing, is thought to be a 2nd-century summary drawing from Matthew and Luke. The Great Commission has become a core Christian teaching, emphasizing ministry, missionary work, evangelism, and baptism. According to tradition, the apostles spread out from Jerusalem to establish apostolic sees in places like Corinth, Philippi, Ephesus, and Rome. Preterists hold that the Great Commission and other biblical prophecies were fulfilled in the 1st century, while futurists believe such prophecies await fulfillment at the Second Coming. The term "Great Commission" may have been coined by Justinian von Welz and later popularized by Hudson Taylor. Evangelical Christians interpret the commission as a directive for all believers of every era, not just the original eleven apostles, often linking it to God's covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12:3. Full Preterists argue the commission was already fulfilled, citing passages such as Mark 16:20, Colossians 1:23, and Romans 16:25–26.
- Origin
- New Testament, Matthew 28:16–20
- Also found in
- Mark 16:15–18 (traditional ending, 2nd-century summary)
- Related episodes
- Commissioning of the Twelve Apostles; sending of the seventy disciples (Luke)
- Key figures
- Resurrected Jesus Christ, the eleven Apostles
- Theological significance
- Tenet emphasizing ministry, missionary work, evangelism, baptism
- Interpretive views
- Preterists (fulfilled in 1st century); Futurists (fulfilled at Second Coming)
Lore & Background
The Great Commission is similar to the episodes of the commissioning of the Twelve Apostles found in the other Synoptic Gospels, though with significant differences. Luke also has Jesus during his ministry dispatching disciples, including the seventy disciples, sending them to all the nations and giving them power over demons. The dispersion of the Apostles in the traditional ending of Mark is thought to be a 2nd-century summary based on Matthew and Luke.
It is not known who coined the term Great Commission, though it may have been Justinian von Welz and it was later popularized by Hudson Taylor. The apostles are said to have dispersed from Jerusalem and founded the apostolic sees, such as those at Corinth, Philippi, Ephesus, and Rome.
Full Preterists believe that the Great Commission was already fulfilled based on New Testament passages such as Mark 16:20, Colossians 1:23, and Romans 16:25–26. Evangelical Christian theology has typically interpreted the commission as a directive to all Christians of every time and place.
Reader's Guide
The Great Commission is a foundational concept in Christianity, particularly for evangelical traditions, as it commands the spread of the gospel to all nations. Its significance lies in its role as a directive for missionary work, evangelism, and baptism, shaping Christian practice for centuries. The commission is recorded in Matthew 28:16–20, with parallels in Mark and Luke, though the Markan ending is considered a later summary. Interpretations vary: preterists see it as fulfilled in the 1st century, while futurists link it to the Second Coming. The term itself may have been coined by Justinian von Welz and popularized by Hudson Taylor. The commission has inspired the founding of apostolic sees and continues to motivate global missionary efforts. Its legacy is evident in ongoing debates about its timing and scope, as well as its central place in Christian theology.
Did You Know?
- The term 'Great Commission' may have been coined by Justinian von Welz and later popularized by Hudson Taylor.
- The dispersion of the Apostles in the traditional ending of Mark is thought to be a 2nd-century summary based on Matthew and Luke.
- Full Preterists believe the Great Commission was fulfilled in the 1st century, citing Colossians 1:23 and Romans 16:25–26.
- The apostles are said to have dispersed from Jerusalem and founded apostolic sees including Corinth, Philippi, Ephesus, and Rome.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Great Commission?
The Great Commission is the post-resurrection directive Jesus gives to his disciples, commanding them to spread the gospel and make disciples among all nations. It stands as one of the most frequently cited passages in Christian missionary theology.
Where in the Bible does the Great Commission appear?
The primary text is found in Matthew 28:16–20, set on a mountain in Galilee. Parallel commissioning language also shows up in Mark 16:15–18 (the traditional second-century ending) and in Luke's accounts of Jesus sending out the seventy.
What specific actions does the Great Commission require of believers?
Jesus calls his followers to go, make disciples of every nation, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe everything he commanded. It is framed as an ongoing, worldwide mandate rather than a single historical event.
How do Preterists and Futurists differ in their reading of the Great Commission?
Preterists argue the commission was fully accomplished within the first century as the gospel reached the known world. Futurists, by contrast, hold that its ultimate completion awaits the Second Coming of Christ.
How does the Great Commission differ from the sending of the seventy in Luke?
The seventy are dispatched during Jesus' earthly ministry and given authority over demons, while the Great Commission is issued after the resurrection and carries a universal, perpetual scope. The latter is directed specifically at the eleven remaining apostles rather than a broader group of disciples.
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