The Great Commission in All Four Gospels

Introduction

The Great Commission, the divine mandate given by Jesus Christ to His disciples, stands as the cornerstone of Christian missions. It is the call to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples of all nations, and teach them to observe all that Christ has commanded. While Matthew 28:18–20 is often cited as the classic Great Commission passage, each of the four Gospels presents a unique perspective on this mission. Together, they offer a rich, multifaceted understanding of the Church’s calling to fulfill the Great Commission.

Matthew's Commission: The Mandate to Make Disciples

Matthew’s Gospel presents the Great Commission with clarity and authority. In Matthew 28:18–20, Jesus declares:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them... and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

This passage emphasizes several key elements:

• Universal authority: Jesus grounds the commission in His sovereign authority over all creation.
• Global scope: The command is to make disciples of “all nations,” reflecting the inclusive nature of the gospel.
• Holistic discipleship: The mission involves baptizing and teaching, not just evangelizing.

Mark's Commission: The Proclamation of the Gospel to All Creation

Mark’s Gospel focuses on quick action and Christ’s power, giving a shorter but still strong version of the Great Commission.

Mark 16:15-18 records Jesus saying, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Key themes in Mark’s account include:

• Evangelistic urgency: The gospel is to be preached to “all creation.”
• Faith and response: Salvation is linked to belief and baptism.
• Spiritual authority: Signs such as healing and deliverance confirm the message.

Luke's Commission: The Witness of Repentance and Forgiveness to All Nations

Luke’s Gospel highlights that salvation is for everyone and shows Christ’s compassion. It gives a unique view of the Great Commission by linking it to Old Testament prophecy.

In Luke 24:46-49, Jesus opens the minds of His disciples to understand the Scriptures, declaring, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."

Jesus explains that His suffering, death, and resurrection fulfilled Scripture, and now His followers must proclaim:

• Repentance and forgiveness—core themes of Luke's Gospel.
• Global scope—to “all nations,” starting from Jerusalem.
• Power from on high—the promised Holy Spirit would empower them (v.49).

John's Commission: The Sending as the Father Sent the Son

John’s Gospel focuses on who Jesus is and gives deep spiritual meaning. It shows the Great Commission when Jesus appears to His disciples after rising from the dead.

In John 20:21-23, Jesus breathes on them and says, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, their sins are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld."

Just as Jesus was sent by the Father into the world, so He sends His followers. This passage emphasizes:

• Missional identity—the Church mirrors Christ’s incarnational mission.
• Empowerment by the Holy Spirit—Jesus breathes on them (v.22), prefiguring Pentecost.
• The authority to forgive sins—a sign of Gospel proclamation and reconciliation.

Unity in Diversity: A Holistic Understanding

Each Gospel shares the Great Commission in a unique way, helping us see the full meaning of Jesus' mission. Matthew gives a clear guide for making disciples, focusing on Jesus' authority and presence. Mark shows the urgency of spreading the message with God's power. Luke talks about repentance and forgiveness, rooted in prophecy and led by the Holy Spirit. John shows the mission as a continuation of Jesus' own sending, with the Spirit working within us. Together, they show that the Great Commission isn’t just a job to do but it’s a call to join in God’s plan to save the world, with His presence and Spirit helping us share the good news of Jesus with everyone.

For the contemporary church, understanding these diverse yet unified perspectives is vital for equipping believers to effectively fulfill this timeless and transformative calling.

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The Great Commission in All Four Gospels

The Great Commission, the divine mandate given by Jesus Christ to His disciples, stands as the cornerstone of Christian missions. It is the call to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples of all nations, and teach them to observe all that Christ has commanded. While commonly associated with Matthew 28, a closer look reveals that this crucial command is not confined to a single Gospel. Each of the four canonical Gospels, in their unique perspectives, presents a facet of the Great Commission, offering a comprehensive and multi-dimensional understanding of its scope, purpose, and the empowering presence of Christ.

Matthew's Commission: The Mandate to Make Disciples

Matthew’s Gospel, often referred to as the "Gospel of the King," concludes with the most explicit and well-known rendition of the Great Commission. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus declares, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." This passage emphasizes the expansive nature of the mission—reaching "all nations"—and the comprehensive process of "making disciples" through baptism and teaching. The commission is grounded in Christ's supreme authority and is empowered by His perpetual presence, ensuring the disciples are not sent out alone.

Mark's Commission: The Proclamation of the Gospel to All Creation

Mark’s Gospel, characterized by its emphasis on immediate action and the power of Christ, presents a more concise, yet equally potent, version of the Great Commission. Mark 16:15-18 records Jesus saying, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." Here, the focus is on the urgent "proclamation of the gospel" to "the whole creation," highlighting the universal reach of the message. The accompanying signs serve as divine authentication of the disciples' ministry, affirming the power of God at work through them.

Luke's Commission: The Witness of Repentance and Forgiveness to All Nations

Luke’s Gospel, with its emphasis on the universality of salvation and the compassion of Christ, provides a distinct perspective on the Great Commission, connecting it to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. In Luke 24:46-49, Jesus opens the minds of His disciples to understand the Scriptures, declaring, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." This rendition highlights the content of the message—"repentance and forgiveness of sins"—and its global reach, "to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem." Crucially, it underscores the necessity of divine empowerment, promising the Holy Spirit for effective witness.

John's Commission: The Sending as the Father Sent the Son

John’s Gospel, known for its deep theological insights and emphasis on the identity of Christ, presents the Great Commission in the context of Jesus' post-resurrection appearance to His disciples. In John 20:21-23, Jesus breathes on them and says, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, their sins are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld." This passage emphasizes the missional identity of the disciples, mirroring Christ's own mission from the Father. The act of "sending" is intrinsically linked to the reception of the Holy Spirit, signifying both the empowerment for ministry and the authority to declare forgiveness in Christ's name.

Implications for the Contemporary Church

Understanding the Great Commission through all four Gospels equips the Church today with a fuller vision:

• We proclaim a message of hope, forgiveness, and repentance.
• We make disciples, not just converts.
• We rely on the Holy Spirit’s power, not human effort alone.
• We act in the authority of the risen Christ, confident in His presence.

The modern church must not reduce the Great Commission to a slogan but embrace it as a comprehensive calling, grounded in Scripture, energized by the Spirit, and directed toward the world.

Unity in Diversity: A Holistic Understanding

While each Gospel presents the Great Commission with unique nuances and emphases, they collectively offer a holistic and profound understanding of Christ's mandate. Matthew provides the blueprint for discipleship, emphasizing authority and presence. Mark underscores the urgency of proclamation and the accompanying power. Luke highlights the message of repentance and forgiveness, rooted in prophecy and empowered by the Spirit. John reveals the very nature of the mission as a continuation of Christ's own sending, empowered by the indwelling Spirit. Together, they paint a comprehensive picture: the Great Commission is not merely a task to be accomplished but a divine invitation to participate in God's redemptive plan for the world, empowered by His presence and the Holy Spirit, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to every nation. For the contemporary church, understanding these diverse yet unified perspectives is vital for equipping believers to effectively fulfill this timeless and transformative calling.