Matthew 28:16–20 — The Great Commission

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “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.”

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

What "Go and Make Disciples of All Nations" Means

These are the last recorded words of Jesus to his disciples before he ascended, and they carry the weight of a final charge. Standing on a mountain in Galilee, the risen Christ claims all authority in heaven and on earth — and on the strength of that authority, he sends his followers out. The command is not merely to win converts but to make disciples: to baptize, to teach, and to walk with people until they learn to obey everything Jesus commanded.

The phrase "all nations" means every people group on earth, not just every country. In the first century that was a staggering scope: a small band of disciples told to carry the gospel to peoples they had never met, in languages they did not speak. Yet Jesus does not send them alone. The commission ends with a promise — "I am with you always, to the very end of the age" — that has sustained the church's mission ever since.

Two thousand years later the task is unfinished. Thousands of people groups still have little or no access to the good news. The Great Commission is still open, and it still belongs to ordinary believers — not only to those who go, but to those who send.

Most Christians Live Out Matthew 28 by Sending, Not Going

Not everyone is called to move overseas — but everyone is called to be part of the sending. Behind every missionary carrying the gospel to the nations is a team of people praying, encouraging, and giving so that the work can continue. When you help send a worker, you share in the same commission and the same reward.