Matthew 28:19 Meaning: The original Greek points to "making disciples" rather than simply "t…

Matthew 28:19

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,

English Standard Version (ESV)

The original Greek points to "making disciples" rather than simply "teaching," emphasizing a transformational process of bringing people into relationship with Christ. Furthermore, being baptized "into the name" signifies a profound union and devotion, not just a ritual, appropriating God's very being as revealed in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

What Matthew 28:19 means

Just after Jesus' resurrection, he meets with his disciples on a mountain in Galilee as he had promised. It's here, amidst some lingering doubt from a few, that Jesus declares his full authority and commissions his followers with the Great Commission. This climactic encounter sets the stage for the disciples' mission to spread the gospel to the entire world.

Making Disciples, Not Just Converts

Jesus’ command isn't just about spreading a message, but about forming a whole new way of life. What does it truly mean to 'make disciples'?

The Greek word used here, 'matheteusate,' is rich with meaning. It doesn't just mean to teach or to convert, but to 'make a disciple' or 'proselyte.' This implies a comprehensive process of bringing someone into a relationship of learning and following.

Beyond Information

It's about relationship: A disciple follows a teacher, not just learning facts but adopting a lifestyle. Jesus is calling his followers to immerse people into His way of life.
It involves commitment: Making disciples means guiding people to a point of commitment where they are willing to learn and obey everything Jesus commanded, as stated later in verse 20.
It's a process: This isn't a one-time event but a continuous journey of growth and transformation within the community of faith.

Baptism: Union with the Trinity

Baptism is more than a ritual; it's a profound declaration of belonging. What does it mean to be 'baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit'?

The command to baptize 'in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit' is deeply significant. The preposition 'into' (as translated in some versions) signifies a union and immersion into the very being and authority of the Triune God.

A Triune Declaration

Into God's Being: Baptism signifies being brought into a relationship with God the Father (our Creator and Sustainer), God the Son (Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Lord), and God the Holy Spirit (our Sanctifier and Comforter).
A Profound Commitment: It's a public pledge of dependence on, and devotion to, all three persons of the Trinity. It acknowledges their distinct roles and their unified divine essence.
Proof of Divinity: The inclusion of all three names in the singular 'name' is a powerful affirmation of the Trinity – three distinct persons, yet one God. This rite would be meaningless if Jesus or the Spirit were mere creatures or attributes.

Understand the original words

Original language

make disciplesμαθητεύω

mathēteuō · Greek Verb

A command to go forth and incorporate people into the community of faith by teaching them to follow Jesus, effectively making them His devoted learners and imitators.

nationsἔθνος

ethnos · Greek Noun

Ethnic groups, peoples, or the Gentile world; it refers to the entirety of humanity outside of Israel, signifying the universal scope of the Gospel message.

baptizingβαπτίζω

baptizō · Greek Verb

An outward rite of initiation into the Christian faith, signifying the believer's identification with Christ’s death and resurrection and their entrance into the community of the Triune God.

nameὄνομα

onoma · Greek Noun

The standard, reputation, or character of a person; to act 'in the name of' means to act by someone's authority, representing their identity and will.

Historical context

Written: Likely between 50-65 AD
Author: Matthew the Apostle, traditionally understood
Location: Galilee, Israel
Genre: Gospel; features include narrative and extensive use of direct discourse, particularly Jesus' teachings.

Historical background

This command was given shortly after Jesus' resurrection, marking a pivotal shift from His earthly ministry focused on Israel to a global mission for all nations. The historical context shows the gradual, sometimes challenging, expansion of this mission beyond Jewish people to the Gentiles.

c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus commissions his disciples
Following his resurrection, Jesus meets with his disciples, likely in Galilee, and gives them the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.
c. 30-33 AD
Early spread of the Gospel in Jerusalem
The disciples begin to fulfill the commission in Jerusalem, starting with Jewish audiences, as recorded in the early chapters of Acts.
c. 34 AD
Stephen's martyrdom and scattering of believers
The martyrdom of Stephen leads to increased persecution, causing many Jewish Christians to scatter from Jerusalem, spreading the gospel to new areas.
c. 35-40 AD
Conversion of Saul of Tarsus
Saul, a persecutor of the church, is dramatically converted and becomes the Apostle Paul, a key figure in evangelizing the Gentiles.
c. 40-50 AD
Expansion to Gentile audiences
The gospel begins to be preached more widely to Gentiles, starting with figures like Cornelius and expanding through the missionary journeys of Paul.
c. 60-62 AD
Paul's imprisonment and continued ministry
Despite imprisonment in Rome, Paul continues to write letters and influence the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, including to Gentile churches.

Key themes

01Universal Gospel commission
02Authority of the Trinity
03Making disciples through baptism
04Mission to all nations

Cross-references

Acts 1:8

This verse echoes Jesus' promise of empowerment for the disciples, directly linking their mission to the Holy Spirit's coming, much like Matthew 28:19 connects the Great Commission to Jesus' authority.

John 14:16-17

Jesus speaks of the Father sending another Advocate, the Spirit of truth, directly paralleling the Trinitarian formula in Matthew 28:19 and emphasizing the Spirit's role in guiding believers.

Romans 6:3-4

This passage explains the theological significance of baptism, linking it to dying with Christ and being raised to new life, which is the core spiritual reality represented by baptism in Jesus' name.

Colossians 1:28

Paul describes his ministry as presenting everyone mature in Christ, which aligns with the 'making disciples' aspect of Matthew 28:19, highlighting the goal of spiritual formation through teaching and the gospel.

Scholarly commentary

Matthew 28:16-20: "Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them."

But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17. And when they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 18. And Jesus approached, and spoke to them, saying, All power is given to me in heaven and on the earth. 19. Go out, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of th…

calvin

Matthew 28:19: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"

Go ye therefore,.... Into all the world; some into one place, and some into another; since his power and authority, and so now the commission he gave them, reached every where: before it was confined to Judea, but now it is extended to all the nations of the world; see Matthew 10:6 , and teach all nations; Jews and Gentiles, first the one, and then the other,…
gill

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Breakdown of Matthew 28:19

"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," — The original Greek points to "making disciples" rather than simply "teaching," emphasizing a transformational process of bringing people into relationship with Christ. Furthermore, being baptized "in…

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