In die Skriflig / In Luce Verbi

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Page 1 of 7 Original Research

Globalisation of missions: An exegesis on

the Great Commission (Mt 28:18–20)

Author: This article is an exegesis on the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18–20 by using a grammatical
Mookgo S. Kgatle1
historical approach. A grammatical historical approach on Matthew 28:18–20 demonstrates
Affiliation: that Jesus’ authority in heaven and on earth is a global authority. Furthermore, the
1
Department of Christian commissioning of Jesus’ disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptise them in the
Spirituality, Church History name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit and teach them to observe all things that Jesus
and Missiology, University of
has commanded them, is a call to global mission. When Jesus promised the disciples that
South Africa, South Africa
he would be always with them, he assured them of a global victory. This will be achieved by
Corresponding author: looking at the history of interpretation of Matthew 28:18–20. The exegesis of this passage
Mookgo Kgatle, is explored in detail. The conclusion is that the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18–20 is a
[email protected]
call to global mission.
Dates:
Received: 26 Dec. 2017
Accepted: 18 Apr. 2018
Published: 11 July 2018
Introduction
The Great Commission1 in Matthew 28:18–202 is an instruction to Jesus’ disciples to make disciples
How to cite this article: of all nations, baptise and teach them to observe all things that Jesus has taught them. Jesus
Kgatle, M.S., 2018,
promises that he will be with them until the end. There is an enormous volume of literature in
‘Globalisation of missions:
An exegesis on the Great many languages dealing with the Great Commission: thousands of books, monographs, essays
Commission (Mt 28:18–20)’, and articles. Every year some 10 000 new bibliographical items on evangelisation are added. The
In die Skriflig 52(1), a2346. vast majority expounds and analyses the subject from the standpoint of normative Christian
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theology: what the Bible says, what Christian mission requires and how it should be implemented –
v52i1.2346
in short, what Christians ought to do about it and how Christians ought to obey Christ’s Great
Copyright: Commission in 28:18–20 (Fanning 2011:1).What is new in this article, is that the exegesis of the text
© 2018. The Authors. helps us to arrive at the conclusion that this passage is about global missions.
Licensee: AOSIS. This work
is licensed under the
Creative Commons The article will demonstrate through a grammatical historical approach that Jesus’ authority in
Attribution License. heaven and on earth is a global authority. Furthermore, the commissioning of Jesus’ disciples to
go and make disciples of all the nations, baptise them in the name of the Father, the Son and the
Holy Spirit and teach them to observe all things that Jesus has commanded them, is a call to global
mission. Lastly, when Jesus promised the disciples that he will always be with them, he assured
them of a global victory. This will be achieved by looking at the history of interpretation and the
exegesis of 28:16–20. The conclusion here is that the Great Commission in this passage is a call to
global missions.

This article discusses the major themes. Jesus says that all authority in heaven and on earth is
given to him. The word authority will be analysed to understand what kind of authority is
Jesus talking about here and why was it important for him to talk about authority before the
commissioning of the disciples. The article explores the meaning of teaching that Jesus has already
commanded and the fact that Jesus promised to be always with them until the end.

The theological context of Matthew 28:18–20

The Great Commission in 28:18–20 is about the commandment that Jesus gave to his disciples to
make disciples of all nations and teach them all things that Jesus has commanded. According to
Chung (2015:276) this passage plays a crucial role as a motif in almost every Christian gathering,
causing people to recall the significance of mission and evangelism. In fact, this passage functions
as a support – even a command – allowing Christians to legitimise almost every kind of missionary
Read online: work in order to compel non-Christians to become disciples of Jesus. In many cases throughout
Scan this QR
code with your 1.In Christianity, the Great Commission is the instruction of the resurrected Jesus Christ to his disciples to spread his teachings to all the
smart phone or nations of the world. The most famous version of the Great Commission is in Matthew 28:18–20, where on a mountain in Galilee Jesus
mobile device calls on his followers to baptise all nations in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
to read online.
2.All further references to Matthew 28:18-20 will be indicated only by chapter or verses or refer to as ‘this passage’.

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 Page 2 of 7 Original Research

the history of mission, Christians, in general, and missionaries, but also summarises the message of the first gospel itself.
in particular, have focused on the task of fulfilling the The heading, Great Commission, is inappropriate, because
commission as worded to Jesus’ disciples without serious the passage is mainly an epiphany or exaltation story directed
consideration for how the commission is carried out in a to the new status of the risen One (Osborne 1976:73).
given space and time.
Witherington (2006:531) argues that, while the Great
It has been recognised by Finkbeiner (1991:16) that the closing Commission reiterates some of the gospel’s major themes
pericope (28:18–20) is fully intended to be the climax towards and draws together a number of threads in the text, it cannot
which the entire gospel moves. By tying together some of really be called the key to the interpretation of Matthew.
Matthew’s most dominant themes, these verses give them a France (2007:1108–1109) concedes that it is possible to read
new depth that reaches back and sheds light on the entire the texts theologically from the Great Commission to
gospel. Matthew’s Gospel ends with the expectation of illuminate earlier parts of the gospel, but he argues that,
continued mission and teaching. The five preceding sections both in literary terms and aesthetically, it is preferable to
always conclude with a block of Jesus’ teaching (Mt 3:1–26:5), read the story chronologically – from beginning to end – to
but the passion and resurrection of Jesus ends with a appreciate the fully unfolding revelation of the Son of God
commission to his disciples to carry on with that same which reaches its climax in the final pericope.
ministry in the light of the cross, the empty tomb, and the
triumphant vindication and exaltation of the risen Lord. Nonetheless, the Great Commission is important in
understanding the whole Gospel of Matthew. The Great
Matthew 28:18–20 is a charge given by Jesus to his disciples Commission is Matthew’s ‘table of contents’ located at
in order that they may continually reproduce themselves for the end. The beginning and the end are more significant
as long as Christ desires. Matthew uses five lines to present than the other Gospels (Lee & Viljoen 2010:1). Not only is
this scenario. He first covers the characters and setting, then 28:18–20 an integral part of the entire gospel, but indeed the
he moves on to the circumstances. He gives them motivation evangelist intended it as a summary and an endorsement of
for their action, commands them what to do and how to do it, the gospel. No other book in the entire scripture comes to
and finally, closes with a promise that only God can make such a satisfactory conclusion as Matthew does with Jesus’
(Phelps 2011:17). Jesus therefore commissions the disciples command to preserve his words and make disciples through
to go out and make disciples of all the nations by creating baptism and his promise to be with the church until the
communities of obedience among the nations. ‘Mission is current epoch has ended.3 The evangelist never informs his
replicated discipleship, learned through ethical obedience readers whether the apostles actually followed the command
and passed on through teaching’ (White & Assimeng 2017:5). to make disciples of the Gentiles (Scaer 1991:246).

This passage is an adequate model for a church missions The history of interpretation of this passage demonstrates
programme in setting a vision, establishing purpose and that many scholars (Donaldson 1985; Osborne 1976; Sim 2014)
making decisions. It asserts that the model of making view the Great Commission as a summary. Although others
disciples can integrate the inseparable entities of evangelism (France 2007; Witherington 2006) argue against the Great
and social justice in the mission of the church, while at the
Commission as a summary of the gospel, they at least
same time, respecting the distinction between them. While
acknowledge that it is a major theme of the gospel. What is
social justice is never misplaced in Christian mission, it can
important for this article is an exegesis of the text to understand
never replace the proclamation of the gospel (Stromsmoe
the original meaning. Major Greek words and verbs will be
2011:6). The Great Commission is a charge to proclaim the
analysed in order to understand the text. The purpose is to
gospel which involves preaching the good news, witnessing
demonstrate that the call of Great Commission is a call to
from a personal experience and relationship with God,
global missions.
effectively loving one’s neighbour by the power of the Holy
Spirit, and journeying through the process of discipleship
and growth into becoming a church (Jambrek 2016:155). Exegesis of Matthew 28:18–20
All authority
Matthew 28:18–20 must be viewed as the gospel’s climax,
18 καὶ προσελθὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς λέγων· Ἐδόθη μοι
but over and above this, it needs to be appreciated that it
πᾶσα ἐξουσία ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς·[18 And Jesus came and
looks more towards the future than back to the past. It is in
spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in
other words, a bridging passage that concludes Matthew’s
heaven and on earth’.]
story of the ‘historical Jesus’ and points the reader to a new
era of universal mission for the church which conducts
In this passage, the one who spoke the commission is the one
its endeavours under the protection of the risen Christ
who had been given ‘all authority’ (v. 18) to do so. The
(Sim 2014:2). This passage is a careful summary of the
authority of Christ is not a new theme in this gospel (see e.g.
key themes of the gospel which tie together Matthew’s
Mt 7:29; 10:1, 7–8; 11:27; 22:43–44; 24:35). His power to defeat
Christology, ecclesiology and salvation history (Donaldson
1985:170). Matthew 28:18–20 not only concludes the 3.Although this might be true, it must be noted that some scholars argue that the long
ending of Mark’s Gospel rivals Matthew’s Gospel. Even if the long ending does not
resurrection narrative and the book of Matthew as a whole, belong in Mark’s Gospel, some contend for it.

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the devil (Mt 4:1–11), to teach like no other (7:28–29), to calm to the claim of authority through the use of the conjunction
nature (8:23–27), to forgive sin (9:1–8) and to heal the sick οὖν4 (Lee & Viljoen 2010:4). The gospel points to Jesus as the
(9:27–31) had already been established (Lawless 2011:17). final, ultimate and complete revelation of God, but this
Authority refers to the power of deity assumed by him at his arrangement is then punctuated by Jesus’ own words: ‘All
resurrection and ascension. Authority in this text is authority is given to Me in heaven and earth’. This passage
transferred to human beings, because, regarding his divine can, with good reason, refer to Jesus in almost Pauline terms
nature, ‘all power’ has been always his. On the other hand, it as the one in whom heaven and earth have their completion –
may simply be an assertion of his ‘eternal power and the new Adam in which God establishes his new creation
Godhead’ as ‘Son of Man’. It was to prepare the disciples to (Col 1:15–16). God establishes Christ as the new Adam, the
expect his power to be with them in their difficulties and man from heaven (1 Cor 15:45) in whom his new humanity is
weakness as they were to make disciples of the nations joined together – not by blood, but by the proclamation of the
(Culver 1968:117). gospel, baptism and faith (Scaer 1991:253).

Despite (or perhaps because of) the hesitation of the eleven, In verse 18, Jesus is a man with authority. He received this
Jesus approaches them. Before the commission in verse 19, authority from God the Father and in this passage Jesus is
he assures them of his sovereignty over heaven and earth. transferring the power to his disciples so that they can fulfil
Elsewhere in Matthew Jesus claims the authority to forgive the Great Commission. This authority, according to Jesus,
sins (9:6) and that all things have been given to him by precedes the Great Commission, because the process of
the Father (11:27). Therefore, the claim here only heightens making disciples of all nations is a divine assignment that the
the reader’s understanding of Jesus’ authority. Jesus disciples cannot fulfil by their own power. What is more
gives a new dimension to the implications of his authority important for this article is that this authority is given in
(Freeman 1997:16). heaven and on earth. It is a universal authority. Jesus is
assuring his disciples that there is no other power in heaven
Christ addresses his disciples – some of whom are hesitant or on earth than the power that the Father has given him.
to worship him – and clearly expresses his exalted position
of authority. Matthew 28:18b expresses Jesus’ consciousness
of full authority with a view to wielding that authority in
All nations
the command that follows (Chung 2015:283). ‘Jesus claims 19 πορευθέντες οὖν μαθητεύσατε πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, βαπτίζοντες
universal authority. It is on the basis of this mediatorial αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου
authority, in heaven and on earth, that the Saviour issues πνεύματος, [19a Go therefore (οὖν) and make disciples of all
his commission to his followers’ (Thomas 2000:44). Just as the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of
Jesus counted on the authority of his Father to control the the Son and of the Holy Spirit,]
circumstances and resources to enable him to carry out his
mission, he expects his disciples to count on his authority The phrase all the nations (πάντα τὰ ἔθνη) points to the
to fulfil and obey all his commands as he did in obedience to unrestricted nature of mission. The Great Commission’s
the Father’s will. The declaration means that he will exercise phrase πάντα τὰ ἔθνη must include the Jews, because it
his full ‘authority in heaven and earth’ in order to accomplish includes the qualifying adjective πάντα [all] as narrative of
his purpose in the world and in and through their lives the sheep and goats. In fact, mission to the Jews had already
(Fanning 2011:5). been commanded (Mt 10:6) and is now taken for granted
(25:32). Furthermore, it would be absurd to imagine that a
The indicative statement that introduces the Great Commission mission mandate given from a Jew to Jewish disciples would
(‘all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me’) exclude Jews, especially when they have already been
alerts us to the reality that Jesus is not only a teacher – he is the included (Mt 10:6; Hertig 2001:347).
Lord. This reinforces the conclusion that the pattern of disciple
making is not to be a human relationship, but one that faithfully Some understand the term ἔθνη as referring only to Gentiles –
points to Christ. In other words, we do not make disciples that an interpretation likely built on a belief that God had
follow us, but rather, with God’s grace and help, we make ultimately rejected the Jews who had first rejected him
disciples that follow Jesus (Stromsmoe 2011:37). Jesus indicates (Lawless 2011:19). Others view ‘nations’ as ‘peoples’ or
that the resurrection was his enthronement, the beginning of ‘ethnic groups’. Gentiles and Jews alike would thus have
his kingly reign, when he says, ‘All authority in heaven and on been included in this call. The gospel would be for all the
earth has been given to me’. Authority, indicating Matthew’s world – not only for the lost sheep of Israel (Mt 10:6; Lawless
Christological theme, is translated from the Greek word 2011:19). The word nations translates the word ἔθνη from
ἐξουσία [right or power]. By proclaiming himself as the highest which we have the English word ethnic. Today we use the
and only authority, Jesus himself stands behind the command expression ethnic people group to define the many ethno-
of verse 19 (Hertig 2001:345). linguistic distinct groups of people that consider themselves

4.οὖν is apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly or (conjunctionally)

The immediate literary context of the command to make accordingly and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore,
disciples is the risen Jesus’ claim of authority over heaven verily, wherefore. It is a conjunction indicating that something necessarily follows
from another. It is used in drawing a conclusion and in logically connecting sentences
and earth. The command to make disciples is closely related together (see Mounce & Mounce 2008).

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different from other people because of their unique language, commands the making of disciples of individuals from all
culture and beliefs. Churches today largely ignore or are ethnic groups, including Judaism (Freeman 1997:18). The
ignorant of these groups of people. Most prayer lists in mandate is that Christians have to proclaim the good news to
churches never include the names of any unreached group of all nations and thus fulfil the commission given by Christ in
people (Fanning 2011:12). verse 19 (Tucker & Woodbridge 2012:2).

Most scholars, according to Sim (2014:3), accept the view that Jesus commissioned the disciples to a worldwide mission
πάντα τὰ ἔθνη should be translated as ‘all the nations’ which of teaching which was parallel and in contrast to Rome’s
includes both the Jews and the Gentiles. On this reading of desire for worldwide societal control (Cronshaw 2016:111).
the text, the original mission to the Jews is now expanded to In this way of thinking, the Trinity, which is the centrality
include the Gentiles. It emphasises the importance of Jesus’ of the Christological identity in Christian doctrine, is
focus on all nations. This marks a shift from Jesus as a Jewish marginalised by the beneficial work of the Son for human
rabbi to Jesus as the way to redeem the entire world. If the beings on earth, just as the centrality of the power relation
disciples can change the people of all nations, the world can between different groups of people is relativised by the
be redeemed (Hiebert 1992:343). welfare of all human beings. This benefit of welfare would
then explain why the mission command contains an injunction
Viljoen (2006:259) says that the horizon of Matthew is to baptise all nations and to bring new believers in through
broadened to include Gentiles along with Jews. The Matthean a confirmation of the triune God working cohesively
community welcomed and expected converts from all nations. (Chung 2015:286).
This created much tension with the synagogue where Jews
strived to uphold their exclusiveness within a community The Great Commission is a commission to all nations as
that was overwhelmed by Hellenism. Through the continuing described by the Greek phrase πάντα τὰ ἔθνη. The commission
challenge of the Great Commission, people from all nations now includes the Gentiles as opposed to the previous
are to be made Christ’s disciples (Lee & Viljoen 2010:3). Each whereby the disciples were commanded to only go to the lost
geographic and cultural context needs to be considered, sheep of the children of Israel. It is a commission to all people
because ‘the first divine act of translation into humanity gives regardless of race, religion, colour and class. The gospel now
must be preached to the whole lost world. The gospel has
rise to a constant succession of new translations’.
expanded to other ethnic groups – not only to the Jews. The
Great Commission includes all the geographic and cultural
Franklin and Niemandt (2013:4) say that the target of the
contexts of the world.
mission charge of the Great Commission is ‘all nations’.
There was no other choice for Matthew, but πάντα τὰ ἔθνη in
order to convey the idea that the commission was aimed at All things that I have commanded you
all human beings, including Jews. Translating the phrase as 20a διδάσκοντες αὐτοὺς τηρεῖν πάντα ὅσα ἐνετειλάμην
‘all the Gentiles’ and thereby excluding the Jews from its ὑμῖν·[20a teaching them to observe all things that I have
connotation does not coincide with the risen Lord’s claim of commanded you].
universal authority. The word study favours the translation of
the phrase as ‘all nations’ rather than ‘the entire Gentiles’. The command is to ‘teach all things’, and the author records
Jesus giving a command for active evangelism somewhere
What is important and even shocking for Matthew’s Jewish in those discourses. Then the command would apply to
audience is that the new followers of Jesus are to come from believers at all times and in all places because of Christ’s
the Gentiles and that they, the descendants of the patriarchs, command in Matthew 28 (Phelps 2011:33). The final phrase of
have lost their special status (Mt 8:11–12). Jesus had given the Great Commission, ‘teaching them to obey everything
command to his disciples to go to the lost sheep of the house that I have commanded’, refers to the on-going training in all
of Israel and to avoid the Gentiles (Mt 10:56). In sharp the commands of the New Testament. The phrase to obey
distinction to this prohibition is verse 19 where the Jews, as means ‘to attend to carefully, or to guard a prisoner’. It refers
a distinct people, are not even mentioned. Disciples are to be to a lifestyle of learning, remembering and practising all the
made of the Gentiles. No longer is the mission only to the teaching commands of Jesus and the Holy Spirit throughout
Jews, or first to the Jews and then to the Greeks (Rm 1:16; Gl the New Testament (Fanning 2011:17).
3:28), but simply to the Gentiles. It is noteworthy that ethnic
is a neuter plural, and would thus be expected as the proper ‘Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you’
form in opposition to it (Scaer 1991:251). provides the content of what is to be passed on to others in
the process of discipleship. If the disciples are to teach them
Therefore, it is better to take the commission here as expanding to obey ‘everything’ Jesus has commanded, then the mission
the ‘mission’ of Matthew 10:5 to include all ethnic groups. of the disciples is to be holistic (Hertig 2001:348). Discipleship
What Matthew intends with this reading, is that the disciples involves diligent teaching of the gospel and practices that
understand that their mission is to ethnic groups and they promotes a lifestyle of becoming ever more like Jesus Christ.
must preserve the ethnic identity of each group. Group Discipleship is not limited to what you can comprehend – it
conversions can, and perhaps should be the norm. Thus, Jesus must transcend all comprehension. It is a life of strict

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adherence and obedience to Christ and his commandments. of raising up a group of Christ-followers among every
It is also a strict adherence to Christ as the object of our faith ethno-linguistic group of people on earth ‘to the end of
(White & Assimeng 2017:6). the age’ (v. 20b). This phrase is also found in Matthew
13:39–40, 49; 24:3 which refers to the end of the present age
The ‘teaching’ of verse 20 refers to the communication of the when the Son of Man returns to establish his kingdom. Thus,
total revelation which God has given in Jesus and not only the promise not only applied to these first century disciples,
the call to faith. The call to repentance (i.e. contrition and but to every disciple since then and until the end of the church
faith) is the call to be baptised. The teaching (διδάσκοντες) age (Fanning 2011:21).
goes beyond that call. This teaching does not refer to that
necessary preaching which must precede baptism, and in The Great Commission, with the task of proclaiming the
a sense, is comprehended by baptism, but rather to the gospel and making, baptising and teaching the disciples
continued exposition of the gospel in the church among those along with serving the needy, cannot be separated from the
who have become disciples through baptism. Those who are power and the presence of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Christ
made disciples remain disciples by listening to the apostolic has promised to be with those who will fulfil his commission
teaching which is nothing else than preaching the complete in all the days to the end of the world (Jambrek 2016:158). The
counsel of God (Scaer 1991:256). promise of Jesus to be present ‘always, to the very end of the
age’ indicates that his presence and mission is extended to
The disciples are commissioned to teach the new disciples to the end of human history. Therefore, the Great Commission
keep what Jesus commanded. It is Jesus’ own teaching and is an eschatological mandate given in a period between the
not the Torah that is the substance of what is to be taught. resurrection and the end of human history (cf. Mt 24:14;
Throughout Matthew, the emphasis has been on Jesus as the Hertig 2001:348).
teacher. Now the disciples are for the first time commissioned
to also teach. However, it is not just that they are to teach. They The commission ends with the promise of Jesus’ presence
are to teach the converts ‘to keep’ (τηρεῖν) that which Jesus which is similar to those Old Testament passages in which
taught. This verb adds a distinctively ethical dimension to the God promised his presence to those he commissioned. Now
teaching. Christianity is Torah-based, but it is, nevertheless, they are promised that he will be with them all the days until
inherently moral. Any proclamation of the gospel, which does the consummation of the ages. In Matthew 1:23 the name
not have this Christocentric ethic, is not the gospel as Matthew Immanuel was interpreted as ‘God (is) with us’. Now the
presents it (Freeman 1997:18). disciples are assured that, as they go in his name, he will
continue to be Immanuel to them.
The disciples are commanded to baptise those who believe
and after the baptism to orientate the believers in the way The Great Commission ends with the promise that Jesus will
that they should live here on earth as the children of God. be with his disciples until the end of the ages. Jesus is assuring
This commandment is based on the whole gospel of Jesus his disciples that the fact that he is ascending to heaven to be
without selecting some facts. It means the gospel of Jesus, as at the right hand of his Father does not mean he is leaving
presented in the Great Commission, is a holistic gospel. It has them. It is not only the promise to the disciples, but also to
an ability to cover various areas of life as Jesus taught his the believers that will be born in the time to come. The Great
disciples. The Great Commission is a command to teach the Commission is timeless and infinite, because it is to be valid
believers the whole truth without compromise; it is teaching until the end of the ages. It is a commission beyond human
without fear and favour. history.

I am with you always Globalisation of mission

20 καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ μεθʼ ὑμῶν εἰμι πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἕως τῆς συντελείας Before mission is globalised there is a need to localise it.
τοῦ αἰῶνος. [20b and behold, I am with you always, even to Mission cannot be globally powerful if it is not locally
the end of the age. Amen]. relevant. Therefore, globalisation of mission involves four
distinct qualities: Firstly, the creation of new and multiplication
The promise of Jesus at the end of Matthew, ‘I am with you of existing social networks and activities that increasingly
always, even to the end of the ages’ (v. 20), was much more overcome traditional political, economic, cultural and
than a perfunctory closing to a call statement. It was an geographical boundaries. Secondly, globalisation involves
announcement of victory even in the midst of persecution. In the expansion and stretching of social relations, activities
all of these dangerous situations, the disciples would need to and interdependence. Thirdly, globalisation involves the
trust the bookend truths of Matthew’s Gospel: the virgin- intensification and acceleration of social exchanges and
born redeemer, named ‘God with us’ (1:27) would be with activities. Lastly, globalisation involves the subjective plane
them to the end (28:20; Lawless 2011:23). of human consciousness (Johnson 2010:165).

This last promise in Matthew extends beyond the life span It was through the modern missionary movement that
of the disciples to every believer that commits to the task Christianity became a worldwide phenomenon, and in that

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process, Christianity came to acquire the image of a western

religion. The subsequent globalisation of the image of
Conclusion
western Christianity poses a problem for non-western The exegesis on the Great Commission in 28:16–20 has helped
Christianity. Although we talk about a post-Christian West us to arrive at the following conclusions. Jesus’ authority in
and a post-western Christianity, the prevailing forms of heaven and on earth is a global authority. The commissioning
Christianity in most parts of the non-western world are still of Jesus’ disciples to go and make disciples of all the nations,
dominated by western influences (Johnson & Ross 2009:104). baptise them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy
This is wrong, because Christian mission is not about the Spirit, and teach them to observe all things that Jesus has
promotion of one culture, but the extension of the global commanded them, is a call to global mission. Lastly, when
kingdom of God. Jesus promised the disciples that he will always be with them,
he assured them of a global victory. The main conclusion here
The Great Commission in 28:18–20 is a global mission, is that the Great Commission in this passage is a call to global
because in it, Jesus speaks about the authority in heaven missions.
and on earth. Jesus is not only the teacher of the word, but
he is Lord. Jesus has universal authority that he received Acknowledgements
from his father which he then transfers to his disciples. This Competing interests
authority also speaks volume to the defeat of the devil and
The author declare that he has no financial or personal
his demonic forces. Jesus has authority over sicknesses,
relationships which may have inappropriately influenced
sin and other ailments. After his resurrection, Jesus has
him in writing this article.
authority over death. It means that no power can hinder the
propagation of the gospel. Jesus is assuring his disciples
that no demon in hell can stop them from preaching the References
gospel. Chung, Y., 2015, ‘A postcolonial reading of the Great Commission (Matt 28:16–20)
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