Exegesis on the Great Commission
Major Exegesis
Key terms…………………………………….……………………………………………………………. Pg 2
Introduction to Matthew……………………………………………………………………………. Pg 4
Verse by Verse…………………………………………………………………………………………... Pg 5
Hermeneutics……………………………………………………………………………………………. Pg 9
Refferences……………………………………………………………………………………………….. Pg 10
Matthew 28:16-20
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Key term index: * Go; Although it is commonly taught that the word go is the most important work in this passage although it would be more accurate to say that make is more important. It is likely that the Greek phrase would’ve said; “while you are going, make disciples.” Why is this important? Because it is wrong to say that all Christians are to go into cross-cultural mission, and also that the great commission is only targeted to those going into full time mission or overseas mission. The great commission applies to everyone, we should have the same sense of purpose if we stay in our hometown as if we were to do mission overseas. * Make disciples; By Jesus calling us to ‘make disciples’ he is not saying go out and see how many people you can convert but what this means is, that we are to spend time teaching people Jesus’ ways, about who he is and how we should live our lives day-to-day in light of him so that they can do the same. Jesus spent 3 years with his disciples before saying that they were ready to go out into the world. As Christians we need to put time into each new convert as apposed to simply moving on and trying to
Key terms…………………………………….……………………………………………………………. Pg 2
Introduction to Matthew……………………………………………………………………………. Pg 4
Verse by Verse…………………………………………………………………………………………... Pg 5
Hermeneutics……………………………………………………………………………………………. Pg 9
Refferences……………………………………………………………………………………………….. Pg 10
Matthew 28:16-20
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Key term index: * Go; Although it is commonly taught that the word go is the most important work in this passage although it would be more accurate to say that make is more important. It is likely that the Greek phrase would’ve said; “while you are going, make disciples.” Why is this important? Because it is wrong to say that all Christians are to go into cross-cultural mission, and also that the great commission is only targeted to those going into full time mission or overseas mission. The great commission applies to everyone, we should have the same sense of purpose if we stay in our hometown as if we were to do mission overseas. * Make disciples; By Jesus calling us to ‘make disciples’ he is not saying go out and see how many people you can convert but what this means is, that we are to spend time teaching people Jesus’ ways, about who he is and how we should live our lives day-to-day in light of him so that they can do the same. Jesus spent 3 years with his disciples before saying that they were ready to go out into the world. As Christians we need to put time into each new convert as apposed to simply moving on and trying to
Bibliography: - The Message of Matthew, Michael Green, Inter-varsity press - How to Read the Bible for all it’s Worth, Gordon D. Fee, Douglas Stuart, Zondervan - The New American Commentary, Craig L. Blomberg, B&H publishing group. - http://carm.org/christianity/miscellaneous-topics/crucifixion-jesus - http://www.gotquestions.org/blood-water-Jesus.html - http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-study/jesus-life/israel_in_the_time_of_christ.htm - Dr Paul B Coulter, Jan 2003, The Great Commission - http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4352&t