Matthew 28:16-20 Commissioning of the Disciples (May 8, 2005)

Observation:

This is the ending of the gospel of Matthew, and the way an author ends his work tells us a lot about his intended key message. The text is divided into three parts:

a. The eleven goes to a designated mountain in Galilee (28:16)

b. The apostles encounter Jesus – they see and worship Him (28:17-18)

c. Jesus gives them their mission, and reassures them (28:19-20a)

Interpretation:

a. Galilee – the place where Jesus started and did most of his teaching, preaching and healing is the same place where Jesus commissions his disciples to continue His work. Significant in that the commissioning is NOT done in Jerusalem, to distance the commandments of Jesus from the old Law, and to stress the universality of the Kingdom of God (not just for the Jews). The meeting in Galilee was referred to in Mt 26:32, 28:7, and 28:10.

b. Mountain – where significant episodes in Matthew’s gospel take place, as in the third temptation (Mt 4:8), the teaching of the Beatitudes (Mt 5:1), where Jesus prayed before the multiplication of the loaves (Mt 14:23), where the second multiplication takes place (Mt 15:29), the transfiguration (Mt 17:1), and where Jesus taught his disciples about the end times, (Mt 24:3); or a total seven scenes including the great commissioning. (This compares with five and four mountain scenes in Mark and Luke, respectively).

However, there is no earlier reference as to which mountain "Jesus had ordered them" to go. The inclusion of this phrase may be an attempt to further emphasize the significance of this particular mountain, wherever it is. Other scholars however deduce that this could be the mountain where the transfiguration took place.

c. They worshipped – Worship of Jesus after the Resurrection parallels the worship of Jesus when He was born – it is both in the beginning and end of the gospel. It suggests that the story is now complete. That they worship Jesus (which Jesus has never asked the disciples to do) suggest that they must have seen something dazzling.

d. But they doubted – Greek word used is distazo – meaning uncertain as to which way to take – NOT the absence of faith. Some versions translate this phrase to “but some doubted” although scholars say that this was not meant to single out certain disciples.

e. Go and make disciples – The command is no longer to be silent, but to proclaim. The disciples are commanded to make others like themselves. For Matthew, to be a disciple “is renunciation of all earthly ambition, the denial of self, the bearing of the cross, the following of Christ, the willingness to be a servant to all, the commitment to doing the will of the heavenly Father.”

f. All nations – in plural form, referring to all countries other than Israel. In the Bible, the word “nation” refers to the Gentiles. In the Old Testament, the nations were considered as godless and corrupt, now they are the target of the apostles’ commission. This phrase also supersedes Mt 10:5 (“Do not go into pagan territory.”) In this context, the conversion of non-Jews is not only authorized, but is part of Jesus command.

g. Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you – “To observe” suggests that the teaching should lead to behavioral change and not simply head knowledge; it should be moral and ethical rather than just doctrinal. What Jesus has commanded refers to Jesus discourses, which Matthew has organized precisely to serve as guidelines to the early Christian communities.

h. I am with you always – an Old Testament key phrase, and usually said to assuage fear (“Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”) It also alludes to Mt 1:23 (“Emmanuel”) and 18:20 (“where two or three are gathered…”). Thus, Jesus’ promise to be present always with the apostles mirrors Yahweh’s presence in the history of the Jewish people. It is also a presence to assure them, because Jesus recognizes their doubts.

Key Points:

Matthew attempts to make the last 5 verses a fitting climax to his gospel.. He combines key phrases to underscore his key theological points:

1. Jesus has the authority (“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me”) to issue his commission (“Go therefore…”)

2. Jesus will continue to be with them, just as God was present with Israel (“I am with you always,” echoing the OT formula of Yahweh) during their times of doubts and difficulties (“they worshipped, but they doubted”)

3. Jerusalem is no longer the center (“went to Galilee”) and Israel is no longer just the chosen people (“all nations”).

4. Jesus gives an awesome mission, but at the same time provides assurance of God’s continuing presence.

5. The source of authority is Jesus and His teachings, and not the Law of Moses,

6. These teachings should be spread across all nations and not just Israel

7. Membership is through baptism (in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and not through Judaic rituals.

Generalization

1. The call to make disciples is not a request or invitation, it is an unconditional command. Jesus did not ask for volunteers, he demanded radical obedience – to repent of our worldliness, reorient our priorities and focus on following Him. When Jesus called his first disciples, He did not say “Would you like to join me?” He said, “Come, follow me.” Thus, saying “no” is tantamount to rejecting this command.
   
   
2. Jesus’ call is to everyone. This is implied from His choice of ordinary folk as His first disciples (seven of the twelve disciples were fishermen) and explicit in His command “to make disciples of all nations.”
   
   
3. “Making disciples” involves changing behavior, not teaching doctrine. Jesus commanded to “teach them to observe all that I have commanded” and not to simply know his commandments.

Application:

I have come into contact with many non-Catholic Christian groups and the two things that always strike me are: firstly, how friendly they are; secondly, how eager they are to make you a part of their church. When I attended the Haggai Leadership Seminar in 2003, I had a Christian roommate, and by the time our one-month leadership program was over, he was close to convincing me to be a baptized born-again Christian. Of course, I politely turned down the idea, but I continue to marvel at the courage and eagerness by which he obeyed Jesus command to make disciples of all nations.

Discussion Questions:

1. What have you done to bring more members to be part of our Apostolate? Or to join our Prayer Meetings and other Apostolate activities. If you feel that “you have found the pearl of great price,” how eager have you been in sharing this treasure with others?

2. What is hindering you from sharing the good news and from “making disciples of all nations?”

3. When others see you and your behavior, are they encouraged to be part of the Apostolate? Do you live according to our Vision statement: "In EVERYTHING we do, others will see God shining through us, and would want to become part of us."

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