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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 28:18-20

The great commission. This is the grand missionary charter. Here is more than our justification for urging on missionary work, more than our encouragement for maintaining it; here is our positive duty to evangelize the world. Let us look at the source, the object, and the encouragement of this great commission. I. ITS SOURCE . The authority and commandment of Christ. 1 . The authority of Christ. Jesus speaks these words after his resurrection. He is now to be exalted to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 28:18-20

The commission. The angel at the sepulchre directed the women to announce the resurrection of Christ to his disciples and summon them to meet him in Galilee. Jesus himself afterwards appeared to them and repeated this instruction. The eleven accordingly repaired to the appointed place, and with them probably the five hundred brethren (see 1 Corinthians 15:6 ). "Some" of this number—some of those who had not seen him, like Thomas—"doubted" of the reality of the Resurrection, until they were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 28:19

Go ye therefore ( οὖν ). The illative particle is perhaps spurious, but it is implied by what has preceded. It is because Jesus has plenary authority, and can delegate power to whom he will, that he confers the following commission. He is addressing the eleven apostles, of whom alone St. Matthew makes mention (verse 16); but as they personally could not execute the grand commission in all its extent and duration, he lays his commands upon their representatives and successors in all... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 28:19

The threefold Name. "In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Sometimes the Name of the Lord Jesus only is mentioned in the formula. Here our Lord gives one Name with three sounds. Each separate Name giving a distinct relation of the one Being to men. Our Lord did not say, "in the names," but "in the Name." However we may present the threefoldness, we must keep it manifestly consistent with the Divine unity. "The union of the three names in one formula (as in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 28:20

Teaching ( διδα ì σκοντες ) them ( i.e. all the nations) to observe all things , etc. The word for "teaching" is quite different from that used in Matthew 28:19 , and there wrongly translated. Instruction is the second necessary condition for discipleship. In the case of adults, as was said above, some teaching must precede the initiation; but this has to be supplemented subsequently in order to build up the convert in the faith and make him perfect; while infants must be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 28:20

The vision of the abiding Christ. Christ ever with us must be, in some way, effectively apprehended by us, or it will be but vague, helpless sentiment. We must be able to see him who is thus "with us always." What, then, is seeing the living Christ? I. THE WORLD 'S WAY OF SEEING CHRIST . The "world" is our Lord's term for men who are outside his special renewal, who are left to the guidance of the senses and the mind in their "feeling after God, if haply they might find... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 28:19

Go ye therefore - “Because” all power is mine, go! I can defend you. The world is placed under my control. It is redeemed. It is given me in promise by my Father, as the purchase of my death. Though you are weak, yet I am strong! Though you will encounter many troubles and dangers, yet I can defend you! Though you die, yet I live, and the work shall be accomplished!Teach all nations - The word rendered “teach,” here, is not the one that is usually so translated in the New Testament. This word... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 28:20

Lo, I am with you - That is, by my Spirit, my providence, my attending counsel and guidance. I will strengthen, assist, and direct you. This also proves that Christ is divine. If he is a mere man, or a creature, though of the highest order, how could he promise to be “with” his disciples “always,” or at all? They would be scattered far and wide. His disciples would greatly increase. If he was “with them” always, he was God; for no finite creature could thus be present with many people scattered... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 28:19

Matthew 28:19. Go ye therefore, and teach Greek, μαθητευσατε , disciple, or make disciples of, or, as Dr. Doddridge renders it, proselyte all nations. This includes the whole design of Christ’s commission. Baptizing and teaching are the two great branches of that general design: and these were to be determined by the circumstances of things; which made it necessary, in baptizing adult Jews or heathen, to teach them before they were baptized; in disciplining their children, to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 28:20

Matthew 28:20. Teaching them to observe all things, &c. Here we have, 1st, The duty of the apostles and ministers of Christ, which is, to teach his disciples to observe all things that he has commanded; that is, they must instruct them in all the doctrines and precepts taught by Christ, and inculcate upon them the necessity of understanding and believing the former, and obeying the latter; and must assist them in applying Christ’s general commands to particular cases. They must... read more

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