What Is the Great Commission? Matthew 28:18–20 Explained
Jesus' command in Matthew 28:18–20, explained: what each part means, why it is for every Christian, and five ways to live it this week.
Key takeaways
- The Great Commission is Jesus' command in Matthew 28:18–20 to make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them, with His promise to be with us always.
- It is for every Christian, not only missionaries; most of it happens with people already in your life.
- Live it this week: pray for three names, learn the gospel in four sentences, invite one person, and do not go alone.
The short answer: the Great Commission is the command Jesus gave His followers after His resurrection, recorded in Matthew 28:18–20: to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything He commanded, with His promise to be with them always. It is not a special assignment for missionaries. It is the ordinary job description of every Christian.
What Does Matthew 28:18–20 Say?
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
That is Matthew 28:18–20, ESV. It is the last thing Jesus says in Matthew's Gospel, and it is why everything else in this ministry exists, from Friday nights on the streets of Hamilton to Jesus Festival in the park.
What Does Each Part Mean?
- "All authority … has been given to me." The command rests on who Jesus is. We do not go on our own authority or our own courage.
- "Go." In the original Greek, the main command is "make disciples"; "go" is the way it happens as you move through life. It covers going across the world and going across the street.
- "Make disciples." Not converts, not crowds. Disciples are people who follow Jesus and keep learning from Him. That takes time and relationship, which is why follow-up matters as much as the first conversation.
- "Of all nations." The word points to peoples, not just countries. No group is outside the invitation.
- "Baptizing them." A public step of belonging to Jesus and His church.
- "Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." Obedience, not just information. The goal is a changed life.
- "I am with you always." The command ends with a promise. You never do this alone.
Is the Great Commission for Every Christian?
Yes. Jesus spoke to the disciples in front of Him, and the command includes teaching new disciples "all that I have commanded you", which includes this command. Every disciple is meant to make disciples. Acts 1:8 says the same thing in another way: "you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (ESV). Start where you live, and do not stop there.
It does not mean everyone preaches on a stage. It means everyone has people to love, a story to tell, and a next step to offer. The people already in your life are a good place to start; that is what an oikos means.
What Is the Difference Between the Great Commission and the Great Commandment?
The Great Commandment is to love God with everything and love your neighbour as yourself (Matthew 22:37–39). The Great Commission is to make disciples. They belong together. Love without the gospel leaves people without hope. The gospel without love does not sound like Jesus. Do both.
Where Else Does the Bible Give the Great Commission?
- Mark 16:15: "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation" (ESV).
- Luke 24:46–48: repentance and forgiveness of sins proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
- John 20:21: "As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you" (ESV).
- Acts 1:8: power from the Holy Spirit to be witnesses, near and far.
How Can You Live the Great Commission This Week?
- Write down three names. People you already know who are far from God. Pray for them by name every day this week.
- Pray for your city before you go out. A simple way to start is praying for your city before you go.
- Learn the gospel in four sentences. So you are ready when someone asks. Here is the gospel in four sentences.
- Invite one person to one thing. A meal, a church service, a Friday night. One clear invitation: invite them once.
- Do not go alone. Find or start an outreach group near you through Evangelize.World, and use the Friday Night Playbook for the whole night in order.
Common Questions
What is the Great Commission in simple terms? It is Jesus' command to His followers to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey Him, with His promise to be with them always (Matthew 28:18–20).
Where is the Great Commission in the Bible? Matthew 28:18–20 is the best-known version. It also appears in Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46–48, John 20:21 and Acts 1:8.
Is the Great Commission only for pastors and missionaries? No. It is for every follower of Jesus. Most of it happens in ordinary places, with people you already know.
What is the difference between evangelism and the Great Commission? Evangelism is sharing the good news. The Great Commission includes that and keeps going: baptizing and teaching people to follow Jesus for life.
Go. Make disciples. He is with you.
Scripture behind this post
Matthew 28:19–20
“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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Mark 16:15
“And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."”
Romans 10:14–15
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"”
Matthew 9:37–38
“Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."”
Do this next
Take the whole night with you
The Great Commission happens one conversation at a time. The Friday Night Playbook puts every step in order, from praying in the car to the follow-up text.
Open the playbook
