Matthew 28:18-20 is Jesus’ final recorded charge to his disciples, in which he claims full authority and sends them to make disciples of every nation. The passage explains why the mission is possible and what it looks like: baptism, teaching, and the promise of his ongoing presence. It is set on a mountain in Galilee after the resurrection, and it closes the Gospel of Matthew.
18 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 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 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28:18-20 (WEB)
Matthew 28:18-20 Summary
Jesus begins by stating a fact about his position: all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him. Because that authority is his, he commands his followers to go out and make disciples across all nations. The task has three parts: baptizing new believers in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to keep everything Jesus commanded.
The passage then ends with a promise rather than a rule. Jesus says he is with his people always, until the end of the age. The command is not something the disciples carry out alone, and the story of Matthew’s Gospel leaves them with that assurance as they begin the work.
Context of Matthew 28:18-20
Matthew’s Gospel is traditionally attributed to the apostle Matthew, a former tax collector, and it was written for a community with a strong Jewish background. The Gospel repeatedly shows Jesus as the promised king and teacher, so its ending carries a royal and teaching tone. The verses just before this passage describe the guards being bribed to spread a false story about the empty tomb, which sets up the contrast with a commission that is grounded in the truth of the resurrection.
The surrounding verses also note that some of the disciples doubted even as they worshiped. Matthew does not hide that mixed response. Jesus approaches these uncertain followers, speaks to them directly, and gives them their mission anyway, which shapes how the reader should understand the call that follows.
Matthew 28:18-20 Verse by Verse
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
(WEB)
Just before his ascension, Jesus tells his followers they will receive power from the Holy Spirit and will be his witnesses in widening circles. This verse shows how the commission in Matthew was carried out in the early church, beginning in Jerusalem and reaching the wider world.
John 14:18
I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you.
(WEB)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus promises that he will not leave his disciples as orphans and that he will come to them. This parallels the promise at the end of Matthew and reminds readers that Jesus’ presence is a central comfort for those who follow him.
A Prayer Based on Matthew 28:18-20
Lord Jesus, you hold all authority in heaven and on earth, and I am grateful that the mission you gave does not rest on my strength. Help me to take your word seriously as I learn to follow you more closely each day. Give me courage to speak about you where I live and work, and make me patient with others as they grow. Thank you for promising to be with me always, even when I feel unsure or weak. Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main lesson of Matthew 28:18-20?
The main lesson is that Jesus has all authority and sends his followers to make disciples of every nation. The mission includes baptism and teaching, and it is backed by his promise to remain with them. Believers are called to take part in that work with confidence in his power.
Why does Jesus say he has been given all authority?
The statement establishes the basis for the command that follows. Because Jesus holds authority over heaven and earth, the disciples can go out with the assurance that their mission is part of his larger rule. The authority is given to him, which points to his close relationship with the Father.
What does it mean to make disciples of all nations?
It means inviting people from every people group into a life of following Jesus, not only people from one culture or background. The word for nations includes the whole range of peoples the disciples would have encountered. Making disciples also involves baptizing and teaching them over time.
