INTRODUCTION
After the deception and disbelief described in the preceding verses, Matthew now turns to the radiant climax of his Gospel—the appearance of the Risen Lord to His disciples and the commissioning that establishes the universal mission of the Church. The eleven disciples journey to Galilee, as Jesus had instructed through the women, to the mountain where He is to meet them. Here, the one who was crucified in weakness now reveals Himself in divine authority and glory. Their journey symbolizes both obedience and renewal, as Galilee—the place where Jesus first called them—is again the setting where their mission begins anew.
This passage, known as the “Great Commission,” marks the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan and the beginning of the Church’s evangelical mission. Jesus declares, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me,” entrusting His disciples with the divine mandate to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all He commanded. This moment unites heaven and earth, faith and mission, divine authority and human responsibility. The Gospel concludes not with absence but with assurance—“I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” The risen Lord who conquered death remains ever-present with His Church, guiding it until the consummation of time.
Matthew 28:16 – “The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.”
After the events in Jerusalem, the scene shifts to Galilee, a region closely associated with the beginnings of Jesus’ ministry. The eleven disciples, obeying Jesus’ command conveyed through the women (Matthew 28:10), travel there to meet the risen Lord. The mention of “eleven” poignantly reminds us of Judas’ betrayal and fall, underscoring both human frailty and divine mercy. The mountain, often a place of divine revelation in Scripture, becomes the setting for this final manifestation and commissioning. Their journey to Galilee symbolizes a movement from fear and failure toward faith and mission, a renewal of the calling that began there years earlier.
Historical and Jewish Context
Mountains held deep spiritual significance in Jewish tradition as places of divine encounter—Mount Sinai for Moses, Mount Carmel for Elijah, and the Mount of Transfiguration for Jesus. Thus, meeting on a mountain evokes continuity with God’s revelations in salvation history. Galilee, often called “Galilee of the Gentiles” (Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:15), signifies universality—it is from this mixed region that the message of salvation will now go forth to all nations. The disciples’ obedience in going to Galilee contrasts sharply with the disobedience of the religious leaders in Jerusalem, revealing that true discipleship begins with faith and trust in the word of the risen Lord.
Catholic Theological Perspective
In Catholic theology, this verse marks both an end and a new beginning. The “mountain” represents not only a physical location but also the spiritual elevation of the disciples into their apostolic mission. Having witnessed their Master’s death and Resurrection, they are now prepared to receive divine authority and mandate. The Church sees in their obedience a model for all believers—faith is expressed not merely in words but in readiness to go where the Lord calls. The loss of Judas and the remaining “eleven” also prefigure the Church’s purification and restoration, soon to be completed by the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Parallels in Scripture
Key Terms
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This verse is recalled in the Easter season as a reminder that the Risen Christ calls His followers to obedience and mission. The mountain of Galilee foreshadows the “mountain of the Lord” where all nations shall gather in faith (Isaiah 2:2–3).
Conclusion
Matthew 28:16 serves as a bridge between Resurrection and mission. The disciples’ journey from Jerusalem’s sorrow to Galilee’s summit mirrors every believer’s pilgrimage from doubt to faith. Their willingness to go as commanded becomes the foundation of the Church’s missionary zeal—a faith that moves from encounter to proclamation.
Reflection
When God calls us to “go” to our own Galilee—places of challenge, mission, or renewal—do we obey in faith as the disciples did, or remain in hesitation?
Prayer
Risen Lord, strengthen our faith to follow Your command wherever You lead us. May our obedience, like that of Your first disciples, draw us closer to Your divine presence and prepare us to share Your Gospel with all nations. Amen.
Matthew 28:17 – “When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.”
This verse captures one of the most profound and human moments in the Gospel. As the eleven disciples behold the risen Christ on the mountain, they fall in worship, acknowledging His divine majesty. Yet Matthew adds with striking honesty, “but they doubted.” This mixture of adoration and hesitation reflects the tension between faith and uncertainty that often marks the journey of believers. Their doubt does not imply disbelief but rather amazement and inner struggle to comprehend the mystery before them. Even in their weakness, they are welcomed by Jesus—He neither rebukes them nor withdraws His presence. In this meeting, divine mercy embraces human frailty.
Historical and Jewish Context
In Jewish understanding, worship (Greek: proskyneō) was due to God alone. The disciples’ act of worship affirms their recognition of Jesus’ divinity. Their doubt (distazō in Greek) suggests hesitation rather than rejection—it is the same word used when Peter began to sink while walking on water (Matthew 14:31). That both worship and doubt coexist in this moment reveals a transitional phase in the disciples’ faith: they have moved from fear at the tomb to awe before the glorified Christ, yet they still need the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to understand fully. Their reaction authentically portrays human response to divine revelation—worship mingled with wonder, reverence tempered by incomprehension.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic viewpoint, this verse powerfully illustrates the reality of faith as both gift and journey. Even the apostles, chosen and instructed by Jesus, experience moments of hesitation before the mystery of His risen glory. The Church interprets this as a reminder that authentic faith is not the absence of doubt, but perseverance through it. Their worship despite uncertainty is an act of love that anticipates the Church’s continual profession: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). In Catholic spirituality, this verse becomes a source of comfort—God calls not the perfect, but the faithful who trust Him amid imperfection.
Parallels in Scripture
Key Terms
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This verse resonates deeply in Easter liturgies, where believers are invited to renew their faith even amid uncertainty. The Church sees in this moment the prototype of all discipleship: worship offered through imperfect yet sincere faith.
Conclusion
Matthew 28:17 reveals that Christ meets His followers not in perfection but in the midst of their struggle to believe. Their worship sanctifies their doubt; their doubt humanizes their worship. This sacred tension reminds every believer that faith matures through experience, trust, and divine grace. Jesus does not condemn their hesitation—He transforms it into mission, proving that imperfect faith is still faith that God can use.
Reflection
Have I ever hesitated to trust God fully even while professing belief? Like the disciples, can I bring my doubts to worship, trusting that His presence will strengthen me?
Prayer
Risen Lord, You welcomed Your disciples even in their doubt. Strengthen our weak faith and teach us to worship You with humility and trust. Let our moments of uncertainty become encounters of grace, deepening our love and fidelity to You. Amen.
Matthew 28:18 – “Then Jesus approached and said to them, ‘All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’”
At this climactic moment, the Risen Christ declares His divine sovereignty. Having conquered sin and death through His Passion and Resurrection, He now speaks as the exalted Lord of all creation. “All power” (exousia in Greek, meaning authority or dominion) signifies not mere strength, but the absolute right to rule and govern all things. His authority extends over heaven and earth, uniting the spiritual and the material realms under His kingship. This declaration prepares the disciples for their universal mission: they are sent not by a mortal teacher, but by the eternal Son of God who reigns with divine authority.
Historical and Jewish Context
In Jewish tradition, ultimate authority belonged to God alone (cf. Daniel 7:13–14), who entrusted dominion to the “Son of Man.” Jesus’ words directly echo this prophecy, revealing Himself as that promised figure who receives everlasting kingship from the Ancient of Days. His statement also fulfills His earlier assurance after the Resurrection that “the Son of Man has been given all authority to judge and to save.” The mention of “heaven and earth” recalls Genesis 1:1—Jesus, as the New Adam, exercises the creative authority of God Himself. For the disciples—still fearful and uncertain—this affirmation restores their courage: they are about to serve under divine command, not human commission.
Catholic Theological Perspective
In Catholic theology, this verse is foundational for understanding Christ’s universal lordship and the divine origin of the Church’s mission. The Father has entrusted all authority to the Son (John 3:35), and the Son, in turn, delegates this mission to His Church. This authority encompasses not only governance over creation but also the power to forgive sins, sanctify through the sacraments, and bring salvation to all nations. It affirms that the Church’s evangelizing and teaching mission flows directly from Christ’s divine mandate, not from human will. The words “all power” also prefigure the Ascension, when Christ, seated at the right hand of the Father, reigns eternally as Lord and Mediator.
Parallels in Scripture
Key Terms
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This verse is proclaimed during the Easter season and the Feast of the Ascension, affirming Christ’s eternal kingship. In the Mass, every “Amen” after the doxology—“Through Him, with Him, and in Him”—echoes this same truth: that all authority belongs to Christ.
Conclusion
Matthew 28:18 proclaims the victory of the Risen Lord who now reigns with divine authority. His dominion is not political or territorial, but redemptive and eternal. The disciples, once frail followers, now stand before the sovereign Lord of heaven and earth. This verse transforms fear into confidence, calling believers to trust in the One whose authority sustains the Church’s mission until the end of time.
Reflection
Do I recognize Christ as Lord over every part of my life—my thoughts, choices, and mission? Do I live under His authority with trust and obedience?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, King of heaven and earth, we adore You as the source of all power and authority. Rule in our hearts, guide Your Church, and let Your sovereignty be known throughout the world. Strengthen us to serve You faithfully and proclaim Your dominion with courage and joy. Amen.
Matthew 28:19 – “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.”
This verse is the heart of the Great Commission—the formal sending forth of the apostles to continue Christ’s mission on earth. Having received all authority, Jesus now delegates that authority to His followers. The word “Go” expresses both command and movement—it transforms the disciples from followers into missionaries. The call to “make disciples of all nations” marks a decisive expansion of God’s covenant: salvation, once revealed to Israel, is now offered universally. The act of baptizing in the triune name introduces the sacramental life of the Church, affirming both the unity of the Godhead and the divine origin of Christian mission.
Historical and Jewish Context
In Jewish tradition, the covenant relationship with God was limited to Israel and those who converted through circumcision and adherence to the Law. Jesus’ command here breaks those boundaries. The phrase “all nations” fulfills the ancient promise to Abraham that through his descendants “all families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). Baptism, as practiced by John and later sanctified by Christ, symbolized purification and repentance—but here it becomes the sacramental entrance into the new covenant, effecting regeneration through the power of the Holy Trinity. This universal mission was revolutionary to the Jewish mindset, signifying that faith, not ethnicity, now defines the people of God.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse defines the Church’s missionary identity and Trinitarian foundation. The command to “make disciples” includes both evangelization (proclamation of the Gospel) and catechesis (formation in faith). The formula “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” reveals the divine mystery of the Trinity—three Persons, one God—and forms the basis for the Church’s baptismal practice from apostolic times. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that through baptism, believers are freed from sin, reborn as children of God, incorporated into the Body of Christ, and made sharers in His mission. This verse thus establishes both the sacramental and missionary foundation of the entire Church.
Parallels in Scripture
Key Terms
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This verse is proclaimed at baptisms and missionary feasts such as Pentecost, Ascension, and the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity. Every baptism performed in the Church follows precisely this formula, affirming obedience to Christ’s command. It also frames the final blessing of the Mass, where the faithful are sent forth: “Go forth, the Mass is ended.”
Conclusion
Matthew 28:19 reveals the universal scope and divine authority of the Christian mission. It transforms the Resurrection from a private victory into a global calling. Through baptism and teaching, the Church continues Christ’s presence and expands His Kingdom on earth. The mission is not optional—it is the heartbeat of discipleship and the essence of Christian life.
Reflection
Do I see myself as part of this Great Commission? How do I bear witness to Christ—by word, example, and love—in the world entrusted to me?
Prayer
O Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—fill us with missionary zeal and courage. May we bring Your Gospel to all nations and draw hearts to Your divine life through word, witness, and sacrament. Make us true disciples who lead others to You through faith, baptism, and love. Amen.
Matthew 28:20 – “Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
This final verse of Matthew’s Gospel brings the Great Commission to its majestic completion. After commanding His disciples to go, make, and baptize, Jesus now charges them to teach—to form believers in a life of obedience and love. Christianity is not merely a message to be heard but a way to be lived. The command to “observe all that I have commanded” emphasizes moral and spiritual formation rooted in the Gospel—love of God, forgiveness, humility, and fidelity to truth. The verse concludes with Christ’s consoling promise: “I am with you always.” It is not only assurance but divine guarantee that the Risen Lord remains personally and actively present in His Church, sustaining her through every trial until the consummation of history.
Historical and Jewish Context
In the Jewish rabbinic tradition, discipleship meant not only learning but imitating the teacher’s way of life. Jesus elevates this understanding, asking His followers to embody His teachings as the new Lawgiver, the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. The phrase “until the end of the age” reflects the Jewish concept of two ages—this present world and the world to come. Christ’s promise bridges both: He remains with His Church through the Spirit until His glorious return. For the apostles, this assurance transforms human weakness into divine confidence; the same Jesus who once walked beside them in Galilee now pledges an eternal companionship through sacrament and Spirit.
Catholic Theological Perspective
In Catholic theology, this verse expresses both the missionary and sacramental dimensions of the Church. The command to “teach” establishes the magisterial authority of the Church to guard, interpret, and transmit Christ’s teachings through apostolic succession. The promise “I am with you always” affirms Christ’s perpetual presence in His Church—most especially in the Eucharist, where He abides truly, substantially, and sacramentally. This abiding presence is the soul of the Church’s mission and the source of her endurance. The phrase “until the end of the age” confirms that the Church’s mission is ongoing and universal, guided by the Holy Spirit until the final revelation of Christ’s glory.
Parallels in Scripture
Key Terms
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This verse is proclaimed on the Feast of the Ascension, celebrating both Christ’s heavenly exaltation and His abiding presence on earth. In every Eucharistic celebration, this promise is realized: “I am with you always.” The liturgy and the Church’s teaching ministry embody the ongoing fulfillment of this commission.
Conclusion
Matthew 28:20 brings the Gospel to a perfect close, uniting command and comfort, mission and mercy. The disciples are not left as orphans; they are empowered as witnesses. The Gospel that began with “Emmanuel—God with us” (Matthew 1:23) ends with the same assurance: the living presence of Christ in His Church. This enduring companionship transforms the fear of the eleven into the faith of countless millions who continue to proclaim, “The Lord is with us!”
Reflection
Do I live conscious of Christ’s presence in my daily life—in prayer, in the sacraments, and in others? How can I better “observe” His teachings and share them faithfully with those around me?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You promised to remain with us always. Strengthen Your Church with Your abiding presence. Grant that we may live Your teachings faithfully and share Your Gospel with courage and joy until You come again in glory. Stay with us, Lord, and guide us always in truth and love. Amen.
CONCLUSION
Matthew 28:16–20, the final passage of the Gospel, stands as both a triumphant conclusion and a glorious beginning. Here, the Risen Lord entrusts His divine mission to human hands, transforming fearful disciples into fearless apostles. On the mountain in Galilee, where His ministry had first begun, Jesus reveals His full authority over heaven and earth and commissions His followers to carry the light of salvation to all nations. The command to “make disciples” and to “baptize” establishes the foundation of the Church’s mission and sacramental life. Through these words, the covenant once limited to Israel becomes universal—God’s mercy and truth are now to be proclaimed to every people and culture.
The Gospel ends not with departure, but with presence. The same Jesus who was Emmanuel—“God with us”—remains eternally with His Church, guiding, strengthening, and sanctifying her until the end of the age. This enduring presence sustains every missionary, catechist, priest, and believer who continues the apostolic mission. The Great Commission thus defines the heart of Christian identity: to live in union with Christ, to teach His truth, and to lead others into communion with the Triune God. Every generation of believers inherits this same command and the same assurance—that the Risen Lord walks beside His people in every age and every corner of the world.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, Risen Savior and Eternal King, You have called us to share in Your mission and to bring the Good News to all nations. Strengthen our faith, deepen our love, and fill us with the courage of Your apostles. May we proclaim Your truth in word and deed, drawing others into the life of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Remain with Your Church always, guiding us through every trial, until we share in the glory of Your eternal kingdom. Amen.