Matthew
28:16-20
With thanks to page sponsor 2017:
Rev. Daniel J. Lemke, Pastor,
Ashley Wesleyan Church, Ashley, Ohio.
- Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition & sermons.
- Historical References, Commentary and
Comparative Texts:
- The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
- Comparative texts about Baptism: Water & Spirit from DSS, Josephus, Babylonian Talmud. At (Rutgers University Dept of Religion) Mahlon H. Smith's Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus companion to the historical study of Christian texts.
- "Revealed to Disciples," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C. Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation.
- Chapter IX, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Philadelphians, Ignatius of Antioch (c. 50 - 115). (Longer Version only - 4th cent interpolation)
- LV.1-2, 4, 6-7; Tatian's Diatessaron (c. 150-160).
- III.XVII.1, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
- Chapter V, Adversus Judaeos, Tertullian (c. 198)
- Chapter XIII, On Baptism, Tertullian (c. 198)
- Chapter VIII, Chapter XX, The Prescription of Heretics, Tertullian (c. 200)
- Chapter X, Considering Repentance, Tertullian (c. 203)
- IV.43, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 210)
- X.7, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Philocalia [anthology of Origen prepared by St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen], Origen. (c.230)
- II.IX, V.XII, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
- X.18, XII.6, XII.34, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
- Epistle XXIV -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 250)
- Epistle LXII -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 253)
- Epistle LXXII -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 256)
- Epistle LXXX -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 257)
- III.5, Ecclesiastical History, Eusebius of Caesarea (c 320).
- From the Catena Aurea, Patristic Commentary by St Thomas Aquinas.
- From the
Geneva Notes.
- "Forever: and this refers to the manner of the presence of his Spirit, by means of which he makes us partakers both of himself and of all his benefits, even though he is absent from us in body."
- Section VIII, Evidences of the Christian Religion, Joseph Addison, c. 1715.
- From
Matthew
Henry's Commentary.
- "The God of Israel, the Saviour, is sometimes a God that hideth himself, but never a God at a distance."
- From
Wesley's
Notes.
- "And these were to be determined by the circumstances of things; which made it necessary in baptizing adult Jews or heathens, to teach them before they were baptized; in discipling their children, to baptize them before they were taught; as the Jewish children in all ages were first circumcised, and after taught to do all God had commanded them."
- From the
Commentary on the Whole Bible
(Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
- "...am with you alway--"all the days"; that is, till making converts, baptizing, and building them up by Christian instruction, shall be no more."
- From
The People's
New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
- "They are to make disciples, or pupils, and scholars of Christ; not great philosophers, but 'babes in Christ Jesus,' who have entered the school of Christ and are to be taught afterwards."
- Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
- Commentary, Matthew 28:16-20 (Trinity A), Stanley Saunders, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2017.
- "What does the Great Commission have to do with the Trinity?"
- Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2017.
- The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2017.
- "With Us To The End of the Age," Kelly Johnson, 2017
- "'But Some Doubted...'" Janet H Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2017.
- "The Great Calling and Assurance," Glenn Monson, Law and Gospel Everywhere, 2017.
- "Matthew, Trinity, and Me: Which song shsall I sing?" Andrew Prior, 2017.
- Commentary, Matthew 28:16-20 (Trinity A), Stanley Saunders, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
- "The God of Genesis 1-2:4a provides assurance to those, who work to raise crops against the numerous natural challenges."
- "Galilean Rendevous," D. Mark Davis, rough translation and notes, Left Behind and Loving It, 2014.
- "Many translations make this 'they saw' and 'but some doubted.' The 'they' is the implied subject of the plural verb. The 'some' is the curious translation. as 'they' but reduce the pronoun ο? to 'some'? Precedent is 'the 11.' Kudos to the New American Bible (translated by the US Council of Bishops), which renders: 'When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.'"
- Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2014.
- "Trust," Andrew Prior, 2014.
- "The Trinity is not a doctrine to which we subscribe because it describes God as God is. God is more. The Trinity is not a set of balls, seven or more, which we have to juggle and somehow keep in the air."
- Matthew 28, Rob Myallis, Lectionary Greek, 2014.
- "The Commissioned," Andrew King, A Poetic Kind of Place, 2014.
- "Reflection for Trinity Sunday," Bob Cornwall, Ponderings on a Faith Journey, 2014.
- "And so as we go forth into the World, we're not alone. God is present. God is active. God is creating and recreating. God is redeeming. God is sustaining the creation. Yes, God is with us – in Jesus through the Holy Spirit – to the end of the age."
- "Inconvenient Truth," Don Underwood, Edgy Exegesis, 2014.
- "What if faithful proclamation of the Good News demands the courage to acknowledge that faith isn't easy?"
- "The God of Love and Peace," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer, 2014.
- "It is when we open ourselves to those who are around us, allow ourselves to experience their pain and suffering, and share compassion and kindness with them that we experience "the God of love and peace."
- "This Is a Football," Steve Godfrey, The Church in the World, 2014.
- "To baptize to call to a symbolic and public proclamation of burying an old life and rising to a new one. It is to say, 'I am all in.' How today's church desperately needs leaders who will call others to commitment, especially men."
- Comentario del San Mateo 28:16-20 por Samuel Cruz, Working Preacher, 2014.
- "The Biggest One of All," David Sellery, 2014.
- "Of Three Equals One," Thomas Beam, 2014.
- Those wanting to preach on Psalm 8 and who use a video projector in their sanctuaries will find the awesome beginning of Contact a great addition. This approximately 4-minute clip starts with a NASA view of Earth: we hear the voices and sounds of TV shows, and then as the camera starts moving away from Earth faster than light, we hear radio broadcasts—of old shows, the voices of FDR and Hitler, and more. The sounds fade away as we move beyond the Solar System, pass through star systems, nebulae and galaxies. With careful rehearsing you could show this sequence as the Psalm is read: makes for an impressive backdrop.
Of the current movies in which a team is sent out to accomplish a mission the new X-Men: Days of Future Past is probably most relevant. The theme of being called and sent, however, is probably best seen in the first of the series X-Men in which teacher Charles Xavier sees that each of the mutants should use the gift, not for his or her own advantage, but for fighting injustice and crime. Another recent film is The Monuments Men about a WW 2 team of soldiers with the important mission of saving art treasures from destruction by the Nazis. - Ed Mc Nulty, Visual Parables - Commentary, Matthew 28:16-20 (Trinity A), Craig R. Koester, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
- "The concluding verses of Matthew's gospel give a vivid glimpse into what it means to be disciples of Jesus."
- "Reclaiming the Great Commission," David Lose, Dear Working Preacher, 2011.
- "...if we want our people to get excited about, rather than feel guilty because of, the Great Commission, we need to commit to reclaiming Sunday worship and preaching as the God-given time in which to rehearse and practice the skills essential to Christian living..."
- "Doing What You're Told," Alyce McKenzie, Patheos, 2011.
- "How good are you at doing what you are told? We can't afford to wait until we are perfect and conditions are optimal to make disciples."
- Holy
Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, Matthew 6:24-34, David Ewart, 2011.
- "These 5 short verses touch on several crucial themes: 1) The authority of Jesus. 2) The purposes of the church: go, make disciples, baptize, teach, obey, remember. 3) The presence of Jesus-now-resurrected. A congregation that is centred on these will not go far wrong. And might even get a fair bit right. "
- Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen at CrossMarks Christian Resources.
- "Can we actually 'waste' a whole day for Sabbath rest and worship? Set aside a whole day for God and each other? What gods are we worshiping when we are unable to 'remember a whole Sabbath day to keep it holy'?"
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
- First
Thoughts on Year A Gospel Passages from the Lectionary, Trinity A.
William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
- "This is such an important text in the context of Matthew's gospel that there is a danger that its use on Trinity Sunday will lead to too much focus on its tenuous links with the Trinity, so I want to start with the passage itself. It has enormous significance as the climax of the gospel, drawing together major themes of the gospel..."
- Lectionary Commentary, Matthew 28:16-20, Valerie Kuykendall-Rogers, The African American Lectionary, 2009.
- "As I matured and grew, and as I studied the historical significance of the black Church in seminary, I learned what Missionary Sunday entailed?edifying, equipping, and empowering a community to emulate the work of Christ in order to provide a refuge from the daily onslaught of denigration and degradation."
- Commentary, Matthew 28:16-20, Richard Beaton, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2008.
-
Dylan's Lectionary Blog,
Trinity, 2005. Biblical Scholar
Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary
of the Episcopal Church.
- "We're called not just to baptize. We're not called to make churchgoers, people who include religion as one among many respectable civic activities. We're called to make disciples, people who really follow Jesus as Lord."
- Matthew in the Margins, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
-
"The End in Matthew (5:48 and 28:20): How to Preach It and How Not To,"
Robert H. Smith, Word & World: Theology for Christian Ministry, Luther Northwestern
Theological School, 1999.
- "These two great texts are perfect guides for all our reading, all our preaching, all our living."
-
"The Presence and Power of God,"
Trinity B, Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com:
A Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's
Story, Family Activity, Support Materials.
- "What concepts do you find easy to understand but difficult to communicate?"
- "The End of the First Gospel," F.F. Bruce, The Evangelical Quarterly, 1940.
- "All Authority Belongs to Jesus," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
- "Great Commission," wikipedia.
- "Decision Priority 1: Make Disciples" Kwasi Kena's Continue to Change the World Series.
- " Jesus commissioned us to do more than just make converts, we are to make disciples!"
-
"Transformed
on the Mountain: Ritual Analysis and the Gospel of Matthew," by K.C. Hanson, St
Olaf College. From Semeia 67 (1994).
- "...the transformations are not solely experiences of Jesus in his earthly ministry, but are meant to be replicable experiences within the community on the path of discipleship."
-
"Conversion
Factors," Frederica Mathewes-Green, BeliefNet.
- "It's OK to proselytize, but there are times when it's kinder to refrain."
- Commentary, Matthew 28:16-20 (Trinity A), Stanley Saunders, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2017.
- Recommended articles
from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are
linked below.
ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of
selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Arias, Mortimer, "Rethinking the
Great Commission," Theology Today, 1991.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Bibb, Wade, "Preaching in Ordinary
Time: The Extraordinary Subject of Jesus' Realm," Review & Expositor,
2007. (Section on this text begins on p. 301.)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Brooks, Oscar S., Sr., "Matthew
28:16-20 and the Design of the First Gospel," Journal for the Study
of the New Testament, 1981.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Brown, Raymond E.,
"The Resurrection in Matthew," Worship, 1990.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Campbell, Cynthia M., "Matthew 28:16-20: Expository
Essay," Interpretation, 1992.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Carter, Warren,
"Matthew and the Gentiles: Individual Conversion and/or Systemic
Transformation?" Journal for the Study of the New Testament,
2004.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Day, Dan, "A Fresh Reading of Jesus'
Last Words: Matthew 28:16-20," Review & Expositor, 2007.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Finley, Stephen C., "Homoeroticism
and the African-American Heterosexual Male: Quest for Meaning in the
Black Church," Black Theology, 2008.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Hanson, K.C., "Transformed on the
Mountain: Ritual Analysis and the Gospel of Matthew," Semeia,
1994.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Heil, John Paul, "The Narrative Structure of Matthew
27:55 - 28:20," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1991.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Herrero, Francisco Pérez, "Mission Following the
Missionary Mandate of the Risen Christ," International Review of
Mission, 2006.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Hiebert D. Edmond, "An Expository
Study of Matthew 28:16-20," Bibliotheca Sacra, 1992.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Holden, James Leslie, "Matthew's Trumpet Blast," Modern Believing, 2010.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- "Homiletical Helps," Concordia Journal, 2011. (Section on this text begins on page 147)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial - Kingsbury, Jack Dean, "The
Composition and Christology of Matthew 28:16-20," Journal of Biblical
Literature, 1974.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Krentz, Edgar,
"'Make Disciples' -- Matthew on Evangelism," Currents in Theology and
Mission, 2006.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Krentz, Edgar,
"Missionary Matthew: Matthew 28:16-20 as Summary of the Gospel,"
Currents in Theology and Mission, 2004.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Levine, Amy-Jill, "'To All the
Gentiles': A Jewish Perspective on the Great Commission," Review &
Expositor, 2006.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Meier, John P., "Nations or Gentiles
in Matthew 28:19?" The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1977.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Meier, John P., "Two Disputed Questions in Matthew
28:16-20," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1977.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Samra, James G., "A Biblical View of Discipleship,"
Bibliotheca Sacra, 2003.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Sawicki, Marianne, "Recognizing the
Risen Lord," Theology Today, 1988.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Schnabel, Eckhard J.,
"Israel, the People of God, and the Nations," Journal of the
Evangelical Theological Society, 2002.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Senior, Donald, C.P., "Between Two Worlds: Gentile and Jewish Christians in Matthew's Gospel,"
The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1999.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Sharma, Arvind, "Christian
Proselytization: A Hindu Perspective," Missiology, 2005.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Sheeley, Steven, "The Exercise of
Jesus' Royal Power: Lent through Trinity Sunday," Review & Expositor,
2007.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Shore, Mary Hinkle,
"Preaching Mission: Call and Promise in Matthew 28:16-20," Word &
World, 2006. (See also entire issue of Word & World, 26.3, 2006,
issue focus
Mission in the Congregation.)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Smith, Robert H., "The End in Matthew
(5:48 and 28:20): How to Preach It and How Not To," Word & World,
1999.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Soares-Prabhu, George M., "Two Mission Commands: An Interpretation of Matthew 28:16-20 in the Light of a Buddhist Text," Biblical Interpretation, 1994.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Sparks, Kenton L.,
"Gospel as Conquest: Mosaic Typology in Matthew 28:16-20," The
Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2006.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Thomas, Linda E., "Anthropology, Mission and the
African Woman: A Womanist Approach," Black Theology, 2008.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Thomas, Robert L., "Historical Criticism and the
Great Commission," Master's Seminary Journal, 2000.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Ulrich, Daniel W., "The Missional
Audience of the Gospel of Matthew," Catholic Biblical Quarterly,
2007.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Willard, Dallas, "How to Be a Disciple," The
Christian Century, 1998.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Wright, David F.,
"The Baptismal Community,"
Bibliotheca Sacra, 2003.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Arias, Mortimer, "Rethinking the
Great Commission," Theology Today, 1991.
- Sermons:
- "The Great Omission," the Rev. Dr. Charles Reeb, Day 1, 2014.
- "Great Omissions from the Great Commission," Brian Stanley, Faith and Leadership, 2012.
- "Formula For Life," Trinity Sunday, Larry M. Goodpaster, SermonStudio.
- "Turning the Great Commission on Its Ear," the Rev. Dr. Rob Nash, Day 1, 2008.
- "Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah...Love," the Rev. Dr. James B. Lemler, Day 1, 2008.
- "The Trinity," "Go, go, go, go, go," Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
- "Farewell," John Jewell, 2003.
- "It's Not Over," the Rev. Robina Marie Winbush, Day 1, 2002.
- Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily
- With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Trinity Sunday, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2014. 2011.
- "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," June 15, 2014, Union Presbyterian Seminary. Connections: Genesis 1:1-2:4a and There Was an Old man Who Painted the Sky by Teri Sloat, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 and The Storytellers Beads by Jane Kurtz, Matthew 28:16-20 and A Mother's Promise, by Lisa Humphrey. 2011.
- "The Great Commission," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
- "Delivering the Invitation," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
- "Jesus Tells the Disciples What To Do," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
- Matthew 28:20, memory verse activity, MSSS Crafts and Resources for Bible Stories.
- Drama:
- "The Three Little Missionaries," John McNeil, dramatix.
- "Mission Possible," John McNeil, dramatix.
- "Green's Call," dramatix.
- "Send Me Away," Joanne Miller, dramatix.
- "Father, Forgive Us," Sandy Erb, dramatix.
- "Mixed Up Mission," Eric Fisher, dramatix.
- "High above the Clouds," from A Certain Jesus by Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal for catechetical and liturgical dramatization of today's gospel. Claretian Publications.
- Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Matthew 28:16-20, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
- Matthew 28:16-20, at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
- Clip Art, Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld woodcuts, World Mission Collection, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
- Hymns and Music:
- “Remember Me,” original hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, 2001, inspired by the God’s presence in the Exodus, the Eucharist and as we share God’s love everywhere. Tune: O WALY WALY 8.8.8.8 (“Though I May Speak”)
- Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Matthew 28:18, 19, 20. The Cyber Hymnal.
- Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
- "Your Fingerprint," Brenton Prigge, NewHymn, a new, relevant hymn set to traditional tunes.
- At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
- Worship and Liturgy Resources:
- "The Great Commission in Response to the Trinity," Worship resources for Trinity Sunday based on Matthew 28:16-20, Wayne H. Keller, SermonStudio.
- Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
- Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
- The above links are for the study of specifically Matthew's resurrection account. See also Study Links and Resources for the general Accounts of Jesus' Resurrection
- Literary References Online:
- "Ascension," from La Corona by John Donne (1572-1631).
- Study Links and Resources for the Book of Matthew
