The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. 18 Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
There are now 11 apostles since Judas betrayed Jesus and hanged himself (Mt. 27:5). The disciples were told to go to Galilee (Mt. 28:10), but Matthew placed them on the same mountain where the transfiguration took place (Mt. 17:1). Although the disciples see an appearance of the risen Jesus they still doubted. They had faith in Jesus because they worshipped him but since Jesus had already ascended at the resurrection, psychologically his appearance was difficult to comprehend.
The divine authority of the kingdom of God in heaven and on earth was bestowed upon Jesus in power at the resurrection. Jesus has now taken possession of his throne (Dan. 7:14). The risen Christ sends forth the disciples to baptize all peoples, including the Jewish people, in the name of the Trinity. The disciples are to continue the teaching ministry of Jesus instructing all peoples to believe in Jesus and obey the commandments. The risen Christ will always be there to support his teaching no matter who or where it is being done until the coming of the kingdom of God in its fullness.
Almighty God, cleanse and protect your Church and all those who carry on your teaching ministry so that through them your Church may stand secure and be always guided by your unfailing mercy and grace. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Comments