But later, as the eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. 15 He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. 18 They will pick up serpents [with their hands], and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. 20 But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.]
After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to the eleven Apostles and reprimanded them because they did not believe the eyewitness testimony of those who had seen him alive. They lacked faith despite the evidence presented to them. Jesus then commissioned the Eleven to spread the Gospel to all nations and every creature. By extension, all believers are obligated to participate in the evangelization of the world. Those who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who was raised from the dead and are baptized will be saved. Those who do not turn away from sin and embrace Jesus’ offer of salvation face condemnation and spiritual death. Believers who participate in spreading the Gospel will have their work validated by miraculous signs and wonders.
Jesus ascended to heaven and was exalted to the highest place of honor, power, and authority in heaven where he sits at the right hand of God, fulfilling the messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. This verse affirms Jesus’ divine identity and establishes his reign over all creation. The disciples obeyed Jesus; command to preach the Gospel. They went forth boldly, proclaiming the message of Jesus' death and resurrection to all people. The Lord worked in them and their message was confirmed by signs of his Divine power.
Almighty God, strengthen our faith so that we may boldly proclaim your message of love and salvation to all people. May the Holy Spirit be with us as we go forth, confirming your word through signs of your power and grace. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
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.
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.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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