My interpretation for the Great Commission

[Miguel Labrador]

My Interpretation is based on the following parsing of the the NT Greek in Matthew 28:


Πορευθέντες
πορεύομαι: to go
verb, aorist, passive, participle, plural, nominative, masculine

μαθητεύσατε
μαθητεύω: to make a disciple
verb, aorist, active, imperative, second person, plural

βαπτίζοντες
βαπτίζω: to baptize
verb, present, active, participle, plural, nominative, masculine

διδάσκοντες
διδάσκω: to teach
verb, present, active, participle, plural, nominative, masculine

τηρεῖν
τηρέω: to obey
verb, present, active, infinitive

ἐνετειλάμην
ἐντέλλω: to command
verb, aorist, middle, indicative, first person, singular


This is not a word for word translation, but an attempt to capture the entire idea of the passage.


Jesus drew near to them and told them "All existing authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" Therefore, Go, and in your going, Make Disciples of all the different ethnic groups. Do this by baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Once they have been baptized, continue the process by teaching them to do all that I have commanded you. I will be with you as you do this until the very end of all things.

My personal interpretation of the Great Commission.
Do you agree or disagree with my interpretation? Why or Why Not?

[James Nored]

Miguel, I like the concept here, even if it might not be the literal translation. What I like is the linking of obedience back to making disciples. Usually, this verse is thought of as missional (going), evangelism (baptizing), and discipleship (teaching to obey). In this paradigm discipleship is post-conversion maturation and separate from making new converts and evangelism.

I would contend that being a disciple means being missional. Go back to the disciples' original call--come follow me, and I will make you fishers of people. Post-conversion growth (typically called discipleship) should lead to and help further this missional call.