The Great Commission - Revisited

The Great Commission is one of Christianity's most used, quoted, and beloved passages. It is the catch phrase for our evangelism, our missions, and our discipleship. There is even great importance given to it in the biblical text, as it is likely Jesus' last words given to His followers. As we look to the idea of living out our faith out in our culture, it is very important to look at Jesus' words on how to do that. So, here is what He had to say:

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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

One really interesting thing about this passage is that every major English translation of the Bible gets it wrong. This is the point I would like to focus on today. I'm not really sure why this is the case. It could be that because it is such a popular verse, that they want to keep it close to the earlier translations. None of this changes the fact that it is a poor translation. As you look at the verse above, you see two major imperatives or commands in the English: "Go" and "Make Disciples". In the greek text, however, there is only one imperative that we find in the grammar: "Make Disciples". The word that is translated as "Go" is actually a participle. A participle is not a command, but rather an indication of a continuous or ongoing activity. We see other examples of this in the passage in the words "baptizing" and "teaching". Basically, a participle is a verb form, but with an "ing" at the end.

Realizing this drastically changes the meaning and implication of the text. The only command found here is to make disciples. This was the major command that Jesus entrusted with His followers before leaving the earth. We are to share and live the gospel among people, and to help them grow in their relationship with Christ. The other "command" that we have followed is this idea to "go". But a literal translation of that word would say "As you are going". There is no command to "go" here. I realize that this could be slightly controversial, because of the fact that much of our missions and our evangelism are based on this command to go. I do not think, however, that this new translation takes away from the directive to share to gospel with all nations. Rather, I think it actually opens up the principle and makes it more for all believers.

It seems as if this "go" command has left some believers in feeling like the Great Commission does not apply to them. Not all believers feel like they are called to "go" overseas and preach the gospel. Not all feel as if God has called them to full-time ministry. This does not change the fact that as they live their lives and their careers, they are called to make disciples. Jesus told His followers to make disciples wherever they are and whatever they are doing. It could be overseas, or it could be in their own neighborhood. Jesus is simply asking us for obedience in sharing and living the gospel out in our own world, in our own job, in our own relationships, and in our own life. That is our one command: "As you are going, make disciples".