Matthew 28:18

Matthew 28:18, in plain English

Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.'

Why it's here

Before He asked them to do anything, He reminded them who was behind the mission. The One sending you out holds all the power there is.

Who's speaking

Jesus speaks the opening words of the Great Commission, declaring His absolute authority.

Where it sits in the story

This is the foundation for everything that follows. Jesus didn't say 'some authority' or 'authority in spiritual matters.' He said all authority, everywhere. That's the backing behind every step of faith you take.

The scholarly reading

Jesus declares that all authority (pasa exousia) in heaven and on earth has been given (edothē, divine passive) to Him, establishing the foundation for the Great Commission.

Language and setting

This universal authority claim echoes Daniel 7:14, where the Son of Man receives dominion over all peoples and nations. The divine passive indicates the Father as the source of this delegated cosmic authority.

Voice

The risen Jesus speaks with supreme authority, making a christological declaration that grounds everything that follows.

Significance

Before giving any command, Jesus established His credentials. The One sending them out is not merely a teacher or prophet but the possessor of all authority in every realm of existence.

16Meanwhile, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated.

17When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted.

18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Read all of Matthew 28 — An earthquake. An angel. An empty tomb. And then the most important words ever spoken: He is not here. He has risen.