What does the Bible say about the great commission?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that Christ sends His church into the world to proclaim the gospel, make disciples, and depend on the power of the Holy Spirit. Having received all authority, the risen Jesus commands His followers in Matthew 28:18-20 to go, baptize believers into the Triune name, and teach obedience to all He commanded, with His abiding presence promised. Mark 16:15 and Luke 24:46-47 emphasize preaching repentance and forgiveness through Christ to all nations. Acts 1:8 shows that this witness is enabled by the Spirit, not human strength. The harvest is plentiful, so the church should pray for laborers and gladly answer God's call, trusting that He gathers His people through the proclaimed Word.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Matthew 28:18-20

    [18] Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. [19] Therefore go, 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 things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

  • Mark 16:15

    He said to them, "Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to the whole creation.

  • Acts 1:8

    But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth."

  • John 20:21

    Jesus therefore said to them again, "Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you."

  • Isaiah 6:8

    I heard the Lord's voice, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here I am. Send me!"

  • Matthew 28:19

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

  • Luke 24:46-47

    [46] He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, [47] and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

  • Matthew 9:37-38

    [37] Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few. [38] Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest."

  • Romans 10:15

    And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

  • Matthew 28:16-20

    [16] But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them. [17] When they saw him, they bowed down to him, but some doubted. [18] Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. [19] Therefore go, 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 things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Related topics

Go deeper

Ask Explain Bible AI about the great commission and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.

Ask what the Bible says about the great commission