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Jesus Commands Disciples To Preach Gospel

The risen Christ's command to his disciples to preach the gospel appears most explicitly in the post-resurrection commissions recorded across the Gospels. Matthew records the charge: "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" [9], while Mark's account similarly emphasizes the universal scope of this mandate [8]. This commission represents not merely permission but divine obligation—"necessity was laid upon them," as one tradition notes, interpreting Christ's commissions as commands that left the apostles no liberty to decline [10].

The Apostolic Office and Its Purpose

The twelve apostles received their official designation from Christ himself [2]. The term "apostle" derives from the Greek meaning "one sent forth," originally denoting those twelve disciples whom Jesus chose "to send forth first to preach the gospel and to be with him during the course of his ministry on earth" [3]. Christ ordained them for this dual purpose: "to be with him" and to be sent out with authority [2]. Easton's Dictionary identifies Jesus as the archetypal apostle, "the Sent of the Father," before applying the term to those he commissioned [4].

The apostolic mission followed a deliberate sequence. Initially, Christ sent the twelve exclusively "to the house of Israel" [2, 12]. This restriction appears in his early instructions: the disciples were not to go among the Gentiles during his earthly ministry [14]. Only after the resurrection did Christ enlarge their commission to encompass "all nations" [14], transforming a geographically limited mission into a universal mandate.

The Gospel as Central Message

The substance of apostolic preaching centered on "the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world" [5]. This proclamation constituted "good tidings of great joy for all people," foretold in the prophetic writings [6]. The gospel itself is described as "the power of God to salvation," bringing "life and immortality to light" [6]. Christ himself had engaged in this work during his earthly ministry, preaching throughout Galilee [1], establishing the pattern his disciples would follow.

The commission to preach carried inherent authority. When Christ sent his disciples, he did so with the same authority by which the Father had sent him: "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you" [7]. This parallel underscores both the divine origin of their mission and the weight of responsibility placed upon them. The disciples received not merely a suggestion but a stewardship, a sacred trust to proclaim the message entrusted to them [6].

Scope and Permanence

The Great Commission in Matthew 28 encompasses two primary functions: missionary work (making converts and baptizing) and pastoral work (teaching converts "to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded") [13]. Calvin observes that baptism serves as "a kind of appendage" to the primary task of gospel proclamation, subordinate to the teaching function [11]. The commission extends temporally "unto the end of the world," with Christ's promise of perpetual presence accompanying the work [13].

The missionary imperative appears throughout apostolic instruction. Paul and Barnabas, when challenged about preaching to Gentiles, appealed to Christ's post-resurrection command as their warrant [14]. The Holy Spirit himself directed missionary work, calling specific individuals to the task [1]. This divine initiative, combined with Christ's explicit command, established the pattern for Christian mission across subsequent centuries—a pattern grounded not in human enthusiasm but in dominical authority.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Missionary Work By Ministers — Commanded -- Mt 28:19; Mr 16:15. Warranted by predictions concerning the heathen, &c -- Isa 42:10-12; 66:19. Is according to the purpose of God -- Lu 24:46,47; Ga 1:15,16; Col 1:25-27. Directed by the Holy Spirit -- Ac 13:2. Required -- Lu 10:2; Ro 10:14,15. The Holy Spirit calls to -- Ac 13:2. Christ engaged in -- Mt 4:17,23; 11:1; Mr 1:38,39; Lu 8:1. Christ sent his disciples to labour in -- Mr 3:14; 6:7; Lu 10:1-11. Obligations to engage in -- Ac 4:19,20; Ro 1:13-15; 1Co 9:16. Excellency of -- Isa 52:7; Ro 10:15. Worldly concerns sho”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Apostles, The — Christ pre-eminently called "The Apostle" -- Heb 3:1. Ordained by Christ -- Mr 3:14; Joh 15:16. Received their title from Christ -- Lu 6:13. Called by God. -- 1Co 1:1; 12:28; Ga 1:1,15,16. Christ. -- Mt 10:1; Mr 3:13; Ac 20:24; Ro 1:5. The Holy Spirit. -- Ac 20:24; Ro 1:5. Were unlearned men -- Ac 4:13. Selected from obscure stations -- Mt 4:18. Sent first to the house of Israel -- Mt 10:5,6; Lu 24:47; Ac 13:46. Sent to preach the gospel to all nations -- Mt 28:19,20; Mr 16:15; 2Ti 1:11. Christ always present with -- Mt 28:20. Warned against a timid p”
  3. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Apostle — (one sent forth), in the New Testament originally the official name of those twelve of the disciples whom Jesus chose to send forth first to preach the gospel and to be with him during the course of his ministry on earth. The word also appears to have been used in a non-official sense to designate a much wider circle of Christian messengers and teachers See (2 Corinthians 8:23; Philemon 2:25) It is only of those who were officially designated apostles that we treat in the article. Their names are given in (Matthew 10:2-4) and Christ's charge to them in the r”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Apostle — A person sent by another; a messenger; envoy. This word is once used as a descriptive designation of Jesus Christ, the Sent of the Father (Heb. 3:1; John 20:21). It is, however, generally used as designating the body of disciples to whom he intrusted the organization of his church and the dissemination of his gospel, "the twelve," as they are called (Matt. 10:1-5; Mark 3:14; 6:7; Luke 6:13; 9:1). We have four lists of the apostles, one by each of the synoptic evangelists (Matt. 10:2-4; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14), and one in the Acts (1:13). No two of these lists”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gospel, The — Is good tidings of great joy for all people -- Lu 2:10,11,31,32. Foretold -- Isa 41:27; 52:7; 61:1-3; Mr 1:15. Preached under the old testament -- Heb 4:2. Exhibits the grace of God -- Ac 14:3; 20:32. The knowledge of the glory of God is by -- 2Co 4:4,6. Life and immortality are brought to light by Jesus through -- 2Ti 1:10. Is the power of God to salvation -- Ro 1:16; 1Co 1:18; 1Th 1:5. Is glorious -- 2Co 4:4. Is everlasting -- 1Pe 1:25; Re 14:6. Preached by Christ -- Mt 4:23; Mr 1:14. Ministers have a stewardship to preach -- 1Co 9:17. Preached before”
  7. John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 20:21: Then said Jesus to them again,.... The words he said before: peace be unto you; which he repeated, to put them out of their fright, by reason of which they returned him no answer; and to raise and engage their attention to what he was about to say; and to pacify their consciences, distressed with a sense of their conduct towards him; and with a view to the Gospel of peace, he was now going to send them to preach: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you; Christ's mission of his disciples, supposes power in him, honour done to them, authority put upon them, qua”
  8. Mark (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Mark 16 (introduction): Early in the morning after the Sabbath, the three Marys come to the sepulcher, bringing sweet spices to embalm the body, Mar 16:1-4. They see an angel who announces the resurrection of our Lord, Mar 16:5-8. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, who goes and tells the disciples, Mar 16:9-11. He appears also to the two disciples who were going into the country, who also tell it to the rest, Mar 16:12, Mar 16:13. Afterwards he appears unto the eleven, and commissions them to preach the Gospel to all mankind, Mar 16:14-16. And promises to endue them with power to ”
  9. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 30: people. Everywhere, and under all dispensations, the rule of faith and duty has been the teaching of authenticated messengers of God. The appeal has always been “to the law and testimony.” The prophets came saying, “Thus saith the Lord.” Men were required to believe and obey what was communicated to them, and not what the Spirit revealed to each individual. It was the outward and not the inward word to which they were to attend. And under the gospel the command of Christ to his disciples, was, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gosp”
  10. Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 11:1: The first verse of this chapter some join to the foregoing chapter, and make it (not unfitly) the close of that. 1. The ordination sermon which Christ preached to his disciples in the foregoing chapter is here called his commanding them. Note, Christ's commissions imply commands. Their preaching of the gospel was not only permitted them, but it was enjoined them. It was not a thing respecting which they were left at their liberty, but necessity was laid upon them, Co1 9:16. The promises he made them are included in these commands, for the covenant of grace is a w”
  11. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 98: have sufficient protection in the simplicity of truth, I am unwilling to evade the point by paltry subtleties. Let them, therefore, have a solid answer. The command here given by Christ relates principally to the preaching of the gospel: to it baptism is added as a kind of appendage. Then he merely speaks of baptism in so far as the dispensation of it is subordinate to the function of teaching. For Christ sends his disciples to publish the gospel to all nations of the world, that by the doctrine of salvation they may gather men, wh”
  12. Mark (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Mark 7:26: But Jesus said unto her,.... Not directly and immediately, upon her first request; for he answered not a word to that; but after his, disciples had desired she might be sent away, her cries being so troublesome to them; and after she had renewed her request to him; see Mat 15:23. Let the children first be filled: according to this method, our Lord directed his apostles, and they proceeded: as he himself was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, he ordered his disciples to go to them, and preach the Gospel to them, and work miracles among them; and not go in t”
  13. Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 28:20: Teaching them--This is teaching in the more usual sense of the term; or instructing the converted and baptized disciples. to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I--The "I" here is emphatic. It is enough that I am with you alway--"all the days"; that is, till making converts, baptizing, and building them up by Christian instruction, shall be no more. even unto the end of the world. Amen--This glorious Commission embraces two primary departments, the Missionary and the Pastoral, with two sublime and comprehensive Encourag”
  14. Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 13:44: For so hath the Lord commanded us,.... For though Christ in his first commission restrained his disciples from going into the Gentiles, and preaching to them, yet when he enlarged their commission after his resurrection, he bid them go into all nations, and preach the Gospel to every creature; and told them, that they should be his witnesses to the uttermost part of the earth; see Mat 28:19 unless this should rather be thought to refer to what follows: saying; or "as it is written", as the Syriac version supplies; or "because so saith the Scripture", as the Ethiopic ”
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