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Jesus' Commission to the Apostles and Disciples in Scripture

Jesus designated twelve disciples as apostles, giving them the official title recorded in Luke 6:13 [1]. The term "apostle" derives from the Greek meaning "one sent forth," distinguishing these twelve from the broader circle of disciples who followed Jesus during his earthly ministry [2]. Four lists of the apostles appear in Scripture—one in each synoptic Gospel (Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16, Luke 6:14) and one in Acts 1:13 [3]. These men, selected from obscure stations and described as unlearned [1], received a commission that would unfold in stages across Jesus' ministry and beyond his resurrection.

The Initial Commission

Jesus first summoned the twelve and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast out demons and to heal every kind of disease and sickness (Matthew 10:1) [5]. This initial sending was geographically restricted: they were sent first to the house of Israel, explicitly instructed not to go to the Gentiles or Samaritans (Matthew 10:5-6) [1, 10]. Matthew Henry notes that this early commission directed these ambassadors to specific places, withholding the Gentile mission for a later stage [10]. The disciples went out two by two, a practice fulfilling the Old Testament requirement of two witnesses and providing companionship and mutual help [8]. Mark 6:30 designates them as "apostles" upon their return, indicating their new status as those who had been sent out [6].

This mission served a formative purpose. As the disciples preached and healed during this period, Jesus' teachings were engraved in their minds through retelling, preparing them to remember and later transmit what Jesus did and taught [8]. The missionary work was directed by the Holy Spirit and warranted by Old Testament predictions concerning the nations [4].

The Post-Resurrection Expansion

After his resurrection, Christ enlarged their commission dramatically. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 commanded them to go to all nations, making disciples, baptizing, and teaching converts to observe all that Jesus had commanded [1, 7]. John Gill observes that though Christ's first commission restrained disciples from going to the Gentiles, the post-resurrection charge explicitly sent them to all nations and to the uttermost part of the earth [11]. This shift aligned with God's purpose and the predictions concerning the heathen found in Isaiah 42:10-12 and 66:19 [4].

The commission encompassed two primary departments: the missionary (making converts and baptizing) and the pastoral (building them up through Christian instruction) [9]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown distinguish between the initial evangelistic teaching and the subsequent instruction of converted and baptized disciples in observing Christ's commands [9]. The curriculum consisted of all Jesus' commands, including the Sermon on the Mount, with the church marked by its obedience to these teachings [7].

Authority and Presence

Jesus delegated his own authority to the apostles, enabling them to cast out demons and heal—powers he himself exercised [8]. This authority came not merely from human appointment but from divine calling: apostles were called by God (1 Corinthians 1:1, 12:28, Galatians 1:1, 15-16) and by Christ himself (Matthew 10:1, Mark 3:13) [1]. The Holy Spirit also participated in this calling, as seen in Acts 13:2 [4].

The commission carried a promise of perpetual presence. Jesus assured the apostles, "I am with you always, even to the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20) [1, 9]. This emphatic "I" guaranteed Christ's presence through all the days until the work of making converts, baptizing, and instructing would be complete [9]. Matthew Henry notes that Jesus went up into a mountain to pray before choosing the twelve, establishing the pattern that ministers must be set apart with solemn prayer for the Spirit's outpouring [12].

Sources

  1. 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”
  2. 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”
  3. 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”
  4. 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”
  5. Matthew “Matthew 10:1 (NASB) — Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.”
  6. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 6:30: 6:30-44 The disciples’ mission concludes (6:6-13, 30-34), followed by the account of the feeding of the 5,000 (6:35-44; see also Matt 14:13-21; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15). The feeding of the 4,000 is sufficiently different to indicate that these were two separate occasions (see Mark 8:1-10). 6:30 Mark calls Jesus’ disciples apostles here to indicate their new status as those who had been sent out (see study note on 3:14-15) and to avoid possible confusion between them and John the Baptist’s disciples. • The apostles reported the success of what they had done and tau”
  7. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 28:20: 28:20 Teach: The disciples’ curriculum is comprised of all the commands of Jesus (e.g., the Sermon on the Mount, chs 5–7). The church is to be marked by its obedience to Jesus’ commands (5:17-20; 7:13-27). Jesus’ authority and presence are the basis for the disciples’ mission (see also 1:23; 18:20).”
  8. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 6:7: 6:7-13 Jesus now sent the disciples out to preach and heal. During this mission, Jesus’ memorable teachings were engraved in their minds by retelling, and it prepared them to remember and retell later what Jesus did and taught (Luke 1:2). 6:7 two by two: This practice fulfilled the Old Testament requirement of two witnesses (Num 35:30; Deut 17:6; 19:15; see Matt 18:16) and provided for companionship and mutual help (Acts 13:1-3; 15:22, 39, 40). • giving them authority: Jesus can delegate his authority (see Mark 1:27; 2:10) to others. • The disciples were to cast out ”
  9. 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”
  10. Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 10:5: We have here the instructions that Christ gave to his disciples, when he gave them their commission. Whether this charge was given them in a continued discourse, or the several articles of it hinted to them at several times, is not material; in this he commanded them. Jacob's blessing his sons, is called his commanding them, and with these commands Christ commanded a blessing. Observe, I. The people to whom he sent them. These ambassadors are directed what places to go to. 1. Not to the Gentiles nor the Samaritans. They must not go into the way of the Gentiles, n”
  11. 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 ”
  12. Mark (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Mark 3:13: In these verses, we have, I. The choice Christ made of the twelve apostles to be his constant followers and attendants, and to be sent abroad as there was occasion, to preach the gospel. Observe, 1. The introduction to this call or promotion of disciples; He goes up into a mountain, and his errand thither was to pray. Ministers must be set apart with solemn prayer for the pouring out of the Spirit upon them; though Christ had authority to confer the gifts of the Holy Ghost, yet, to set us an example, he prayed for them. 2. The rule he went by in his choice, and that”
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