The Great Commission is found in Matthew 28 and was Jesus’ final instructions before he ascended into heaven after his resurrection.
The Great Commission tells us to go and make disciples, baptize them and teach them to obey Jesus’ ways.
There are many practical ways to respond to the Great Commission, from sharing your faith to showing kindness.
The Great Commission in the Bible
The Great Commission is found in Matthew 28. This chapter begins with both Mary and Mary Magdalene going to Jesus’ tomb after his crucifixion. What they witnessed was a bit … unexpected.
Instead of seeing the stone covering Jesus’ resting place, they were met by an angel with incredible news.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” — Matthew 28:5-6, NIV
The angel then instructed the women to go and tell the disciples that Jesus had risen and would meet them in Galilee. There, Jesus gave the disciples a message that would not only change their lives but the world: the Great Commission.
“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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” — Matthew 28:19-20, NIV
What Is the Meaning of the Great Commission?
The Great Commission was the final message Jesus gave to his disciples before he ascended into heaven (Mark 16:19). Such a message must’ve been pretty important. Let’s find out why.
What Is a Commission?
In this context, a commission is a mandate or command given with authority. A mandate or command isn’t something optional — it’s a requirement.
Jesus knew his disciples could carry forward his ministry. And that’s what we get to do now too. Jesus invites all of us to partner with him to continue his mission on earth, reaching people with the eternal hope of the gospel. Exciting, right?
Exploring the Great Commission in the Bible
Jesus’ Great Commission can be broken down into three parts: making disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey his ways.
Making Disciples of All Nations
But what is a disciple? The Greek word for “disciple” is mathetes, which comes from the word manthano, meaning “to learn.” A disciple is a student who learns Jesus’ ways so they can follow in his footsteps and become like him.
That’s our job as disciples. To learn to be like Jesus and, just like he did, make other disciples who follow him too and become more like him day after day. How do we do this? Let’s look at how Jesus made his disciples.
Jesus called 12 men as his first disciples. He spent day after day and night after night with them. He ate with them. Laughed with them. Performed miracles in front of them. Corrected them. Cried with them. Did life with them.
Jesus didn’t just minister to the disciples on Sunday — he walked alongside them, teaching them the ways of God even in the mundane.
That’s what making disciples looks like: welcoming someone into God’s family and walking alongside them as they journey with Jesus.
Baptizing Them in the Name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit
The Greek word used for “baptize” in Matthew 28:19 is baptizo, which means “to immerse” or “to dip.”
Baptism is an outward expression of what’s happening inside of us when we accept Jesus as our Savior. When we’re baptized, it symbolizes how we die to our sinful selves and then rise to new life with Jesus when we leave the water.
When we baptize, we welcome new disciples into new life with Jesus. It’s where the discipleship journey begins.
Teaching Them to Obey Jesus’ Ways
True discipleship doesn’t mean helping someone through a prayer of salvation and then leaving them to figure out the rest. In the Great Commission, Jesus instructed us to teach disciples to obey all his ways — a process that doesn’t happen overnight.
The Greek word for “teaching” here is didasko. Now here’s something fascinating: In biblical studies, didasko is a prolonged form of a verb that means “to learn” or “to teach.” In this prolonged form, the word symbolizes continuous or repeated action, not just a single act.
In other words, it doesn’t just mean to do something once but to keep on doing it for a long time. So didasko doesn’t just mean teaching someone something. It means guiding them and instructing them over time. Cool, right?
Jesus didn’t sit his disciples down for a one-hour Bible class. He instructed them daily. Through his example, he consistently guided them, teaching them what it means to be like him in every moment and every area of life. And that’s what he asks us to do for others too.
7 Practical Ways to Live Out the Great Commission
All of us are called to go and make disciples. It’s not an invitation that was reserved for Peter, James, John and those other guys. It’s not something only your pastor can do. You can represent Jesus and make disciples too.
Here are some simple ways you can start discipling those around you and even those on the other side of the world.
Share your faith: Every day, we have opportunities to share Jesus with those around us, especially in daily conversations with co-workers, neighbors, friends and family. You don’t have to preach — simply talk openly and honestly about what Jesus means to you.
Choose just one: It’s not possible for one person to disciple everyone. That’s why discipleship is a call to all Christians. But we can disciple one person. Choose someone around you who’s journeying with Jesus. Meet regularly with them. Read the Bible together. Talk about how you put Jesus’ teaching into practice in any and every area of your lives. Pray for them. As you walk together, you might just find you’re discipling each other.
Serve your community: Jesus didn’t just proclaim the good news with words but also by serving the needs of those around him. For example, he fed the 5,000 and healed the sick. By serving in our communities, we can meet the practical needs of others, demonstrating the good news and the love God has for them. For example, you could volunteer at a shelter, donate to a local food bank or even visit the elderly in your neighborhood. You could even invite the one person you chose above to join in service with you, putting discipleship into action.
Practice simple kindness: Sometimes, discipleship simply looks like showing someone the kindness found in Christ. What act of kindness could you perform today to show his love? Maybe you could offer someone a hug or write a thank-you note to a friend.
Partner with ministries making disciples: Making disciples, especially of all nations, requires all of us working together. And many ministries are doing just that around the world. You can support them by donating to a cause or even volunteering. You could also sponsor a child, ensuring they’re welcomed into a local church community that introduces them to Jesus, cares for their needs, and walks alongside them as they grow up and grow in him.
Use your gifts: All of us have unique gifts to use for the building of God’s kingdom (Romans 12:4-6). What are your gifts? Maybe you’re great at teaching. If so, why not teach a Bible study? Maybe you’re an incredible host who could invite some people you know are lonely over for dinner once a week. Every gift can serve the mission of making disciples.
Live like Jesus: One of the best ways to disciple is to just be an example by living like Jesus. Love people unconditionally. Serve without asking for anything in return. Care for those in need. Point people to the truth of God’s Word. Pray and seek the fruit of the Spirit. Being like him gives those around you a living example of what Jesus invites them to become.
Compassion: Making Disciples Across the Nations
As a Christ-centered ministry, Compassion aims to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, making disciples around the world. How? By caring for the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs of children living in poverty.
Jesus didn’t just feed the hungry or heal the sick. He didn’t just preach the gospel. Instead, he did all those things and more, bringing people close to God, showing them the truth and helping them do the same for others.
In response to the Great Commission, Compassion exists as an advocate for children, releasing them from poverty in all its forms and empowering them to become thriving followers of Jesus.
Compassion serves millions of children in 29 countries (and counting), making disciples across the nations by:
Demonstrating and proclaiming the gospel: We empower churches to represent Christ in their communities, caring for children as he would. They offer children nutritious meals, medical care, education and encouragement. Children hear the gospel and grow to understand the love of Jesus by seeing it at work in their lives.
Walking with children through poverty: Compassion partners exclusively with local churches already established in impoverished communities. So we don’t offer aid and then leave. Instead, we stay and offer faithful care, walking alongside children and empowering them to develop their unique, God-given gifts as they grow closer to Jesus and work to overcome poverty.
Caring for all their needs: As followers of Jesus, we’re filled with compassion for every need and challenge a child faces. A child who is desperately hungry or without a home may not be able to see past their circumstances and into the hope found in Jesus. That’s why we care for all their needs — mind, body and soul — equipping them to not only experience the love of Christ but to grow into all he’s made them to be.
Teaching the truth: Children receive a Bible of their very own, in their own language. They can learn about Jesus continually through Bible classes, worship and prayer. Surrounded by loving pastors, staff and volunteers, they see living examples of what Jesus is like when they visit their Compassion center.
When children are cared for in this way, when they know Jesus and his ways, they can become changemakers in their families and communities, multiplying disciples for generations to come.
The Great Commission calls each of us to step into the ongoing mission of spreading God’s kingdom. As you disciple those around you, allow Jesus’ final promise in Matthew 28 to strengthen you: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” He’s with you.
