What Commands Did Jesus Give Before Leaving His Disciples?
The closing moments of Jesus’ ministry on earth are some of the most significant and formative for the Christian faith. Jesus’ commands before his ascension serve as the foundation for the church’s mission, identity, and ongoing work in the world. These instructions form Christ’s “Great Commission,” a living mandate that continues to shape Christian thought and practice.
What did Jesus say to His Disciples Before Leaving?
After Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared to his disciples over a period of forty days, speaking to them about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). These post-resurrection appearances were meant to confirm the reality of his victory over death but also to prepare the disciples for the new phase of God’s redemptive plan. The Gospels and the book of Acts record several key moments where Jesus imparted his final instructions, culminating in his ascension.
Matthew 28:18-20 is a passage that has become central to Christian practice: “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20)
The Universal Scope of the Mission
Jesus’ final command leaves no single person left out of this promise. The directive to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) signals a dramatic expansion of the mission beyond the boundaries of Israel. This is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). The inclusion of all nations reflects the global vision of God’s redemptive plan, a theme that runs throughout the Old and New Testaments.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells his disciples: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
The progression from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth shows the dramatic shift to the outward movement of the gospel. This is how it was always meant to be. The disciples are not to remain in the relative comfort of their familiar surroundings but are to carry the message of Jesus to every corner of the world.
Making Disciples: The Heart of the Command
At the core of Jesus’ final instructions is the command to “make disciples.” The Greek verb used here, matheteusate, conveys the idea of guiding individuals into a committed, lifelong relationship with Jesus. Discipleship involves a holistic transformation of life, characterized by learning from, following, and becoming like Jesus.
This process of making disciples is much more than an initial act of conversion. It is a transformation that encompasses the entire journey of faith, from the first encounter with the gospel to ongoing growth in obedience and maturity. Jesus sent the church on its mission to acquaint people in every place with himself. As the church makes disciples, people can admire, worship, trust, follow, and obey Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
Baptizing in the Name of the Triune God
Integral to the process of making disciples is the command to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Jesus intended baptism a public declaration of faith and an initiation into the community of believers. The Trinitarian formula used by Jesus shows the unity and equality of the three persons of the Godhead, a foundational doctrine of historic Christianity.
Baptism signifies repentance, the washing away of sin, and the believer’s identification with Jesus in his death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). It is both a sign of God’s grace and a pledge of the believer’s commitment to follow Jesus. By commanding his disciples to baptize, Jesus establishes this practice as an essential component of discipleship and community life.
Teaching Obedience to All Jesus’ Commands
Jesus’ commission does not end with making disciples and baptizing them. He further instructs his followers to teach new disciples “to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). The Christian life is dynamic with continual growth in understanding and obedience. It is one thing to learn about Jesus. But to truly know him, and he know you, by living out his teachings in every area of life… that is discipleship.
The scope of this teaching is comprehensive: “all that I have commanded you.” This includes Jesus’ ethical teachings, his instructions about the kingdom of God, his call to love God and neighbor, and his example of humility and service. The church is entrusted with the responsibility of transmitting the full counsel of Jesus’ teaching, not selectively emphasizing certain aspects while neglecting others. As Paul later wrote, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
The Promise of Jesus’ Presence
Recognizing the daunting nature of the task, Jesus concludes his commission with a promise: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). This assurance is a comforting and profound reality. Though Jesus would soon ascend to the Father, his presence would remain with his followers through the Holy Spirit. This is as true now as it was then.
This promise echoes God’s assurances to leaders throughout the Old Testament, such as Moses and Joshua, that his presence would accompany them in their mission (Exodus 3:12; Joshua 1:9). For the disciples, the presence of Jesus would be the source of courage, guidance, and empowerment as they faced the challenges of proclaiming the gospel in a hostile world.
Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
The book of Acts highlights the necessity of the Holy Spirit’s empowerment for the fulfillment of Jesus’ mission. Jesus instructs his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they are “clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost marks the beginning of the church’s mission to the world, equipping believers with the gifts and boldness needed to bear witness to Jesus.
These commands are not limited to the original disciples but are binding on all believers throughout history. The church is called to be a missionary community, continually reaching out to new people and places with the message of Jesus. This mission is the very reason for the church’s existence.
The role of the Holy Spirit is central to our mission. As Jesus declares in Acts 1:8, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses.” The Spirit, for those who receive it, enables us to proclaim the gospel with clarity and conviction, to perform acts of compassion and justice, and to persevere and have courage in the face of opposition.
Conclusion - What Commands Did Jesus Give Before Leaving His Disciples?
The commands Jesus gave before leaving his disciples are the foundation of the church’s mission and identity. They call us to a life of intentional outreach, holistic discipleship, and reliance on the presence and power of God. Rooted in the authority of Jesus and the promise of his abiding presence, these commands continue to shape the church’s witness in the world. As followers of Jesus, the call to “go and make disciples of all nations” remains as urgent and relevant today as it was on the day it was first given.