What is the meaning of the Great Commission?
Retrieved texts include Mark 16:15, Acts 13:47, Acts 14:7, Acts 28:31.
The texts do not directly address broader modern formulations; NO DIRECT REFERENCE IN SOURCE TEXTS and INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE apply beyond retrieved passages.
THEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
1. QUESTION
What is the meaning of the Great Commission, as understood from the primary biblical texts that articulate Christ's command to His disciples regarding the proclamation of the gospel?
2. PRIMARY TEXTUAL EVIDENCE
The retrieved texts provide direct statements regarding the commission given to the disciples:
The Commission Itself:
"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." — Mark 16:15 (KJV)
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" — Matthew 28:19 (KJV)
The Scope (Universal):
"And the gospel must first be published among all nations." — Mark 13:10 (KJV)
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." — Matthew 24:14 (KJV)
"I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth." — Acts 13:47 (KJV)
The Content (The Gospel):
"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." — Mark 1:15 (KJV)
"Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence" — Acts 28:31 (KJV)
The Execution:
"And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following." — Mark 16:20 (KJV)
"And how shall they preach, except they be sent?" — Romans 10:15 (KJV)
3. LINGUISTIC/HISTORICAL DATA
From the texts provided:
- "Preach" (κηρύσσω/kēryssō implied): The repeated use of "preach" in the KJV corresponds to proclamation or heralding—a public announcement of authoritative news.
- "Gospel" (εὐαγγέλιον/euangelion implied): Rendered "gospel" throughout, denoting "good news" or "glad tidings" (cf. Romans 10:15: "glad tidings of good things").
- "All nations" / "every creature": The texts emphasize universality—geographic ("all the world," "ends of the earth") and ethnic ("all nations," "Gentiles").
- "Teach" (μαθητεύσατε implied in Matthew 28:19): The KJV renders this "teach," suggesting the making of disciples through instruction.
4. SCHOLARLY POSITIONS
Based solely on the textual evidence provided, the following interpretive elements emerge:
| Element | Textual Basis | |--------|----------------| | Command to Go | Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19 | | Universal Scope | Mark 13:10; Matthew 24:14; Acts 13:47 | | Content: The Gospel/Kingdom | Mark 1:15; Acts 28:31; Matthew 4:23 | | Method: Preaching & Teaching | 1 Corinthians 1:17; 2 Timothy 4:2 | | Sacramental Element | Matthew 28:19 (baptism mentioned) | | Divine Enablement | Mark 16:20 ("the Lord working with them") | | Eschatological Purpose | Matthew 24:14 ("then shall the end come") |
The texts do not resolve debates regarding whether the Commission applies to all believers or specifically to apostolic office, nor do they elaborate on the theological content of "the gospel" beyond repentance, belief, and the kingdom of God.
5. SOURCES
- Mark 16:15, 20 (KJV)
- Mark 13:10 (KJV)
- Mark 1:15 (KJV)
- Matthew 28:19 (KJV)
- Matthew 24:14 (KJV)
- Matthew 4:23 (KJV)
- Acts
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE: retrieved texts do not resolve this question explicitly.