Meaning, commentary and cross references
Matthew 28:18
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
NIV · New International Version
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
WEB · World English Bible
Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
What does Matthew 28:18 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came and spake unto them,.... To the eleven disciples and apostles; for though there might be so large a number as before observed, yet the following words were only spoken to the apostles: saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth; which is to be understood of him, not as God, who has the same original and underived power and authority over all creatures, and things in heaven and earth, as the Father has; but as mediator, to whom all things are delivered by the Father; and not of a power of doing this, or the other thing, or of omnipotence, being the Almighty; nor of doing miracles, and forgiving sins, which he had, and exercised before his death and resurrection…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Matthew 28:16–20
18. And Jesus approached and spoke to them. His approach unquestionably removed all hesitation. Before relating that the office of teaching was committed to the disciples, Matthew says that Christ began by speaking of his power; and not without reason.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Matthew 28:15–20 (WEB)
15So they took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues until today. 16But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them. 17When they saw him, they bowed down to him; but some doubted. 18Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Cross references
- John 3:35
The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.
- 1 Peter 3:22
who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.
- Matthew 11:27
All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.
- Ephesians 1:20–22
which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,
- Hebrews 2:8
You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don’t yet see all things subjected to him.
- Daniel 7:13–14
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him.
- 1 Corinthians 15:27
For, “He put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when he says, “All things are put in subjection”, it is evident that he is excepted who subjected all things to him.
- John 17:2
even as you gave him authority over all flesh, so he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him.