Meaning, commentary and cross references
Matthew 28:20
“teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
NIV · New International Version
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
WEB · World English Bible
teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
What does Matthew 28:20 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Matthew 28:20
Teaching them to observe all things,.... All ordinances, not only baptism, but the Lord's supper; all positive institutions, and moral duties; all obligations, both to God and men; all relative duties that respect the world, or one another, those that are without, and those that are within; and these are to be taught them, and therefore to be insisted on in the ministry of the word; and not merely in order that they may know them, and have the theory of them, but that the may put them into practice: whatsoever I have commanded you; every thing that Christ has commanded, be it what it will, and nothing else; for Christ's ministers are not to teach for doctrines the commandments of men; or…
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
Teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. 15. And he said to them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16. He who shall believe and be baptized shall be saved; but he who shall believe shall be condemned. 17. And these signs shall follow those who shall believe: In my name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Matthew 28:17–20 (WEB)
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
- Isaiah 41:10
Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
- Joshua 1:5
No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you.
- Acts 18:9–10
The Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Don’t be afraid, but speak and don’t be silent;
- John 14:18–23
I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you.
- Psalms 46:7
- 1 John 2:3–4
This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments.
- Genesis 39:2–3
The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. He was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
- Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.”
Key words
In the Baptist Catechism
- Q56. What is required in the second commandment?
The second commandment requires the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances, as God has appointed in His Word.