The Commissioning of the Apostles (28:16–20)

If, as we surely should, we take ‘brothers’ (10) in a wider sense than the Eleven, then there were more than the Apostles on the mountain, and we can identify the appearance with some probability with that of 1 C. 15:6. Mt., however, ignores the others. Here was the consummation of the apostles’ first appointment. Then He had given them a limited commission (10:5 f.) because His own commission was limited (15:24). Now His authority was worldwide and absolute, so their commission was also worldwide. The commission was given to the Eleven as the representatives of the Church to be. This is not a command to each individual (more are called to stay at home than to go) but to the Church as a whole. There may be good reasons why this individual or that should not go, but there are never good reasons for the Church’s failing to reach out and go.

We need not be surprised at the first hesitant steps of the apostolic church. Far more important, as we learn from Ac., is that whenever it became clear that a new step forward was of God, the leaders, at any rate, accepted it without hesitation.

19. baptizing them in (eis) the name of the Father . . .: More literally ‘into the name’, i.e. as the possession of, cf. note on 18:20. There is no suggestion that men are made disciples by being baptized. NEB is nearer the sense with ‘make all nations my disciples; baptize men everywhere in the name . . .’

The Ascension is not mentioned. Once the Commission had been given, it mattered not how the Lord of the Church moved to the right hand of the Father, where He waits until His enemies be made His footstool.