Where Was the Great Commission Delivered?
by Pastor Dag Heward-MIlls
GO YE THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28:19-20
It is obvious that the Great Commission was repeated in various forms and in different places. At various times and at various places Jesus’ last words seemed to be similar. Slight variations of the Great Commission seemed to be given at different places and at different times. Beware of repeated last words!
1. Matthew’s Great Commission was given on a mountain in Galilee.
Then THE ELEVEN DISCIPLES WENT AWAY INTO GALILEE, INTO A MOUNTAIN where Jesus had appointed them…
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. GO YE THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28:16, 18-20
2. Mark’s Great Commission was given when He appeared to His disciples at dinnertime.
AFTERWARD HE APPEARED UNTO THE ELEVEN AS THEY SAT AT MEAT, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was raised.
And he said unto them, GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD, AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Mark 16:14-18
3. Luke’s Great Commission was given at a dinner in Jerusalem.
And they rose up the same hour, and RETURNED TO JERUSALEM, AND FOUND THE ELEVEN GATHERED TOGETHER, and them that were with them, Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them “in breaking of bread.
And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus “spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? AND THEY GAVE HIM A PIECE OF A BROILED FISH, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: AND THAT REPENTANCE AND REMISSION OF SINS SHOULD BE PREACHED IN HIS NAME AMONG ALL NATIONS, BEGINNING AT JERUSALEM.
Luke 24:33-47
4. John’s Great Commission was given by the sea of Tiberias.
AFTER THESE THINGS JESUS SHEWED HIMSELF AGAIN TO THE DISCIPLES AT THE SEA OF TIBERIAS; and on this wise shewed he himself….So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of “Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, FEED MY LAMBS.
John 21:1, 15
5. The Great Commission in Acts was given on the Mount of Olives just before He ascended in a cloud.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: AND YE SHALL BE WITNESSES UNTO ME BOTH IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL JUDAEA, AND IN SAMARIA, AND UNTO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. THEN RETURNED THEY UNTO JERUSALEM FROM THE MOUNT CALLED OLIVET, WHICH IS FROM JERUSALEM A SABBATH DAY’S JOURNEY.
Acts 1:8-12