Was Matthew 28 19 Added to the Bible?

Author Alan Bianco

Posted Nov 12, 2022

Reads 61

Library with lights

Was Matthew 28:19 added to the Bible? The short answer to this question is no. In fact, Matthew 28:19 existed long before the Bible and is part of the larger body of early Christian literature that was collected, organized, and eventually canonized into what we now know as the Bible.

First, it’s important to understand the concept of canonization and why it is significant to the study of the Bible. Canonization is the process by which certain texts become accepted as authoritative and sacred by a particular tradition or faith system. Christianity, for example, canonized a wide range of early Christian literature, including the four Gospels, the letters of Paul, the Book of Revelation, and some other works, such as the Shepherd of Hermas and the Letter of Barnabas.

You may have heard the phrase “Bible verses”; however, this term is somewhat misleading in that it implies that all scripture was added to the Bible. In fact, many texts were already part of a wider and older Christian tradition by the time they were canonized by early church councils. Matthew 28:19 is one such example. This verse—which reads, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”—is a perfect example of a scripture that had existed in some form before it was accepted by the Church as part of the New Testament.

The earliest evidence for Matthew 28:19 can be found in the Didache, an early Christian writing among the collection of texts considered as part of the Apostolic Fathers. Scholars, theologians, and historians believe that the Didache originated somewhere between AD 50 and 150 and was likely written in Greek. In its sixth chapter, this ancient text includes a section that is nearly identical to the Matthew 28:19 passage found in the Bible. It reads, “Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water.” Given this parallel, scholars believe that the author of the Didache likely drew upon Matthew 28:19 when they wrote their text.

If we look a bit further, additional evidence can be found in the writings of Justin Martyr, who is believed to have lived in the second century. It’s likely that Justin Martyr had a copy of the Gospel of Matthew

What is the significance of Matthew 28:19 in the Bible?

The Bible is filled with some of the most profound and timeless messages of faith. One such message is the great commission mentioned in Matthew 28:19, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Found in the New Testament of the Bible, this famous passage is one of the most widely quoted scripture passages in Christianity and speaks of a deep and important responsibility of love and obedience that believers are tasked with following.

At its core, Matthew 28:19 speaks of the call to evangelism. As followers of Jesus Christ, believers are to share the good news of the gospel with people from all nations and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This call to evangelism is found throughout the Bible, but this is the most memorable and widely quoted passage. The phrase “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” has been distilled into a core component of the mission of Christianity.

The importance of evangelism cannot be overstated. It is one of the primary tasks of believers - to spread the love of God to others throughout the world. This is no easy task, as it requires believers to put aside their own prejudices, pride and agendas in order to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. It also involves much prayer and faith, as the Spirit must be free to reach the hearts and minds of those who are willing to hear and accept the message of God’s love.

This passage also speaks to the power of community and connection. By going into all nations and baptizing those who have accepted the gospel, we are showing that God loves a united people and desires to lift us up as one body in Christ. This is not just a call to evangelism, but a call to come together as a unified body of believers, standing together against a broken world that desires to divide us. In this way, Matthew 28:19 highlights the beauty of unity and how we are to act as one big family in service to God.

In the Christian tradition, Matthew 28:19 has come to serve as an important reminder of the call to act with faith, humility and obedience to God’s will. It is a reminder to love without limits, to share the gospel with all who seek to learn and to stand united as one body of believers in service to our Lord

What is the context of Matthew 28:19 in the Bible?

The context of Matthew 28:19, one of the most well-known and most quoted verses in the Bible, is an excerpt found in the New Testament Gospel of Matthew. It is often referred to as the “Great Commission” because it commands followers of Christ to spread the Word of God to all corners of the world.

This scripture proclaims the mandate of Jesus Christ to His disciples (represented in the verse as the words of God): “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”.

A significant event immediately preceded this verse. Jesus had recently appeared to His disciples after His resurrection from the dead. He had presented them with tangible proof of His resurrection in the form of the wounds that had been inflicted on Him during His Crucifixion. The power of God had been displayed to them once more and Jesus wanted to ensure that the lesson learned from His resurrection would stay with them—that death is not an end, but a beginning to a new life in Christ.

This is why Jesus commanded His disciples to spread the Gospel to every nation, every people group, and every culture. He knew that the power of His disciple’s faith would spread like wildfire in every corner of the world, uniting all believers in Christ, regardless of their background or beliefs.

Consequently, this command is not only applicable to the original disciples, but to all of us. We are called to evangelize, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, to speak about the God who loves us, and to lead people to righteousness and to a life of grace.

This verse sits in the greater context of salvation history. We often take the narrative of scripture out of context, forgetting the “bigger picture” of the Christian faith. We forget that this verse was given to us in a world of separation and division. We forget that the disciples were called to bring unity to an otherwise broken world.

Just as this verse is contextualized by its passage in the Gospel of Matthew, it also needs to be taken in its full cultural and historical context as well. This passage is a timeless reminder to us today of the importance of spreading the Gospel. It is a call to unity and to peace, and a reminder of the deep and everlasting love God has for all of us.

What is the meaning of Matthew 28:19?

The meaning of Matthew 28:19 is one of the most important and often quoted verses in the Bible. It is commonly known as the “Great Commission” and serves as a reminder of the work of Jesus, who lived and died in order to save humanity. In the verses, Jesus commands his disciples to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

This verse is more than just a poetic reminder of Jesus’ life and teachings; it is a reminder for Christians of the mission for which we have been commanded to fulfill. Jesus’ words in this verse serve to remind us that we are to spread the gospel and offer salvation through Jesus Christ to others who are still lost in their sin. This does not necessarily have to involve speaking the gospel in foreign countries; it is more about actively striving for the furthering of God’s kingdom throughout the world, including right in our own backyards. As Jesus says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” We are called to use whatever opportunities are at our disposal to reach out to and speak into the lives of those around us.

In addition to standing as a reminder of our mission, this verse also serves to comfort those who may be struggling with the idea that they or their friends and family may be beyond redemption. Jesus himself says that “all nations” can be made disciples if they are willing to accept Him and abide in the words that He left us. Even those in the darkest of places have the chance to receive salvation and a new life in Jesus Christ.

Ultimately, Jesus is calling us to go and share the Good News of the gospel with all nations around the world. He desires that everyone come to a knowledge of the truth and be saved through His name and the power of His blood shed on the cross. That is the purpose and the goal of Matthew 28:19—to proclaim the love of God to every corner of the world —and to invite all to be reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ.

What is the importance of Matthew 28:19 in Christianity?

The scripture passage in Matthew 28:19 is a foundational and crucial text to Christianity and is known as the Great Commission. It reads, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” These words are spoken by Jesus Christ himself and have served as a directive and an inspirational guide to the Christian church throughout its history.

The phrase, “Go therefore” is seen as a call to action; a command to go out into the world with the gospel and share it with others. It is a mandate for the church, both collectively and as individual members, to be active in evangelism, discipleship, and baptizing. This is a challenge to go out and make disciples even as Jesus did.

The Great Commission gives examples of the essential components of Christian belief and life. It emphasizes that a person should not only be following the teachings of Jesus but should go and seek to introduce others to them. Evangelism and sharing the gospel message of Jesus is highlighted here. This passage also speaks to discipleship, which is the idea of learning Christ’s teachings and seeking to live by them. The phrase, “baptizing them” also serves as a reminder of the need for a person to publicly profess their faith in Jesus Christ and be baptized to signify this.

The Great Commission provides an example of service, selflessness, and dedication to God and His mission. In this way, it provides Christians with an example of what it means to have a life of faith, to be faithful followers of Christ and to share the gospel message with others. It demonstrates the importance of spreading the good news of Jesus and the necessity of personally engaging in evangelism and helping bring others to Christ.

The Great Commission is seen as an invitation for believers to follow Jesus’ command and to live a life of faith with devotion and commitment. This commandment challenges Christians to be active Christians in their local communities, giving back and helping as many as they can. It is seen as a call to personal holiness and selfless service, as we seek to do the will of God.

In addition, the Great Commission serves as an inspiration for unity among believers. It serves as a reminder that Christianity is a universal faith, open to all people, everywhere in the world. It emphasizes that there are no boundaries or limits when it comes

How does Matthew 28:19 relate to the other teachings of Jesus?

The Bible verse of Matthew 28:19 is one of the most important verses in the entire Bible which commands Christians to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This command has become known as the Great Commission and serves as one of the primary teachings that Jesus has left for the Church. As such, Matthew 28:19 is deeply intertwined with the other teachings of Jesus throughout the Gospels, providing insight into the very heart of His message and mission for humanity.

First and foremost, Matthew 28:19 is rooted in Jesus’s emphasis on the importance of relationships. Jesus’s ministry was largely focused on building relationships with people and teaching them to draw closer to God. This same theme of relationship-building is echoed in the Great Commission, as it calls for believers to “make disciples”. This involves a two-way relationship: believers investing themselves in the lives of the unsaved, and then inviting people to enter into a relationship with God through Jesus. This creates a sacred bond between believer and unbeliever and certain other teachings of Jesus related to interpersonal relationships are reinforced through this theme, such as the importance of love, forgiveness, and grace.

Another key teaching of Jesus that is seen in Matthew 28:19 is His emphasis on mission and service. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus frequently refers to His mission to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10) and “preach the good news” (Mark 16:15). Similarly, the Great Commission is essentially a mission commandment, with Jesus giving believers a specific task to carry out. Thus, by evangelizing the nations and inviting people to become disciples of Jesus, believers are following the model of Jesus’s own mission, i.e. of sacrificing personal comfort for the sake of doing God’s work. The same type of sacrificial love and service that Jesus demonstrated throughout His earthly ministry is still being carried out today through the mandate of the Great Commission.

Finally, Matthew 28:19 is reflective of several key facts regarding Jesus Himself and the nature of His Kingdom. First, Jesus is described throughout the Gospels as being God incarnate, e.g. the Son of God (John 20:31). Thus, when Jesus’s disciples were commanded to baptize people in the “name

What is the historical background of Matthew 28:19?

The passage from Matthew 28:19 is one of the most recognized and quoted lines from the entire Bible, as it serves as the cornerstone for the Christian faith. In this passage, Jesus has just been resurrected and is speaking to his disciples for the first time, saying “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” It can be easily seen why this verse is so important to the Christian faith, as it expresses the central precept of the religion: to go out and share the Gospel with all people.

To get an understanding of the historic context behind these powerful words, we must look at the exact circumstances in which they were spoken by Jesus. The scene is commonly known as The Great Commission, which is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Matthew’s version is the most widely used and expands on the event, telling the story of Jesus ascending into Heaven and sending the disciples forth to “make disciples of all nations.”

The first thing to note is that this event takes place in the context of the historical events that were happening during the time of Jesus’ ministry. It was a particularly tumultuous time in the ancient world, with various nations competing for power and control in the Middle East. Crucial to our understanding of the Great Commission is the knowledge that Jesus was seen by many Jews as coming from the same bloodline as Moses and David, anointing him with the authority to bring salvation and a lasting peace to the people.

It was only natural, then, that these disciples would use the Great Commission to bring a message of hope and healing to people in need. As the last recorded words of Jesus on earth, this command to go out and baptize nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit would have been seen as a direct call to action for the disciples to be a witness of the power of God. Jesus’ powerful words were not only a message of salvation, but also of empowerment and transformation.

In the centuries that have followed, the Great Commission has served as the organizing principle of the Christian faith, with followers of Jesus seeing it as an obligation to share the Gospel with all nations. It has been viewed as an invitation to bring the gift of salvation to countries and cultures all around the world. It has also been seen as a redemptive

How does Matthew 28:19 fit into the overall narrative of the Bible?

The Bible is a vastly diverse collection of writings, ranging from books of poetry and prophecy to letters and gospels. These texts, taken together, reveal the overarching story of God's covenant with humanity, the incarnation of Jesus, and his mission to redeem humanity. Jesus' own words are among the best sources for understanding what he did and why, and one of the most famous and meaningful passages of his teachings is found in Matthew 28:19. This particular passage is essential for understanding the Bible’s overall narrative and the importance of Jesus' mission.

The passage in Matthew 28:19 reads as follows: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all I have commanded you.” This is one of Jesus' last commands to his disciples prior to his ascension into heaven and it is an instruction to share the good news of the gospel far and wide. Jesus is telling his disciples to spread his message, not just to the Jews, but to “all nations” of the world. This mission of evangelism is central to the overall narrative of the Bible and it emphasizes the importance of evangelism and missions.

In the Old Testament, God called Abraham to be the “father of many nations” (Genesis 17:5). As Abraham’s descendants the Israelites were chosen by God to be a light unto the nations, sharing his word and ultimately his salvation with all peoples (Isaiah 42:6). Through Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19, Christians are called to continue this mission of evangelism and to share the gospel far and wide. This is part of God’s overall goal of calling all to repentance and salvation, a mission God has been pursuing from the very beginnings of the Bible.

Through Matthew 28:19, Jesus also instructs his disciples to teach the new converts to follow all the things he has commanded them. This emphasis on following and obeying God’s commands is another important aspect of the Bible’s overall narrative. Throughout the Bible, the importance of following God’s commands is repeatedly emphasized. In the Old Testament, obedience to the Law of Moses was essential to the life of faith. The New Testament also conveys the importance of obeying God’s commands. Jesus himself taught that perfect love involves

What is the theological significance of Matthew 28:19?

Matthew 28:19 is a foundational scripture for Christians, most commonly known as the Great Commission. This scripture states, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” It serves as a central theological truth and is rooted in Jesus’s final instructions to his disciples before his ascension, making it a core belief of Christian teaching.

This scripture has many implications for the work of spreading the gospel and sanctification. For example, it affirms that Jesus himself was behind the mission of evangelism and it places responsibility upon Christians to spread the word and make disciples among all nations. In this way, it reminds Christians that they not only have the right, but the obligation to spread the gospel and make disciples of those who have not yet heard it. This upholds the idea of missional living, which seeks to recognize the spiritual commission of Jesus Christ over our own desires and values.

On a more individual level, this scripture implores Christians to recognize the centrality of Jesus in their spiritual life. Christ’s commission to “go and make disciples” unveils the importance of faithfully following him as a disciple. This implies that as Christians, we should strive to be obedient to His Word and teachings, so that we may make disciples ourselves. Furthermore, baptism, although not necessary for salvation, is an outward sign of belief and commitment to the Lord.

The theological significance of the Great Commission is not just of historical note; it is still relevant today. This scripture calls Christians to be bold in their faith, to stand up and be willing to share their faith with others and make disciples of them. This can be done through evangelism, missionary work, and by leading others in Christ-centered lives. As long as people are willing to follow God and make His Word known, the Great Commission will continue to be fulfilled and God’s promises will be fulfilled as well.

In conclusion, the theological significance of Matthew 28:19 is found in its reminder to Christians to continue in the mission of spreading the gospel and making disciples. This understanding should be kept in mind as Christians participate in their daily lives and mission. This scripture, however, is more than just a historical legacy—it is an essential teaching for the life of a faithful Christian in today’s changing world.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of Matthew 28 19?

Matthew 28:19 was invented along with the Apostles' Creed to counter so-called heretics and Gnostics that baptized in the name of Jesus Christ!

Is Matthew 28 19 the “Great Commission of Jesus Christ?

No, this text is not the "Great Commission" of Jesus Christ. The phrase has no historical or biblical precedent and was likely invented to support the newer doctrine of the Trinity.

Where can I find Matthew 28 in the New Testament?

Matthew 28 is found in the New Testament in the book of Matthew.

Is Matthew 28 the first non-Biblical Roman Catholic creed?

No, Matthew 28:19 is not the "Great Commission of Jesus Christ." While this creed does include some words that were not found in the original New Testament writing, it was not original to the Catholic Church. The text originated with the heretical Arians during the fourth century and has been used ever since by Roman Catholics as their official creed.

What is the origin of Matthew 28?

This particular Creed appears to be a late addition to the Bible, possibly dating to the fourth or fifth century AD.

Alan Bianco

Alan Bianco

Writer at CGAA

View Alan's Profile

Alan Bianco is an accomplished article author and content creator with over 10 years of experience in the field. He has written extensively on a range of topics, from finance and business to technology and travel. After obtaining a degree in journalism, he pursued a career as a freelance writer, beginning his professional journey by contributing to various online magazines.

View Alan's Profile