“To All the Gentiles”: A Jewish Perspective on the Great Commission

Abstract

Matthew's “Great Commission” (28:16–20) traditionally serves as the mandate for Christians to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus to “all the nations,” including G-d's “chosen people,” the Jews. Both historical- and literary-critical analyses of Matthew's narrative, however, suggest that this emphasis is misplaced. Matthew's Jesus enjoins his followers to “make disciples of all the Gentiles,” for the mission has shifted away from Israel. Whereas Jews remain within the missionary purview, they are not its principal focus. As an expansion of the Mission Discourse of chapter 10, the Commission highlights Jesus' commands concerning social justice, healing, and compassion. Using these points as its base, this essay also explores the reasons why Jews and Baptists fail to understand each other, how Baptists might effectively implement the command to “make disciples,” the means by which “teaching them” is best accomplished, the import of the notice that the new disciples are to be “baptized in the name of the father, son, and holy spirit,” and the meaning of “obey all that I have commanded you.”