Mat 28:19-20 | TNotes | STEP | 28:19 go and: Literally going , a participle that supports the main imperative, make disciples . Matthew probably intended go to be understood as a separate command (as it is translated) and not as a circumstantial modifier (i.e., while you go; cp. the same construction in 9:6 ; Acts 10:20 ). • make disciples: A disciple is one who repents of sin, trusts in Jesus for salvation, and obeys his teachings. • all the nations: The mission to the Gentile nations formally began here (see Matt 10:5-6 ; 15:24 ; see also 1:1 ; 2:1-12 ; 8:5-13 ; 21:43 ; 24:14 ; 26:13 ). • Two aspects of making disciples are baptizing and teaching (28:20 ).. Baptism indicates public identification with, and surrender to, Jesus and the work he has done for salvation (see 3:13-17 ; 10:32-33 ; 20:28 ; 26:28 ; Acts 2:38 ; Rom 6:1-11 ; 1 Pet 3:21 ). • In the name of means entrance into a relationship and its benefits, which come to those who truly believe. • Father ... Son ... Holy Spirit: This is a formulaic expression for the nature of God as a trinity (see also 1 Cor 12:4-6 ; 2 Cor 13:14 ; Eph 4:4-6 ; 2 Thes 2:13-14 ; 1 Pet 1:2 ; Rev 1:4-6 ).

28:19 ^a go and: Literally going, a participle that supports the main imperative, make disciples. Matthew probably intended go to be understood as a separate command (as it is translated) and not as a circumstantial modifier (i.e., while you go; cp. the same construction in 9:6 ^b; Acts 10:20 ^c).

• make disciples: A disciple is one who repents of sin, trusts in Jesus for salvation, and obeys his teachings.

• all the nations: The mission to the Gentile nations formally began here (see Matt 10:5-6 ^d; 15:24 ^e; see also 1:1 ^f; 2:1-12 ^g; 8:5-13 ^h; 21:43 ⁱ; 24:14 ^j; 26:13 ^k).

• Two aspects of making disciples are baptizing and teaching (28:20 ^l).. Baptism indicates public identification with, and surrender to, Jesus and the work he has done for salvation (see 3:13-17 ^m; 10:32-33 ⁿ; 20:28 ^o; 26:28 ^p; Acts 2:38 ^q; Rom 6:1-11 ^r; 1 Pet 3:21 ^s).

• In the name of means entrance into a relationship and its benefits, which come to those who truly believe.

• Father ... Son ... Holy Spirit: This is a formulaic expression for the nature of God as a trinity (see also 1 Cor 12:4-6 ^t; 2 Cor 13:14 ^u; Eph 4:4-6 ^v; 2 Thes 2:13-14 ^w; 1 Pet 1:2 ^x; Rev 1:4-6 ^y).
28:20 ^z Teach: The disciples’ curriculum is comprised of all the commands of Jesus (e.g., the Sermon on the Mount, chs 5–7 ^aa). The church is to be marked by its obedience to Jesus’ commands (5:17-20 ^ab; 7:13-27 ^ac). Jesus’ authority and presence are the basis for the disciples’ mission (see also 1:23 ^ad; 18:20 ^ae).