Article Reflection: “Globalisation of Missions:
An Exegesis on the Great Commission (Mt 28:18– 20)” by Mookgo S. Kgatle
Rebecca Elkins (Preiss)
L28247700
GLST650
April 2, 2023
Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................................1
Summary........................................................................................................................................1
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................3
Bibliography...................................................................................................................................4
ii
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Introduction
The authority that Jesus granted the disciples in preaching and teaching the message of
the good news to the nations, through cultural dimensions, and the Great Commission that leads
to global missions are both heavily emphasized in the article "Globalisation of Missions: An
Exegesis on the Great Commission (Mt 28:18–20)" by Mookgo S. Kgatle. The disciples of
Christ were given the authority and power of the indwelling Spirit, which is beyond all human
language and literature, to carry out their mission. Kgatle assembles the evidence for this
appointment in the article's thorough historical research, which draws the reader's attention to
Jesus' transcendent commissioning in Matthew 28:18–20 to a relevant cultural focus in spreading
the gospel to all people groups. The movement of the gospel message, by the unwavering grace
and authority of a God who is calling his diverse people to unity in Christ, finds much relevance
in the cultural and global implications, as Jesus' death and resurrection point to the continuation
of this commissioning throughout all nations.
Summary
The theological context of Matthew 28:18-20 is called the Great Commission and is
communicated by Jesus to his disciples in the context of teaching through missionary work,
bringing all nations to know the gospel message of salvation. Jesus is glorified as the gospel's
message is found by those who accept the invitation to know his grace. “It has been recognised
by Finkbeiner (1991:16) that the closing pericope (28:18–20) is fully intended to be the climax
towards which the entire gospel moves.”1 The hope of glory in teaching and preaching the good
news is the transmission of the gospel through generations. Through personal testimonies of
1 Mookgo Kgatle. "Globalisation of missions: An exegesis on the Great Commission (Mt 28:18–20)" In
die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi [Online], Volume 52 Number 1 (11 July 2018). 2.
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transformation brought about by the work of the Holy Spirit, this is spreading the message of
Christ to every location, every person, and every facet of social justice moving forward into the
future.
The reader will gain an understanding of the authority given by Jesus through the work of
the Holy Spirit in the believer, working to establish the missionary's ability, despite the devil's
cunning plans but strengthened by the divine nature of Christ, thanks to Kgatle's exegetical
research. The disciples received the power to preach the gospel, heal the sick, calm the storm,
and rebuke the enemy. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me," it says. This
supports the idea that making disciples should follow a social interaction-based model that
consistently points to Christ. In other words, we make disciples who follow Jesus, not disciples
who follow us, with the grace and help of God. “The immediate literary context of the command
to make disciples is the risen Jesus’ claim of authority over heaven and earth.”2 Jesus claims
himself as Lord and all power is his.
This brings the missionary disciples to make the trip to all other nations declaring Jesus’
power, praising his name, and bringing the good news to all. There were no exceptions to the
power of the good news, preaching the living Word not only to the Jew but to the Gentile, not
only to the sheep, but to all ethnicity in each unique language. “In this way of thinking, the
Trinity, which is the centrality of the Christological identity in Christian doctrine, is marginalised
by the beneficial work of the Son for human beings on earth, just as the centrality of the power
relation between different groups of people is relativised by the welfare of all human beings.”3
And with that commission, Jesus commanded obedience of what he taught, repentance, and
baptism as he would be with them always in all cultures. “Christian mission is not about the
2 Mookgo Kgatle. "Globalisation of missions: An exegesis on the Great Commission (Mt 28:18–20)" In die
Skriflig/In Luce Verbi [Online], Volume 52 Number 1 (11 July 2018). 3.
3 Mookgo Kgatle. 4.
3
promotion of one culture, but the extention of the global kingdom of God.”4 Furthermore, the
Great Commission is timeless by the power of Jesus, the love of God, continues throughout the
ages through the Holy Spirit, and relevant to all nations and times.
Conclusion
As a reminder that Jesus is more than just a teacher. He is the Lord, the declaration made
before the Great Commission. As many people believe is pertinent to Christianity, the mission is
to preach the gospel to everyone, not just in the west. This is for all of humanity. To fulfill their
mission to make disciples worldwide, the disciples of Christ were given the authority and power
of the indwelling Spirit, which transcends all human language and literature. His presence would
provide the disciple with comfort and the strength they would need to bring all humanity to a
saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Since Jesus' death and resurrection indicate that this
commissioning will continue throughout all nations, the movement of the gospel message finds
much relevance in the cultural and global implications of a God calling his diverse people to
unity in Christ.
4 Mookgo Kgatle. "Globalisation of missions: An exegesis on the Great Commission (Mt 28:18–20)" In die
Skriflig/In Luce Verbi [Online], Volume 52 Number 1 (11 July 2018). 6.
