INTRODUCTION
Mookgo Kgatle in his article, Globalisation of missions: An exegesis on the Great Commission states that Matthew 28:18-20 (English Standard Version) is all about the global missions.[1] In my critical review of this article, I will show how Mr. Kgatle’s claimed exegeses is wrong. The great commission is not all about global missions but more about cultural, racial borders and challenging our own comfort zones (borders) that we face where we live, and this should be the focus of this command and from this focus global missions will be impacted for Christ.[2]
Critical Review
The author never attempts to exegete the words go, or nations, and I feel that is where his exegesis fails. The word go comes first, emphatically before make disciples. In this context, this Greek participle is best translated as “when you have gone.” “Going” is one of three ways to carry out the fundamental mandate to make disciples. Going entails more than just crossing geographical borders, but that is part of Jesus’ message.[3] The idea is that we believers are active, not inert. Going means crossing borders to make disciples—crossing the street, going to dinner with an unbelieving acquaintance, going into the inner city, going outside one’s comfort zone to make the gospel available to the lost. Living life is “going” with a purpose every day.
Going also signifies our support for folks who are literally traveling to different civilizations. We must financially support global outreach while also supporting those involved emotionally, personally, and via prayer. We are part of their team. In all of these ways, we “go,” fulfilling the Great Commission.[4]
We also “go” when we support efforts to train indigenous ministers across cultures. We assist them prepare to lead others in their own culture and language. This allows them to accomplish the Great Commission both at home and in cultures where they will be more welcome than we would be.[5]
Jesus’ disciples were to make disciples in all nations (the term translated nations is the plural of ethnos, which means “peoples, ethnic groups,” as in 24:14). He was implying that their completion of their commission will eventually lead to his second coming. It is interesting that Matthew concluded his Gospel with another allusion to the Gentile mission, pushing Jewish Christians to overcome their prejudices and unite the church. This also pushes us to break down any artificial barriers built by our society, so we must minister impartially.[6]
Conclusion
I can understand the authors bias toward global missions as he is in the part of the world that needs support. However, regardless of any bias intentions we must always exegete scripture properly. Global missions should be important for all believers as that was part of Jesus’ message to his disciples and us here at the end of Matthew’s Gospel. Matthew was also trying to explain the attributes of Christ more than the task given, so the authors bases for his Global mission thesis is way off base when using these scriptures.[7]
[1] Mookgo S. Kgatle, “Globalisation of Missions: An Exegesis on the Great Commission (Mt 28:18–20),” In Die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi 52, no. 1 (2018): 7, https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v52i1.2346.
[2] Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, vol. 1, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 484–485.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid., 484–485.
[5] Ibid., 485.
[6] Ibid., 484.
[7] Craig Blomberg, Matthew, vol. 22, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 432.