Bible Commentaries
Matthew 28

Verse 17

Matthew 28:17

διστάζω (distazō), waver; hesitate.

(2011). The Lexham Analytical Lexicon to the Greek New Testament. Logos Bible Software.

28:17 some of them doubted: This might be a veiled reference to Thomas (John 20:24-29), but all eleven might have experienced a mixture of both worship and doubt (see also Matthew 14:31; Luke 24:10-11; John 20:24-29). cf. John 21:4

New Living Translation Study Bible. (2008). (Matthew 28:17). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

they worshiped him: but some doubted, which would be unlikely of the Eleven after the earlier appearances and the “doubting Thomas” incident. The Greek verb distazō may also be translated “hesitated” in the sense that while they obviously saw Him, they hesitated to offer Him such unbounded worship.

King James Version study Bible . (1997). (electronic ed., Mt 28:16). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

28:17 some doubted The Greek verb implies hesitation or indecision rather than unbelief; the disciples do not have time to adequately consider and comprehend all that has taken place. They are likely in a state of shock.

Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Mt 28:17). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

28:17 but some doubted. That simple phrase is one of countless testimonies to the integrity of Scripture. The transparent honesty of a statement like this shows that Matthew was not attempting to exclude or cover up facts that might lessen the perfection of such a glorious moment.

MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1451). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.

But some doubted -- . The doubters could not have been any of the eleven, for they had seen the Lord more than once at Jerusalem, and had had indubitable proofs that he had risen from the dead, and was no mere spirit or spiritual appearance, but possessed of his former body, with new powers, faculties, and laws. Those who for the moment doubted did not hesitate to acknowledge his resurrection, but his identity. They were, perhaps, at a distance. Christ may have appeared surrounded with heavenly glory; at any rate, in a shape, or vesture, or with an aspect with which they were not familiar; hence in this majestic form, they failed to recognize the “despised and rejected of men,” the lowly Jesus whom they had known (cf. John 21:4).

Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Pulpit Commentary; St. Matthew (Vol. 2, p. 644). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

Verse 19

Matthew 28:19

Go therefore ... The Great Commission; see Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47; John 20:21;

Contact - Go

Cultivate - Teach

Commitment - Baptize

Conservation - Teaching

into ... eis = into

New Testament baptism

1) Right authority - Matthew 28:18; Acts 10:48 - the Lord

2) Right element - Mark 1:8 - water

3) Right canidate - Mark 16:16 - a believer

4) Right way - Romans 6:4-5 - immersion, burial

5) Right purpose - Galatians 3:27-27; 2 Corinthians 5:17 - into a new relationship, reconciled, forgiven, Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Romans 5:3-6

Verse 20

Matthew 28:20

end of the world ... age, αἰῶνος aion, Matthew 24:3

I am with you ... Jesus talking to the apostles that He would be with them, probably in a supernatural sense, guiding them, inspirating them. The age of inspiration ended with the end of the Jewish economy, the fall of Jerusalem and the temple, etc. AD 70. Mark 16:20

I am with you ... to refer to the Lord’s presence and help with all believers it is better to refer to Hebrews 13:5 (Reference back ? to Genesis 28:15; Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:5; 1 Samuel 12:22;)

Notes from this book are often from:

Bernard, J. H. (1929). A critical and exegetical commentary on the Gospel according to St. John. (A. H. McNeile, Ed.). New York: C. Scribner’ Sons.

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Jn 15:16). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

King James Version study Bible . (1997). (electronic ed., Jn 15:26). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1616). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.

New Living Translation Study Bible. (2008). (Jn 15:18–27). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

NIV Zondervan Study Bible: Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.