Matthew 28:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Encouraging His followers, particularly as He sent them into perilous missions among the Gentiles, He reassured them with ‘Fear not, for I am with you to the end of the age.’ Observe how He pointed to the conclusion of all things, motivating them to regard dangers with greater disdain. Fear not, He declared, for all circumstances, whether trials or blessings, will come to a conclusion; thus, do not be overwhelmed by sorrows, for they are fleeting, nor be misled by temporary favors, as they too will cease to exist. This assurance was not intended solely for the apostles in their time, but extends to all His disciples throughout generations, for clearly the apostles did not have existence beyond the end of the age. This promise is for us and those who will come after us, signifying not that He will be present until the end and then depart, but rather that He will be especially close to us at that point, in the clearest terms imaginable. The usage of ‘before’ in Scripture does not eliminate what follows. Hence, having expressed our gratitude to the Lord who is present with us here and is the source of all good, and who will perfectly remain with us beyond this life, let us conclude our reflection with praise to Him, to whom be all thanksgiving, honor, and glory, forever and ever. Amen.

John having related that the Lord was seen not in the mountain, but at the sea of Tiberias, by seven who were fishing, adds, This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples after he was risen from the (John 21:14.) dead. (Mark 16:14.) So that if we understand the Lord to have been seen within those eight days by eleven of the disciples, this manifestation at the sea of Tiberias will be the fourth, and not the third, appearance. Indeed, to understand John’s account at all it must be observed, that he computes not each appearance, but each day on which Jesus appeared, though He may have appeared more than once on the same day; as He did three times on the day of His Resurrection. We are then obliged to understand that this appearance to the eleven disciples on the mountain in Galilee took place last of all. In the four Evangelists we find in all ten distinct appearances of Our Lord after His Resurrection. 1. At the sepulchre to the women. 2. To the same women on their way back from the sepulchre. 3. To Peter. 4. To two disciples as they went into the country. 5. To many together in Jerusalem; 6. when Thomas was not with them. 7. At the sea of Tiberias. 8. At the mountain in Galilee, according to Matthew. 9. To the eleven as they sat at meat, because they should not again eat with Him upon earth, related by Mark. 10. On the day of His Ascension, no longer on the earth, but raised aloft in a cloud, as related by both Mark and Luke. But all is not written, as John confesses, for He had much conversation with them during forty days before His ascension, being seen of them, and speaking unto them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3.)

From His Resurrection until His Ascension, for forty days, Jesus appeared to His disciples and communicated with them; then from the mount called Olivet in Judea, He ascended to heaven, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:3, 9). May we, who teach, live, and strive to be worthy of the Gospel, inherit the kingdom promised through the Gospel to those who are perfect, by the grace of the all-perfect King, our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory and worship, along with the Father, who is eternal and of divine essence, and the Spirit, who is consubstantial and co-essential, now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

And this consolation of our longing desires is absent from no place. He is the pledge of our hope in the effects of His gifts, He is the light of our minds, He shines in our souls. These things as the heretics cannot change, they introduce into them their human explanations. As Sabellius who identifies the Father with the Son, thinking the distinction to be made rather in name than in person, and setting forth one and the same Person as both Father and Son. As Ebion, who deriving the beginning of His existence from Mary, makes Him not Man of God, but God of man. As the Arians, who derive the form, the power, and the wisdom of God out of nothing, and in time. What wonder then that men should have diverse opinions about the Holy Spirit, who thus rashly after their own pleasure create and change the Son, by whom that Spirit is bestowed?

Furthermore, those who are not strengthened by the grace of holy Baptism yet commanded to observe Christ's teachings are misguided and lacking insight. They must first be fortified in spirit through Christ’s grace, which cleanses the soul in holy Baptism, before they can effectively carry out the commandments. For how can the earth, abundant with thorns and thistles, support the growth of pure seed without it being choked? The transformative power of divine Baptism grants the unbaptized, who are inclined toward evil, the ability to resist wrongdoing immediately upon their baptism. Even if they do not become entirely immobile to evil right away, they are nonetheless empowered to resist in every conceivable way. This reflects the strength that accompanies holy Baptism, enabling them to perform good works as if they were angelic beings, strong in purpose and executing God's will (Psalm 102:20). In a similar vein, Christ the Lord offered His sacred blood, so that those who place their faith in Him may partake of it, thus sharing in the divine nature. As believers, they are empowered by this divine blood to live according to the perfect law of the Gospel of Christ, fulfilling God's will with divine strength.

Should a believer, after being fortified and enabled to observe the law of Christ, neglect it and reject living in accordance with God's will, let them be aware that they have disowned Christ. As stated by the Apostle, one who tramples underfoot the Son of God and the blood of the covenant is rendered abominable (Hebrews 10:29).

"Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation... teaching them to observe not just this or that, but all things I have commanded you." In these words, He leaves no commandment unspoken that we are not to fulfill.

The first element can be compared to a foundation, while the second represents a structure built upon that foundation. A structure cannot be raised without first establishing the foundation, and the effort to lay the foundation is rendered futile unless there is a structure built upon it.

This directive to instruct all nations must have bewildered the apostles. The Lord had focused His preaching on His people alone, even stating that He was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel, yet now He commissions them to venture into the entire world, reaching out to all nations. Who were these humble fishermen from Galilee, that they should embark on such a grand mission, having only a tenuous understanding of other peoples and cultures? They struggled to express their Master's teachings even in their own homeland and language, constantly seeking His guidance for clarity; how then could they be expected to venture into unknown nations, especially without a Master who seemed to be parting ways with them forever?

Recognizing their confusion, the compassionate Heart of Christ addresses them and, through their voices, makes a profound promise to all believers and His entire Church: "Do not let obstacles deter you; behold, I am with you. I, the Almighty, am by your side—fear not, for I am with all who genuinely believe in Me, always, every day, until the end of eternity. Amen! My word remains true and unchanging!" Filled with courage and determination from this reassuring declaration, the disciples were inspired to undertake their mission for the love of their Master.

St. Chrysostom reflects on Christ’s strength, noting that His presence is not limited to the apostles but extends to all future believers. The apostles, of course, could not endure until the end of time, yet He speaks to all the faithful as though they form one unified body. In the Old Testament, He had assured prophets like Jeremiah, Moses, and Ezekiel—who hesitated—of His companionship, just as He assures His disciples now. It is crucial to note the distinction; while the earlier prophets were sent to a single nation, these apostles are charged with a mission to the entirety of creation—and they do not express any reluctance. By referencing the end of the age, He encourages them to look beyond immediate trials to the boundless blessings that await them. He reminds them that the suffering they will face is transient, concluding with this life, just as the age itself will end. However, the rewards they will receive are everlasting, something He has often reiterated. Thus, having bolstered their spirits with the promise of the last day, He empowered them to venture forth into the world.

However, this should not suggest that He will cease to be present after the age ends; rather, it is then that He will be with us even more profoundly. The term ‘until,’ wherever it appears in Scripture, does not imply exclusion of what follows. - Let us offer our gratitude to the Lord, who dwells with us now, who has bestowed upon us every blessing, and who is fully willing to remain with us for all eternity. To Him belongs all praise, glory, and honor forever and ever” (Theophil.). - “Amen” (cf. note on Matthew 6:13): that is, truly so; everything written in this Gospel is certain and unchangeable truth.