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Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Matthew 28:19-20 (The Great Commission)

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Black Church Tradition Lens Reading of Matthew 28:19-20 (The Great Commission)

Tradition-Specific Interpretation

We read Matthew 28:19-20 as the call to embody the liberating and transformative mission of Jesus. This Great Commission is not merely about converting individuals but about making disciples who live out the justice and freedom that Jesus proclaimed. We see this as a mandate to bring holistic salvation — spiritual, social, and economic — to the oppressed and marginalized. The call to 'make disciples of all nations' is a call to challenge the systems of oppression and to build the beloved community where every person is valued as an image-bearer of God.

Key Language Decisions

In the original Greek, the word 'nations' (ethne) emphasizes the inclusivity and expansiveness of God's kingdom, affirming our tradition's belief in liberation for all peoples. The command 'to observe all that I have commanded' (tērein panta hosa eneteilamēn) underscores the importance of living out the teachings of Jesus, not just intellectually assenting to them. Our tradition emphasizes that this includes Jesus' commands for justice, mercy, and love.

Where Traditions Diverge

Unlike traditions that focus primarily on individual conversion, we emphasize the communal and systemic implications of the Great Commission. Traditions such as mainstream evangelicalism often interpret this passage as a call to personal evangelism only, whereas we see it as a mandate for social transformation. This difference matters because it expands the scope of discipleship to include justice and liberation as integral to the Gospel.

Pastoral Application

A pastor in our tradition would preach this passage as a call to action, urging the congregation to be agents of God's justice and freedom in the world. We would emphasize that making disciples means more than sharing the Gospel; it means living it out by confronting injustice and building community. Our congregation would expect to hear how this commission empowers us to fight against modern-day Pharaohs and systems of oppression, ensuring that our faith is both deeply personal and radically transformative. 'Teaching them to observe all things' means living out the command to love our neighbor as ourselves, seeking liberation for all God's children.

Cross-References: Exodus 3:7-8; Luke 4:18-19; John 10:10; Acts 1:8; Galatians 3:28; Revelation 7:9

Doctrinal Connections: liberation; the beloved community; holistic salvation; prophetic witness; eschatological hope; image of God

Topics & Themes

liberationthe beloved communityholistic salvationprophetic witnesseschatological hope

Scripture References

Matthew 28:19-20 (The Great Commission)

Best Used In

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