Devine Scripture

Matthew 28:18

What does Matthew 28:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 28:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 28:18 means

Jesus approached His disciples and declared a profound truth: "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." This statement unequivocally asserts His complete sovereignty and universal dominion. His resurrection confirmed His divine power, granting Him ultimate authority over all creation, spiritual realms, and human affairs. This divine authority forms the foundation for the audacious commission He is about to give, empowering His followers to act on His behalf with His backing.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Jesus came to them and said, All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And having come near, Jesus spake to them, saying, `Given to me was all authority in heaven and on earth;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jesus coming up spoke to them, saying, All power has been given me in heaven and upon earth.

Context

This verse records Jesus' foundational declaration of His universal authority, which directly follows the disciples' worship and lingering doubt. This declaration is crucial because it provides the divine warrant and power behind the Great Commission that follows. It reassures the disciples, grounding their upcoming mission in the absolute power of their risen Lord, thereby dispelling their doubts and preparing them for their global task.

v.17And when they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted.

v.18This passage

v.19Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 5:22

    For neither doth the Father judge any man, but he hath given all judgment unto the Son;

  • Matthew 11:27

    All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him.

  • Matthew 26:64

    Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.

  • Psalms 2:6

    Yet I have set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.

  • Ephesians 1:20

    which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,

  • Romans 14:9

    For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

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