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Explanation for:
Matthew
28
:
20
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.
10
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Instructing them to uphold everything I have commanded you. - As a specific directive, He instructed the apostles to first teach all nations, then immerse them in the sacrament of faith, and after they have embraced faith and baptism, to instruct them in all aspects to be observed. To emphasize that these commands are not trivial or straightforward, He stated: All that I have commanded you. Therefore, those who have faith and are baptized in the name of the Trinity are to uphold all that has been commanded. And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. - The One who assured the apostles of His enduring presence to the conclusion of the world demonstrated that they would consistently triumph, and He would never abandon the faithful. He who guaranteed His companionship until the end of time is fully aware of the moments when He will be with the apostles, just as He knows all things."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"\\"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you\\" (Matt. 28:19, 20). In this instruction, He refers to His teachings and commandments without mentioning the Jewish people or recalling past events. He does not chide Peter for his denial or the others for their abandonment. Instead, He simply commissions the spread of His teachings throughout the entire world, succinctly including the command of baptism. To encourage them in this significant mission, He reassures them: \\"Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.\\" Can you not recognize His authority here? Observe the graciousness in His words; He promises His presence not just for them alone but also for all who will come to believe afterward. The apostles, while unable to remain until \\"the end of the age,\\" are addressed together with all believers as one unified body. He urges them not to dwell on obstacles or burdens, declaring, \\"I am with you, who make all things easy.\\" This assurance echoes throughout the Old Testament, where He often comforted His prophets—like Jeremiah, concerned about his youth, and Moses and Ezekiel, who hesitated—by saying, \\"I am with you.\\" The distinction here is important; those prophets were sent to a single nation and often resisted, while the disciples were commissioned to the entire world without raising similar objections. Yet, He reminds them of the end of the age to inspire them, encouraging them to look beyond their current struggles to the everlasting rewards that await. The trials they face will conclude with this life, as this age itself will eventually pass away; however, the blessings they will receive are eternal, as He has previously assured them. By reinforcing their spirits with recollection of the final day, He sent them forth into the world. This day is to be cherished by those who have led lives of righteousness and feared by those who have indulged in sin and must face judgment. Nevertheless, let us not only harbor fear, but also cultivate repentance while there is still opportunity, and turn away from iniquity. It is within our capacity to do so if we truly desire it. If many have achieved transformation even before receiving grace, how much more achievable it becomes under its influence."},{"author-name":"Gregory of Nyssa","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88c197597540c9caa3754_Gregory%20of%20Nyssa.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"In correspondence with the heretic Heraclianus, St. Gregory of Nyssa references the well-known directive of the Savior: Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you (Matt. 28:19-20). In elucidating this command, he states: ‘Jesus Christ, by dividing the Christian experience into two aspects—the moral and the precise adherence to doctrine—established the salvific doctrine through the institution of baptism, and through adherence to His commandments, He mandated the rectification of our lives.’"},{"author-name":"Maximus the Confessor","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8951a1dea23713695271e_Maximus%20the%20Confessor.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":7,"exegesis-text":"The Lord spoke to the Apostles after His Resurrection, instructing them to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Thus, every individual baptized in the name of the Life-giving and Divine Trinity is called to uphold all that has been commanded. The Lord connected the observance of His commandments with true faith because He understood that faith alone, without adherence to the commandments, cannot lead to salvation. This is why David, with his rightful faith, turns to God and states, “For this reason I am guided to all Your commandments, I hate every way of unrighteousness” (Psalm 118:128). The commandments given by God serve as a guide against all paths of unrighteousness; neglecting even one opens the way for evil to take its place."},{"author-name":"Symeon the New Theologian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c897eec143c131d21207b3_Symeon%20the%20New%20Theologian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":10,"exegesis-text":"When someone instructs another by saying, \\"Do this and avoid that,\\" they are addressing a person capable of following such commands. However, if this is said to someone who cannot fulfill either action, is it not a fruitless endeavor? The Lord instructed His disciples, \\"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.\\" Thus, the primary gift bestowed upon believers is the cleansing and empowerment found in holy Baptism. The Lord further instructs: \\"Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you\\" (Matthew 28:19-20). Therefore, anyone who attempts to follow the commandments of Christ without first being empowered through holy Baptism will work in vain. 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. \\n\\nShould 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). \\n\\n\\"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."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"And consider, I am with you every day… Endowing them with renewed courage, He expressed: ‘And consider, I am with you,’ aiding you, removing all barriers, and sustaining you. Until the culmination of the age. Amen. This was said not because He would cease being with them, but rather because His presence would be experienced differently—above, in a manner befitting God. This indicates that Jesus Christ was not only present with His disciples but continues to be with all who follow them, as the apostles themselves could not remain until the end of the age. Through the disciples who were there, He shared this joy with their followers, addressing all believers as a unified body. Jesus Christ did not ascend to heaven at once, but after a period of time, as revealed by the other evangelists. 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."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Moreover, since mere baptism is insufficient without a commitment to good deeds in its wake, He instructs us, ‘teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you,’ not just a few, but all of My commandments. Let us be vigilant, beloved, recognizing that if we neglect even a single command, we cannot be deemed faithful servants of Christ, as we are called to uphold all His directives. Note how the Lord's message encapsulates both pillars of Christianity: doctrine and active righteousness. When He commanded that baptism be performed in the name of the Holy Trinity, He imparted theological truth, and by emphasizing the importance of teaching and obeying the commandments, He also provided us with practical righteousness. 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."},{"author-name":"Ignatij (Briantchaninow)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ce37597540c9caa5df5_Ignatij%20(Briantchaninow).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Lord Jesus Christ initiated and affirmed the teaching and proclamation of Christianity along with the observance of the commandments found in the Gospel (Matthew 28:19, 20). He instructed that both the theoretical and practical aspects of Christianity be studied, intertwining these two approaches in a way that recognizes their essential connection. Theoretical understanding must be accompanied by practical application, as the former holds no value before God without the latter. Similarly, without practical application, theoretical understanding is of no benefit to us (Matt. 7:21-23). The second aspect serves as evidence of the authenticity of the first and is enriched by the presence of Divine grace (Jn. 14:21-24). 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."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Not only should they be welcomed into My Church through the Sacrament of Baptism, but they must also be guided in their journey toward the Kingdom of Heaven, prepared for eternal life, and instructed to adhere to all that I have commanded you—my teachings and regulations. Blessed Theophylact notes how the Lord’s words encompass both aspects of Christian devotion: doctrine and practical virtue. We must be mindful, dear brethren, for failing to uphold even one commandment means we cannot be regarded as true servants of Christ; it is essential that we observe all that He has taught. \\n\\nThis 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? \\n\\nRecognizing 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.\\n\\nSt. 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."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"To observe all aspects: teachings, practices, and commandments, for understanding and adhering to them is essential for the life of a Christian. - “I am with you,” etc.: “Do you not witness His might once more? And do you not also recognize the humility with which He articulates this? He promises to be with them not only in the present but also with all future believers. For the apostles could not remain until the culmination of the age, yet He addresses all the faithful as a united body. He instructs, ‘Do not mention the barriers of situations to me. I am with you, and I who remove all hindrances’ (Chrysostom). “Thus, the Lord assures His presence until the conclusion of the age, both to us and to those who will come after us. 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."}]}
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