In these closing words of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus gives His followers a charge that is both simple and world‑shaping. The Great Commission is not merely a task list—it is the heartbeat of Christian discipleship. Here, Christ sends His people out with purpose: to go, to make disciples, to baptize, and to teach. Each action flows from His authority and leads us deeper into His presence.
The diagram below helps us see the structure and clarity of Jesus’ command. It shows how every part of the Commission works together: the going, the making, the baptizing, the teaching. And woven through it all is His promise—He is with us always. As you study this passage, may this visual guide steady your understanding and strengthen your calling to walk in the mission Christ entrusted to His Church.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
✦ GRAMMATICAL BREAKDOWN
Main clause
- (You) — implied subject
- go — main verb (imperative)
- and make — compound verb
- disciples — direct object of make
- of all nations — prepositional phrase modifying disciples
Participial modifiers (modifying “make disciples”)
- baptizing them
- baptizing — participle
- them — direct object
- in the name… — prepositional phrase modifying baptizing
- of the Father
- and of the Son
- and of the Holy Spirit
- teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you
- teaching — participle
- them — direct object
- to obey — infinitive phrase functioning as object complement
- everything — object of obey
- I have commanded you — subordinate clause modifying everything
