Passage

Matthew 28

Verses 16–20 WEB Voices

The eleven meet Jesus on the mountain in Galilee. They worship—yet some doubt. The risen Lord claims all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth, sends them to make disciples of all nations, commands Triune baptism and obedience-teaching, and promises His presence to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:16

16But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them.

Arminian

Eleven—not twelve—go where Jesus directed. Obedience gathers a wounded band on His mountain.

Failed disciples still answer His appointment. Grace restores them to a place of meeting and sending.

Reformed

They go to Galilee’s mountain by prior word of the Lord. Direction precedes appearance.

Christ’s flock is gathered by His command. The Commission will rest on those who first went where He said.

Matthew 28:17

17When they saw him, they bowed down to him; but some doubted.

Arminian

Worship and doubt in one verse. Seeing the risen Lord does not instantly erase every hesitation in every heart.

Arminian interpreters refuse to shame honest struggle: grace meets mixed disciples. The invitation is still to worship the One before them, not to pretend perfect certainty before faith matures.

Reformed

Matthew tells the truth: some doubted even as others worshiped. Weak faith stands inside the church’s first Easter assembly.

Christ will speak authority into that mixture. Doubt is recorded; it does not veto His claim or His Commission.

Key contrast Both refuse to erase “some doubted.” Arminians typically treat doubt as a human response that grace patiently invites toward fuller trust; Calvin’s heirs generally stress that Christ’s person and word remain decisive for worshipers and hesitators alike.

Matthew 28:18

18Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

Arminian

All authority—heaven and earth—given to the crucified and risen Son. Mission rests on His lordship, not on the Eleven’s strength.

Because He reigns, the gospel may be sincerely offered to all. Universal authority grounds a wide invitation; hearers remain responsible to bow.

Reformed

Mediator’s investiture: all authority given. The Commission’s therefore will lean on this throne.

The risen Christ governs every realm. Preachers raise eyes to the Master whose power estimates the gospel’s majesty.

Key contrast Shared confession: Jesus holds all authority. Arminians typically link that reign to a gospel call extended to all nations; Reformed readers commonly link it to Christ’s effectual rule that also secures the gathering of His people from the nations.

Matthew 28:19

19Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Arminian

Therefore go—authority becomes mission. Make disciples of all nations; baptize into the one Name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Triune confession marks the entrance of learners.

No nation is written off. Grace sends the church to teach and baptize widely; baptism binds disciples to the living God in three persons.

Reformed

Disciple-making among all nations, sealed by Triune baptism. The singular “name” confesses one God in three persons.

The church’s sacrament and mission are Christ-commanded. Baptism is not tribal branding but covenant sign under the Father, Son, and Spirit.

Key contrast Both uphold Triune baptism and nations-wide disciple-making. Arminians stress the sincere offer and enabled response among the nations; Calvinists typically stress God’s sure purpose to disciple peoples under Christ’s authority while baptism signs and seals covenant grace.

Matthew 28:20

20teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Arminian

Teaching for obedience completes disciple-making—not bare decisions. Then the promise: Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Presence fuels perseverance in mission. The Lord who commands observation of all He taught walks with those who go; remain teachable and go on declaring glad tidings.

Reformed

All He commanded must be taught for observance. Christ retains the Teacher’s chair while promising abiding presence to the age’s end.

The Commission is impossible by flesh; it is carried by “I am with you.” His spiritual presence sustains ministers and churches until history closes.

Key contrast Both cling to Christ’s abiding presence as mission’s life. Arminians hear a promise that accompanies responsible obedience in going and teaching; Reformed readers hear a covenant pledge that Christ Himself ensures His church’s endurance and fruit to the end.

Historic quotes

Voices from both camps

Arminian and Reformed writers of the past on the risen Christ’s authority, the nations, Triune baptism, and promised presence, in their own words.

Arminian Notable voices

“I look upon all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation.”

John Wesley · Journal (11 June 1739)

“We place Him first in the Holy Trinity: for so hath Christ taught us, by commanding us to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

Jacobus Arminius · Works, Vol. 1 (Disputation on the Person of the Father and the Son)

Reformed Notable voices

“When they learn that he to whom they owe their services is the Governor of heaven and earth, this alone was abundantly sufficient for preparing them to rise superior to all opposition.”

John Calvin · Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists (on Matt 28:18)

“The outward element to be used in this sacrament is water, wherewith the party is to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the gospel lawfully called thereunto.”

Westminster Confession of Faith · 28.2 (1647)

Quotations lightly abridged for length; wording follows standard English translations of the sources named.

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