The Great Commission

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.^{(A) 17} When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.^{(B) 19} Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,^(C) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,^{(D) 20} and teaching^(E) them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you^(F) always, to the very end of the age.”^(G)

¹⁴ Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.^(A)

¹⁵ He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.^{(B) 16} Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.^{(C) 17} And these signs^(D) will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons;^(E) they will speak in new tongues;^{(F) 18} they will pick up snakes^(G) with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on^(H) sick people, and they will get well.”

⁴⁴ He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you:^(A) Everything must be fulfilled^(B) that is written about me in the Law of Moses,^(C) the Prophets^(D) and the Psalms.”^(E)

⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer^(F) and rise from the dead on the third day,^{(G) 47} and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name^(H) to all nations,^(I) beginning at Jerusalem.^{(J) 48} You are witnesses^(K) of these things. ⁴⁹ I am going to send you what my Father has promised;^(L) but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

¹⁹ On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders,^(A) Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace^(B) be with you!”^{(C) 20} After he said this, he showed them his hands and side.^(D) The disciples were overjoyed^(E) when they saw the Lord.

²¹ Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you!^(F) As the Father has sent me,^(G) I am sending you.”^{(H) 22} And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.^{(I) 23} If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”^(J)

⁴ On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait^(A) for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.^{(B) 5} For John baptized with^[a] water,^(C) but in a few days you will be baptized with^[b] the Holy Spirit.”^(D)

⁶ Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore^(E) the kingdom to Israel?”

⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.^{(F) 8} But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;^(G) and you will be my witnesses^(H) in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,^(I) and to the ends of the earth.”^(J)