What scriptural connections exist between Luke 13:22 and the Great Commission in Matthew 28? Jesus’ pattern on the road “Then Jesus traveled throughout the towns and villages, teaching as He made His way toward Jerusalem.” (Luke 13:22) The risen Lord’s marching orders “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations … teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.’” (Matthew 28:18-20) How Luke 13:22 foreshadows the Great Commission • Movement: Jesus is on the move—“towns and villages.” Matthew 28 widens that motion: “all nations.” • Teaching: Luke says He was “teaching”; the Commission repeats the mandate—“teaching them to obey.” • Disciple-making pattern: what the Master does personally in Luke, He entrusts to His followers in Matthew. • From Jerusalem outward: Luke’s verse points to Jerusalem, the place of death and resurrection; Acts 1:8 (same author) shows the gospel radiating from that city, just as Matthew records Jesus telling the Twelve to go global. • Authority chain: in Luke Jesus acts with implicit heavenly authority (cf. John 12:49-50). In Matthew He explicitly states, “All authority … has been given to Me,” and He delegates that authority to His church. • Urgency of salvation: immediately after Luke 13:22 Jesus warns, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door” (v. 24). The Commission supplies the evangelistic answer—“make disciples … baptizing them.” • Continuity of presence: Jesus’ physical presence in Galilean hamlets becomes His spiritual presence “always, to the very end of the age” for disciple-makers everywhere. Supporting parallels • Luke 4:43; Mark 1:38 – Jesus’ insistence on preaching in multiple towns anticipates a worldwide gospel spread. • Luke 10:1-2 – Seventy-two sent ahead two by two mirror the later mandate to go everywhere. • Luke 24:46-47 – Same resurrected Christ ties His suffering in Jerusalem to “repentance for forgiveness … to all nations.” • Acts 1:8 – Jerusalem-Judea-Samaria-ends-of-earth roadmap completes the trajectory that began in Luke 13:22. Practical implications today • Keep moving: the gospel is not meant to stay put; it advances through our intentional going. • Keep teaching: evangelism and doctrinal grounding belong together. • Rely on His authority: confidence flows from Christ’s sovereignty, not our skill. • Trust His presence: the One who walked village roads still walks with every obedient disciple-maker. |
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