FUNCTIONAL FAITH
The Wording
The Pioneer Translation Rendering

Matthew 28:16–20

The Great Commission

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

The verb *edothē* is aorist passive — "was given" or "has been given" — and this is translated at face value. The passive voice is theologically significant: authority is given to Jesus by another (the Father), preserving the sender/sent distinction. No existing translation's softening of this passive construction is followed; the text plainly states that Jesus received authority rather than inherently possessing it.

19Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit,

"Into the name" translates *εἰς τὸ ὄνομα* — the preposition *eis* (into) indicates entrance into relationship with or allegiance to, not merely association. The three are listed in distinct sequence — Father, Son, holy spirit — preserving their distinction rather than collapsing them into identity. "Holy spirit" is left without capitalisation as the Greek *ἁγίου πνεύματος* carries no article here and refers to the character and power of God rather than a named co-equal person.

20Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you. And look, I am with you all the days until the completion of the age.

"Συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος" is rendered "completion of the age" rather than the common "end of the world" — *synteleias* means a finishing or completing, and *aiōnos* refers to an age or era, not the physical world (which would be *kosmos*). "Look" preserves the force of the interjection *idou*, which calls immediate attention to what follows.

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Berean Standard Bible

Goodspeed New Testament

BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →

16

Meanwhile, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated.

And the eleven disciples went to Galilee to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.

17

When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted.

There they saw him and bowed down before him, though some were in doubt about it.

18

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

And Jesus came up to them and said, “Full authority in heaven and on the earth has been given to me.

19

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,

Therefore go and make disciples of all the heathen, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy Spirit,

20

and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

and teach them to observe all the commands that I have given you. I will always be with you, to the very close of the age.”

Functional Faith Reading

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Sources

SBL Greek New Testament (SBLGNT)License

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition

Copyright 2010 Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software.

Licensed CC BY 4.0.

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