Eleven disciples hurried to Galilee to see if the unbelievable thing they were told was true. As they arrived at the mountain, their eyes witnessed an impossible sight—Jesus, who had been killed and buried just days before, was alive and well. The Savior had risen.

Watching His followers worship at His feet and knowing some were doubting, Jesus delivered these words: “‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 (Matthew 28:18-20).’”

These words have become known as the Great Commission, Jesus’ command to take the gospel to the world. Though these words were recorded 2,000 years ago, many believers today still wonder why Jesus gave this command and whether it is still relevant today.

Why Jesus Gave the Great Commission

To address the first question, you need to go back to early human history.

“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.’” -Genesis 12:1-3

God decided to make a covenant with an ordinary man named Abram and tell him he would become a great nation. But God didn’t confine His blessing to one family. He said all peoples—all nations—would be blessed.

Centuries later, God showed the beloved disciple John what it will be like when this covenant is fulfilled.

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” -Revelation 7:9

From the first book of the Bible to the last, God reveals that He wants people from every nation, tribe, and language to be a part of His family. That is why Jesus said to “‘go and make disciples of all nations … (Matthew 28:19).’”

It’s important to note here that the word “nations” does not mean countries with defined borders. The word “nations” comes from the Greek word ethne, meaning people or ethnic groups. Within a single country, there could be hundreds or even thousands of people groups.

Jesus does not merely want disciples from the 195 countries recognized in the world today. He wants followers from every ethnicity and people group—“a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language … (Revelation 7:9).”

The Relevancy of the Great Commission

Yet with the expansion of the internet and the availability of air travel, surely everyone has heard of Jesus, right? Hasn’t the Great Commission been fulfilled?

Jesus’ words show why this isn’t the case.

“‘And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.’” -Matthew 24:14

Jesus said the end will come when the gospel is preached to the whole world. Therefore, we know the Great Commission hasn’t yet been fulfilled because the end hasn’t come. The gospel must still be preached to all nations.

At the end of the Great Commission, Jesus also said, “‘And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20b).” The task did not end with the 11 disciples on the mountain. The task will continue—and Jesus will be with believers in this task—until the end of the age.

How close are we to accomplishing this task? Today, there are more than 3 billion people worldwide who are unreached with the gospel. That means they have little to no access to anyone who can tell them about Jesus. Many unreached people live in areas where Christianity is illegal or in remote villages where it’s difficult for people to reach them.

The unreached won’t hear and believe in the gospel unless followers of Christ are sent and preach the good news to them (Romans 10:13-15).

So is the Great Commission still relevant? The answer is yes; it is relevant and urgent. The task did not end 2,000 years ago, and it is still not over today.