Matthew 28:18

προσελθὼν, approaching; the speech of Jesus is majestic, but His bearing is friendly, meant to set them free from doubt and fear. ἐλάλησε : this may seem a word not sufficiently dignified for the communication made. But it is often used, especially in Hebrews, in reference to divine revelations (vide, e.g., chap. Matthew 1:1). ἐδόθη μοι, there was given to me; the aorist as in Matthew 11:27, the thought of which earlier text this utterance reiterates and amplifies. The reference may be to the resurrection, and the meaning that that event ipso facto placed Jesus in a position of power. Cf. Romans 1:4. πᾶσα ἐξουσία, every form of authority; command of all means necessary for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. ἐν οὐρανῷ : this points to session on His celestial throne at the right hand of God. Jesus speaks as one already in heaven. There is no account of the ascension in Mt. It is conceived as involved in the resurrection. ἐπὶ γῆς : upon earth, the whole earth. The two phrases together point to a universal cosmic dominion. But so far as earth is concerned, the dominion is only a matter of right or theory, a problem to be worked out. Hence what follows.