Mark 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
This commission appears in Mark's longer ending (16:9-20), whose authenticity has been debated due to its absence from earliest manuscripts. However, the command itself parallels Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 24:46-49, and Acts 1:8, demonstrating that Jesus' missionary mandate to the church is multiply attested across Gospel traditions. This commission transformed the disciples from a Jewish sect focused on Israel into a global missionary movement. The early church took this command seriously—within decades, the gospel spread throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. Paul's missionary journeys, Peter's ministry to Gentiles (Acts 10-11), and the Jerusalem Council's decision (Acts 15) all reflect obedience to this commission. Church history records gospel expansion to Europe, Africa, Asia, and eventually the Americas and Oceania. The Protestant Reformation recovered biblical soteriology but initially neglected missions; the modern missionary movement (18th-19th centuries) recaptured Christ's commission, sending missionaries worldwide. Today's global church—with vibrant Christianity in Africa, Asia, and Latin America—demonstrates ongoing fulfillment of this command.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding the gospel as authoritative proclamation (heralding) rather than optional suggestion change your approach to evangelism?
- What practical steps can you take to participate in proclaiming the gospel to 'every creature,' whether through direct evangelism, financial support, or prayer for missionaries?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse contains Jesus' post-resurrection commission to His disciples, often called the Great Commission. The command "Go ye into all the world" (poreuthentes eis ton kosmon hapanta, πορευθέντες εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἅπαντα) employs the aorist participle poreuthentes (πορευθέντες, "having gone") indicating decisive action—the disciples must actively go, not passively wait. Kosmon hapanta (κόσμον ἅπαντα, "all the world") encompasses every geographic location and people group—the gospel isn't limited to Israel but extends to all nations. The verb "preach" (kēryssate, κηρύξατε) means to herald or proclaim as a royal messenger announces a king's decree—this is authoritative proclamation, not tentative suggestion. "The gospel" (to euangelion, τὸ εὐαγγέλιον) is the good news of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection for sinners (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). "Every creature" (pasē tē ktisei, πάσῃ τῇ κτίσει) means every human being without exception—none are excluded from hearing this message. Reformed theology emphasizes that while the gospel must be proclaimed universally, God sovereignly determines who will believe (particular redemption), yet this doesn't diminish the church's missionary obligation to preach indiscriminately to all.