Matthew 28:18 Meaning and Explanation
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The risen Jesus declares that all authority, everywhere, now belongs to Him.
The Context of Matthew 28:18
On a mountain in Galilee, after the resurrection, where Jesus had told the eleven disciples to meet Him (Matthew 28:16-17). These are the opening words of His final commission to them, the last scene of Matthew's Gospel.
What Does Matthew 28:18 Mean?
The crucified man is alive and standing before them, and the first thing He says is a claim about authority. All power, in heaven and in earth, is given to Him. Nothing is left out, no corner of creation, no realm above or below. The word here is closer to authority than to raw force: the rightful rule over all things has been placed in His hands. The one they watched die in apparent weakness now speaks as the one to whom everything answers. The cross was not the end of His authority but the road to its open declaration.
This is the foundation everything else rests on. Because all authority is His, the commission He is about to give can actually be carried out, and His promise to be with us can actually be kept. The hands that hold all power are the same hands that were pierced for us. We are not following a distant ruler but a Savior who won this authority by love and uses it for His people. Whatever rules over our small lives, He rules over it, and He is for us.
Matthew 28:18 in the Original Language
exousia (ἐξουσία), 'power' -- rightful authority, the legitimate right to rule, not merely strength.
How to Apply Matthew 28:18 Today
When the powers of our world feel large and our own lives feel small, this verse sets the risen Christ over all of them. The One who holds all authority in heaven and earth is the same One who was pierced for us, and He wields it for our good.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 28:18
What does Matthew 28:18 mean?
The risen Jesus declares that all authority, everywhere, now belongs to Him.
What is the context of Matthew 28:18?
On a mountain in Galilee, after the resurrection, where Jesus had told the eleven disciples to meet Him (Matthew 28:16-17). These are the opening words of His final commission to them, the last scene of Matthew's Gospel.
How can I apply Matthew 28:18 today?
When the powers of our world feel large and our own lives feel small, this verse sets the risen Christ over all of them. The One who holds all authority in heaven and earth is the same One who was pierced for us, and He wields it for our good.