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Matthew 28:20Great Commission
teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
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Interpretation

Jesus teaches a presence that is embodied in work and rest. Matthew 28:20: trace "teaching" and "observe". Let presence through how disagreements are handled—teach the body new reflexes.

Context

The setting is Matthew—gospel narrative, naming presence. Placed in ch. 28, the nearby lines set its tone. The nearby sentences supply the texture.

Authorship & Historical Background

Long‑standing tradition credits Matthew to the disciple Matthew (formerly a tax collector). In current research on Matthew, Early witnesses preserve anonymity; later ascription to Matthew; reflects Mark and a sayings source.. Scholars commonly date Matthew AD 80–90. Matthew appears framed for Jewish‑Christian community.. The setting is the Great Commission (gospel narrative). Jesus teaches as a new Moses figure. Catechetical structure appears in the discourse blocks.

More details
Traditional:Matthew the tax collector
Modern scholarship:Anonymous; attributed to Matthew; uses Mark + Q source.
Date:AD 80–90
Audience:Jewish‑Christian community.
Manuscripts & Textual Witnesses
The Greek text is preserved in more than 5,800 manuscripts, exceeding other ancient writings in manuscript count. 2nd-3rd century papyri like P46, P66, P75 provide text roughly 100-150 years after composition. Major uncial codices (Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, 4th century) contain complete or near-complete texts. The Byzantine text family represents the majority of later manuscripts. Textual variants exist but are mostly minor: word order, articles, spelling. No central Christian doctrine depends on any disputed text. Modern critical editions compare all manuscript families to determine the most likely original reading.
Sources & witness notes
SinaiticusVaticanusP46
Cross References1
  • Acts 1:8
    But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.
    CuratedCommission & Spirit empowerment (Acts 1:8)