ASCENSION

And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.

Mt 28:16-20

v. 16. The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.

Matthew does not identify the mountain just as he does not identify the mountain of the transfiguration (17:1) and the mountain of the third temptation (4:8)

v. 17. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.

The mention of doubt is surprising, especially after stating that the disciples worshipped Jesus. It does not correspond to the recognition of the Lord, as often happens in the classic scheme of the stories of the apparitions (Lk 24:11.37-44; Jn 20:25-27 and Mk 16:11.13-14).

Some critics instead see in it a clarification added to a tradition which presented the encounter of the living Lord with his disciples in the form of an epiphany, simila to the eschatological announcement of Dn 7:14.

One can also translate as follows: They who have doubted (not Jesus but the words of the women).

v. 18. Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

He who on the mountain of the temptation has refused to receive from the devil dominion over the kingdoms of the earth (4:9-10), proclaims that he has reveived it from God (Dn 7:14); nay more, he received dominion over heaven and earth, in conformity with the belief of the primitive church (Acts 13:33; Rom 1:4; Phil 2:5-11; and 1Tim 3:16).

v. 19. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name

of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit…

These nations are not only the pagans but also the Jews (24:9.14; and 25:32). In contrast to his way of acting during his public life (10:5-6.23; and 15:24), Jesus now fulfills the prophecy of Is 42:6; 45:18-20; and 49:6.

“In the name of…” means that a personal relationship is established with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is an indication that the Trinity was already known in the early church (1Cor 12:3-5; and 2Cor 13:13). The baptismal formula was probably derived from the practice of the early church (Didache).

v. 20. “…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

With these words the Risen Christ takes up and fulfills the figure and the promise of the divine presence in the OT (Ex 3:12; Jer 1:8; Is 41:10 and 43:5; Mt 1:23). He does not only guarantee particular gifts (Lk 24:48 and Jn 20:22), or an enduring presence (Mt 18:20) but an effective assistance all days, even during persecution. In this sense the presence of Jesus is similar to that of the Paraclete of John (Jn 14:16; and16:7-11).