The same Greek word for “go” appears in both Matthew 10:7 and Matthew 28:19, only the respective endings on the two instances of the word differ to distinguish verb tenses. Matthew 10:7 reads, “And as you go [poreuomenoi], preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’” (NKJV). Matthew 28:19 reads, “Go [poreuthentes] therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The root word is poreuomai, and it appears 153 times in 146 New Testament verses; it is translated variously in some form of the words “depart,” “went,” “go,” walk” or “journey.”
Poreuomenoi in Matthew 10:7 is a verb: present tense, middle voice, participle, which is masculine, plural and nominative. Poreuthentes in Matthew 28:19 is a verb: aorist tense, passive voice, participle, which is masculine, plural and nominative. The Greek present tense usually carries the idea of continuing action, hence, Matthew 10:7 is translated accordingly, “as you go.” Greek aorist tense usually carries either an idea similar to past tense in the English language, or it refers to an activity that has a definitive beginning point as well as a definitive ending point. Therefore, Matthew 28:19 is translated differently from Matthew 10:7 as “Go.” Thomas B. Warren observed because of the aorist tense for “go” in Matthew 28:19 that it could also be translated correctly a little differently than the quotation already noted herein. “‘Go ye…’ is the aorist, passive, participle, nominative, masculine, plural of poreuomai. It could be translated ‘having gone.’”
A participle is “a word having the characteristics of both verb and adjective; especially : an English verbal form that has the function of an adjective and at the same time shows such verbal features as tense and voice and capacity to take an object” (Merriam-Webster). Commentators disagree upon the significance of the word “go” in Matthew 10:7 and Matthew 28:19 being participles. “The Greek verb translated go is actually not a command but a present participle (going). The only command in the entire Great Commission is ‘make disciples’ (‘teach all nations’) Jesus said, ‘While you are going, make disciples of all the nations’” (Bible Exposition Commentary). To the contrary, another commentator observed:
Merely because expressed as a participle, Go ye (poreuthentes) is no less a command. Since it is subordinate to a principal verb in the imperative mood (matheteusate), this renders it no less a command than that verb itself. (Cf. e.g. 28:7, [= 10]; Luke 19:5 in Greek.) Had Jesus desired to say, “as you go, preach, ” He could have expressed Himself differently, (poreuomenoi kerssete, 10:7). The ASV is correct in rendering this participle and its main verb, Go ye, and make disciples. Often those who argue that the Greek means, “Having gone,” as if it were not imperative, are not consistent in using the same logic or grammar with the other two participles in this commission: baptizing (baptizontes) and teaching (didaskontes). Although these actions are admitted on all hands to be absolutely essential, the going is no less imperative than either of these. So, the main point of this commission is to bring the message of life in Christ Jesus to all, not to wait to do so if and when we happen to go. (Fowler 940-941)
The contrast between “as you go” in Matthew 10:7 and “go” in Matthew 28:19 is between (1) teaching the Gospel to souls who happened to be around a Christian as he goes throughout life and may from time to time travel from place to place, and (2) purposely and urgently traveling to where the lost are to acquaint them with the saving Gospel. In truth, though, the apostles of Christ to whom our Lord gave the Limited Commission were no less expected to proclaim actively God’s Word than were the apostles to whom our Lord gave the Great Commission expected to do likewise. The primary difference between the Limited Commission and the Great Commission pertains to the respective audiences to whom the Word of God was to be proclaimed, Jews and every creature or all nations, respectively. Although there is a valid point to be made between “go” in Matthew 10:7 and Matthew 28:19, activity is obligatory in both passages; the difference between the renderings of “go” in these verses is not huge or deserving of adamant profession. After all, “…we cannot stay where we are and fulfill the Great Commission. You and I are called, literally, to go” (Bunn).
Works Cited
Bible Exposition Commentary, The. CD-ROM. Colorado Springs: Chariot Victor Publishing, 1989.
Bunn, John. “Poreuomai.” Thinking Outside the Bunn. 27 Jun 2007 12 May 2012 <https://www.johnbunn.net/2007/06/poreuomai.html>.
Fowler, Harold. The Gospel of Matthew. Vol. 4. CD-ROM. Joplin: College P., 1985.
Merriam-Webster, I. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. 10th ed. CD-ROM. Springfield: Logos Research Systems, 1996.
Warren, Thomas B. “Marriage, Divorce, Remarriage Forum, No. 6.” Studies in 1 Corinthians. Dub McLish, ed. CD-ROM. Denton: Valid Publications, 1982.
