Jesus came near, spoke with them, and said: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Just as the Father sent me, I also send you.”
This verse proclaims the majestic message of the authority given to Christ after His resurrection. He speaks as the Victorious Lord, who now has dominion both in heaven and on earth. His words, “All authority was given to Me,” show not a newly acquired power, but the revealed authority received from God the Father as the result of the accomplished work of salvation. Here Jesus is presented as the Mediator who unites heaven and earth, the One who has authority to rule, to forgive, to heal, and to save. His authority flows from the humility of the cross and the glory of the resurrection. He who willingly descended even to death has now been exalted above every name. The words, “As the Father sent Me, I also send you,” confirm the mission of the new covenant. The disciples are called to continue Christ’s work, not by their own strength, but by His grace and presence. Through this word the eternal truth is affirmed: all authority belongs to the Lord, and by His authority the message of salvation is carried out among all nations.