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Why do none of Paul's letters reference Jesus' Great Commission in Matthew 28:19–20? Isn’t it odd that Paul—often called “the greatest Christian missionary”—never quoted the Great Commission? This is the same Paul who is the focus of a century-old book titled Missionary Methods: St. Paul's or Ours?
Let’s think about that. Paul never quoted Matthew 28:19–20 or Acts 1:8. Yet Luke, the author of Acts and one of Paul’s traveling companions, recorded Jesus’ words in Acts 1:8: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Paul surely would have known Luke’s version of the Great Commission:
"This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." (Luke 24:46–47)
So, does Paul’s silence mean world evangelism was not on his radar? Absolutely not. Paul referred to himself as “an apostle to the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13). To first-century Jews, Gentiles were all non-Jews—everyone outside the biological descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Easy-to-Read Version translates Romans 11:13 as, “I am an apostle to the non-Jewish people.”
A few years after his Damascus Road conversion, the Holy Spirit led believers in Antioch to commission Paul and Barnabas as missionaries. On successive trips, Paul evangelized cities around the northwestern Mediterranean. Bible publishers often include maps of these “missionary journeys.” Over 15–20 years, Paul planted churches in four Roman provinces—thus obeying Christ’s “go” in the Great Commission, even if he never directly quoted it.
The New Testament reveals Paul’s passion for unreached frontiers. To the Corinthians, he spoke of preaching “in the regions beyond you” (2 Corinthians 10:16). He even mentioned plans to visit Spain—though we don’t know if he went. Geographically, Paul’s church planting fits the "uttermost parts of the earth" in Acts 1:8. He lived the Commission, even without quoting it.
Why didn’t Paul cite Jesus’ words? In a sense, he did—by referencing Abraham. God's call to Abraham in Genesis 12:1–3 laid the foundation for world evangelism. In Galatians 3:8, Paul says God announced the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” To Paul, the Great Commission was not a new concept—it echoed God’s ancient call. Matthew 28:19–20 simply restates Genesis 12:3 and its reiterations in Genesis 18, 22, and 26.
If Paul saw his ministry as fulfilling God’s desire from Genesis 12—a desire repeated in Matthew 28 and Acts 1—did he practice what he preached? From Acts and his letters, the answer is yes. Paul preached to unreached peoples, baptized converts, and discipled them into maturity by founding churches. He emphasized Christian maturity throughout his writings.
Paul wasn’t a “Lone Ranger” missionary. He was sent by a church and never traveled alone. He partnered with Barnabas, Silas, Luke, John Mark, Timothy, and others. These coworkers helped him fulfill what Matthew 28:19–20 commands. Moreover, Paul wanted all believers engaged in world evangelism. He encouraged congregations to be senders, supporters, and “Christ’s ambassadors” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Though Paul never explicitly cited Jesus’ Great Commission, he clearly embraced its essence—starting with God’s covenant with Abraham. Paul’s life and ministry reflect a deep commitment to making disciples of all nations.
This article first appeared in Illustrated Bible Life, a curriculum piece published by The Foundry for adult Sunday School teachers. It has been slightly modified for this website.
Who was the Apostle Paul?
Paul did not explicitly reference Matthew 28:19–20, Mark 16:15, or Acts 1:8 in his letters. Yet that omission doesn't suggest he undervalued the Great Commission. He may have communicated its message through preaching, mentoring, and letters we no longer possess. His emphasis on evangelism, discipleship, and global outreach runs throughout his writings.