In this verse, Jesus asserts His authority over all creation, both in heaven and on earth. This declaration comes after His resurrection, emphasizing that He has been given all power by God.
Explain Matthew 28:18Bible Verses About Authority
What does the Bible say about authority?
All authority in heaven and on earth belongs to the risen Jesus, according to Matthew 28:18. Romans 13:1-2 teaches that governing authorities are instituted by God and should ordinarily be respected, yet because their power is delegated, human rulers answer to a higher throne and hold no ultimate claim over a believer's conscience.
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Romans 13:1-2Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist have been ordained by God.
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What the Bible teaches
Every authority is borrowed, none of it original
Romans 13:1 says it plainly: "there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist have been ordained by God." Psalm 103:19 gives the reason, because God's kingdom "rules over all." Every human office is on loan. That limits it just as much as it approves it.
Jesus holds the final authority, and that is why the church has a mission
In Matthew 28:18 Jesus claims "all power in heaven and on earth." The very next word in the passage is "therefore." The Great Commission rests on his authority, not on what the church can pull together. The disciples are sent out carrying someone else's orders.
Government has a job description, not a blank check
1 Peter 2:13-14 tells believers to submit to human authorities. It describes governors as people sent "to punish evildoers and to praise those who do well." Romans 13:2 warns that fighting the authority means fighting what God set up. Peter wrote this while Rome was in charge. That made the instruction costly, and it also shows it does not depend on a government being Christian.
Church leaders hold authority they will answer for
Hebrews 13:17 tells believers to obey their leaders. It then explains that those leaders "watch over your souls and will have to answer to God for how they did it." The accountability runs upward. Christians are asked to make that job a joy rather than a burden, because the whole arrangement is meant to serve them.
The authority in teaching belongs to the message
Titus 2:15 tells Titus to teach, encourage, and correct "with full authority," and to let no one look down on him. The weight comes from the message he was given, which the letter has just spelled out. That keeps real authority from resting on personality or on how long someone has held the job.
More verses about authority
In this verse, Paul instructs Titus to teach important truths about Christian living with confidence and authority. He emphasizes the need for encouragement and correction, ensuring that the message is delivered firmly.
Explain Titus 2:15In this verse, Peter encourages us to respect and submit to the authority of human leaders, like kings and government officials. This submission is not just about obeying rules; it’s about honoring God.
Explain 1 Peter 2:13-14This verse emphasizes God's sovereignty and authority over all creation. It states that the Lord has established His throne in the heavens, indicating His supreme power and control over the universe.
Explain Psalm 103:19In Hebrews 13:17, the author emphasizes the importance of respecting and obeying church leaders. These leaders are responsible for guiding and caring for the spiritual well-being of their congregation.
Explain Hebrews 13:17Keep studying authority
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Frequently asked questions
Does Romans 13 mean Christians must obey every law and every ruler?
The New Testament also records people who disobeyed rulers and were right to do it. In Acts 5:29 the apostles answer the authorities with "we ought to obey God rather than men." The Hebrew midwives refused Pharaoh's order to kill baby boys, and God treated them well (Exodus 1:17-21). Daniel's friends refused to bow down in Daniel 3:16-18. Romans 13:1-2 sets up a real expectation that Christians will submit. It does not require anyone to sin because a ruler said to.
Are corrupt or hostile leaders still "ordained by God"?
Romans 13:1 does not sort rulers into good ones and bad ones. Peter wrote 1 Peter 2:13-14 under an empire that would later put Christians to death. Jesus told Pilate in John 19:11 that he would have no power at all unless it had been given to him from above. He said that moments before Pilate condemned him. Scripture says authority is held under God without approving how it gets used. Daniel 4 shows God removing a ruler who forgot that.
How much authority do church leaders actually have over me?
Hebrews 13:17 asks for real submission to leaders who watch over souls and will answer to God for it. So the authority is genuine, and it is limited to that purpose. 1 Peter 5:2-3 tells elders to care for the flock willingly and to lead by example instead of throwing their weight around. Church authority in the New Testament is pastoral and answerable to God. It is never a claim on someone's whole life.
What does "all authority in heaven and on earth" mean for Christians today?
Matthew 28:18-20 makes it the reason to go to all nations and teach people to obey Christ's commands, with the promise that he is always present. In practice it means no other authority is final, whether that is a government, a boss, or a fear. It also means the mission is not optional. It carries the weight of the one who gave it.
How should I respond to an authority I strongly disagree with?
1 Peter 2:13-14 asks for submission for the Lord's sake. That means the reason is your relationship with God, not your approval of the leader. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 adds prayer for kings and everyone in authority. Acts 5:29 keeps the limit in place when obedience would mean disobeying God. Disagreeing, appealing, and resisting through lawful means are all different from contempt, which these passages consistently rule out.
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