Greek Key Terms:
Context: Final words of risen Christ before ascension. Follows resurrection (28:1-10), appearance to eleven disciples in Galilee (28:16-17). Matthew's Gospel climaxes with this commission, framing entire narrative: begins with "Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham" (1:1 - Jewish particularity); ends with "all nations" (28:19 - Gentile universality).
Connections:
Connection Method(s): Typology (Direct, Forward-Looking), Redemptive-Historical Progression — Christ as last Adam commissions new humanity to fulfill the original Eden-expansion mandate, escalating at every level: from limited authority to "all authority," from biological filling to spiritual disciple-making, from frustrated by Fall to guaranteed by resurrection.
Christological Connection: Christ as last Adam commissions new humanity to fulfill original Eden-expansion mandate. Escalation at every level: Genesis 1:28 gave limited authority to Adam; Matthew 28:18 declares Christ has all authority in heaven and earth - unrestricted sovereignty. Adam was to fill earth biologically; Christ commands filling earth spiritually through disciple-making. Adam's commission was frustrated by Fall (Genesis 3); Christ's commission succeeds because He conquered sin/death through resurrection. Where Adam was expelled from Eden (Genesis 3:24), Christ sends disciples out from Jerusalem (Acts 1:8) to expand sacred space globally. Profound difference: Adam's commission was implicit (fill earth by multiplying); Great Commission is explicit (make disciples of all nations). Adam multiplied human image-bearers; Christ multiplies renewed image-bearers being "transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another" (2 Corinthians 3:18). The trajectory shows Eden-expansion fulfilled through gospel: from Adamic physical multiplication → to Abrahamic promise of blessing to nations → to prophetic vision of earth filled with God's knowledge (Isaiah 11:9; Habakkuk 2:14) → to Christ commissioning disciples → to Pentecost empowerment (Acts 2) → to global missions → to consummation when "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (Habakkuk 2:14). Revelation 7:9 previews result: "a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne" - Garden Commission fulfilled as redeemed humanity from all nations fills new creation with worship.
Trajectory Table: 062 - Garden Commission (Extending Sacred Space)