"Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you'" (Jn 20:21). This was one of the first things he said to them which shows it had a high priority. "Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations'" (Mt 28:18). It was the next phase of the purpose for which he had been sent because the word "therefore" logically connects the first part with the second. The first part shows that God had given him an assignment. In the same way sending the disciples out was a continuation of that command. The Greek word used means "just as to the same degree." Jesus did what he had been directed to do and now had been given authority to command what was necessary to do next. The disciples became representatives. Beforehand he had said that the Holy Spirit "'will testify about Me, and you will testify also'" (Jn 15:26). They had seen him and Jesus confirmed this by saying, "'You shall be my witnesses'" (Ac 1:8). He also gave them encouragement saying, "'I am with you always, even to the end of the age'" (Mt 28:20).
Furthermore he said, "'I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you'" (Lk 24:49). "The Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me'" (Jn 15:26). "'He will bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said to you'" (14:26). He instructed them to "'make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to observe all that I commanded you'" (Mt 28:20). This involved explaining and educating people who would become believers and followers obedient to the commands. He said to go to "'all the world . . . to all creation'" (Mk 16:15) to "'all the nations'" (Mt 28:19). They were to "'preach the gospel'" (Mk 16:15) and "repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name" (Lk 24:47). It would involve "'baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit'" (Mt 28:19). "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved, but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned'" (Mk 16:16). Signs of the manifestation of the Spirit would "'accompany those who have believed'" (:17). So "they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed" (:20). There's the example where Jesus said, "'Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch'" (Jn 21:6). Someone complained that "these men who have upset the world have come here also" (Ac 17:6).