2/16 Mark 16:15

¹⁵ And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

The gospel of Matthew presents the Great Commission as going into the world to make disciples of all nations. That is different from Mark's version of simply proclaiming the good news to all creation. Whenever we see what appear to be differences in the Scriptures, we should first search for their compatibility. Because of the great deal of common material, we can assume three of the Gospel writers saw the first one that was written and decided to fill in any missing components they thought were important. Many scholars believe that Mark's Gospel was the first to be written, possibly drawing from now lost Hebrew sayings of Jesus written by Matthew. If that was the case, then Matthew saw the need to add to what Mark wrote concerning the preaching of the gospel, the necessity of making disciples and baptizing them.

It is not enough simply to proclaim the good news. Once the new believer receives the good news, someone must teach him the disciplines and lifestyle of a believer and the way to live his new life out in everyday life. The world is continually bombarding us with its temptations and alternatives that promise happiness. The babes in Christ need someone to teach them to walk in the Spirit.

Some believers are gifted at proclaiming the gospel. They would prefer Mark's Great Commission. Other Christians are gifted to disciple the new believers so that they can stand firm in the Lord. They might prefer Matthew's Great Commission. Both are essential, and they should work hand in hand rather than competing with one another. Which has God gifted you to do?

Consider: One sows, another waters, but God gives the increase (1Corinthians 3:6).