Mark 16:15 Commentary - Whedon's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

15. Go ye into all the world These words somewhat resemble the great commission given in Mat 28:16-20, on the mountain in Galilee, but they were now uttered on a different occasion, namely, as they sat at meat. As these words were addressed to all preachers of the word, who are therein successors to the apostles, so they make it the duty of the Church to prosecute the enterprise of converting the world. Nations nominally Christian are to be converted to a real piety. Heathen nations are to be converted to the acceptance of a vital Christianity. The words sound as a trumpet blast pealing through all ages to the army of faith to win the world to the Saviour. Preach The preacher and the preaching are divine institutions. They are established by Christ, and shall last till the world shall end. All other moral means of converting the world to righteousness the press, the sabbath school, the voluntary societies, social prayer meetings, class meetings, and other meetings for Christian counsel are auxiliary to the preacher and the preaching of the word. The Gospel That is the “good news.” (See note on Mat 1:1.) Preach the good news that there is a Saviour who can save us from sin, death, and hell, and endow us with holiness, blessedness, and heaven. Preach the good news, that all who hunger and thirst after righteousness, and desire to turn from sin to piety, may find the way. Every creature That has a soul to be saved.