What Does Matthew 28:18 Mean in the King James?

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Matthew 28:18 · KJV
The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

The “power” given to Jesus is authority whose reach spans both heaven and earth.

Jesus speaks to you now from authority that has been granted and stands established. Its scope reaches across heaven and earth, so no part of your life lies outside the reach named here.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

This undoes the belief that Jesus’ authority belongs only to spiritual matters: the verse explicitly places heaven and earth within its reach.

ἐξουσία

exousia

GROWS FROM

ἔξεστιν

exesti

It is permitted; one has the right or freedom to act.

The Greek word translated “power” carries the sense of authority or the right to act. Its word family connects that authority with permission, so the verse speaks of a granted right with reach across the whole of heaven and earth.

ALSO GROWS

exestin: It is permitted; one has the right to do something.

ἐξέστιν

This related form reveals the permission or right beneath the authority named in the verse.

exousiazō: To exercise authority or hold sway.

ἐξουσιάζω

The related verb shows authority moving from a granted right into action.

δέδοται

dedotai

GROWS FROM

δίδωμι

didōmi

To give, grant, or bestow.

“is given” in this verse is dedotai. The verb is in a form that presents the giving as accomplished and its result as standing: the authority is granted and remains in force. Its root also appears in words for sharing and handing over, opening a picture of authority as something entrusted.

ALSO GROWS

metadidōmi: To share or impart.

μεταδίδωμι

This compound shows the same giving root carrying something onward to another.

paradidōmi: To hand over or deliver.

παραδίδωμι

This compound makes the act of transfer explicit: what is given passes into another’s keeping.

Authority in God’s order is granted, and its reach is named through what it is given to do.

And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Daniel 7:14 · KJVDominion is given, and its reach extends across peoples and nations.
And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
John 5:27 · KJVThe same pattern appears directly: authority is given to Jesus and named through its exercise.
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Matthew 10:1 · KJVThe authority Jesus receives is also given outward, with its reach shown in what the disciples are empowered to do.
And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
John 5:27 · KJV

Matthew 28:18 and John 5:27 use the same Greek word, ⁨ἐξουσία⁩ (exousia), meaning authority or the right to act. John names one way that authority is exercised; Matthew names its full scope as heaven and earth.

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Matthew 28:18 KJV Meaning