What IS everything Jesus told us to obey?
Jesus didn’t just invite people to believe in Him—He commanded His followers to obey Him. In His final words before ascending to heaven, He gave this charge:
“Go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19–20)
That raises a big question: What exactly did Jesus command?
Was it just “love your neighbor” and “go to church,” or is there more? If we’re called to teach others everything He said, we need to know what “everything” actually is.
What follows is a comprehensive list of Jesus’ direct instructions from the four Gospels—organized so you can see the full picture of what He expects from His disciples.
Commands About God and Worship
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.” (Matt. 22:37)
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” (Matt. 6:33)
“Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” (Matt. 4:10)
“Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” (Matt. 4:7)
“Fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt. 10:28)
“Abide in me, and I in you.” (John 15:4)
“Remain in my love.” (John 15:9)
Commands About Faith and Following Jesus
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Matt. 4:17)
“Follow me.” (Matt. 4:19; John 21:19)
“Believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1)
“Do not fear; only believe.” (Mark 5:36)
“Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
“Strive to enter through the narrow door.” (Luke 13:24)
“Abide in my word… and you will know the truth.” (John 8:31–32)
Commands About Love and Relationships
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 22:39)
“As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” (Luke 6:27)
“Do to others what you would have them do to you.” (Matt. 7:12)
“If you are offering your gift at the altar and remember your brother has something against you, first be reconciled to your brother.” (Matt. 5:23–24)
“If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” (Luke 17:3)
“Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)
“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:28)
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
“Do not judge… do not condemn.” (Luke 6:37)
“Go and be reconciled.” (Matt. 5:24)
Commands About Character and Conduct
“Be perfect [complete] as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matt. 5:48)
“Let your light shine before others.” (Matt. 5:16)
“Let your ‘Yes’ be yes and your ‘No’ be no.” (Matt. 5:37)
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth.” (Matt. 6:19)
“Do not be anxious about your life.” (Matt. 6:25)
“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” (Matt. 10:28)
“Be on your guard against all covetousness.” (Luke 12:15)
“Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.” (Matt. 16:6)
“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Matt. 26:41)
Commands About Service and Humility
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” (Matt. 20:26)
“Wash one another’s feet, as I have done to you.” (John 13:14)
“Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” (Matt. 5:42)
“When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” (Matt. 6:3)
“Freely you have received; freely give.” (Matt. 10:8)
Commands About Prayer and Spiritual Life
“Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven…’” (Matt. 6:9)
“Always pray and do not lose heart.” (Luke 18:1)
“Ask… seek… knock.” (Matt. 7:7)
“When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face.” (Matt. 6:17)
“Watch and pray.” (Matt. 26:41)
Commands About Mission and Witness
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19–20)
“You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others.” (Matt. 5:14–16)
“Proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’” (Matt. 10:7)
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.” (Matt. 10:8)
“Do not fear… what I tell you in the dark, say in the light.” (Matt. 10:27)
“Be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matt. 10:16)
“Take up your cross and follow me.” (Matt. 10:38)
Commands About Sacraments and Remembrance
“Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19)
“Take, eat; this is my body.” (Matt. 26:26)
“Drink of it, all of you.” (Matt. 26:27)
“Baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” (Matt. 28:19)
When Jesus told us to teach others everything He commanded, He wasn’t giving us a casual suggestion—He was laying out the blueprint for following Him. This list may feel overwhelming at first, but remember: Jesus doesn’t call you to obey in your own strength. He calls you to abide in Him, and He promises His Spirit will empower you to walk in His ways.
Discipleship isn’t about checking off a list of commands—it’s about knowing Jesus so deeply that His words shape your life. As you grow in obeying Him, you’ll also grow in helping others do the same—and that’s exactly what He told us to accomplish.
