Date

7-21-2026

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Bible Exposition (PhD)

Chair

Jeffrey Kennedy

Keywords

Matthew, Prophecy, Commissioning, Christology, Discipleship, Inclusio

Disciplines

Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Abstract

Scholars have long examined Matthew’s Gospel for its fulfillment quotations and theological emphases but have often overlooked its structural dependence on the Old Testament (OT) prophetic commissioning formula. This formula—divine encounter, mission mandate, prophetic objection, divine reassurance, and a sign of validation—serves as a critical framework throughout Matthew’s narrative, linking Christology, discipleship, and mission. This study addresses the gap by demonstrating how Matthew integrates these commissioning motifs to present Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of Israel’s prophetic tradition and to emphasize the continuity between Israel’s covenantal promises and the mission inaugurated by Jesus.

While the Limited Commission (Matt 10:5–42) and Great Commission (Matt 28:16–20) have been studied individually, their relationship through OT prophetic motifs—namely, the prophetic commissioning formula reflected in the call narratives of Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel—has not been adequately addressed, leaving a gap this dissertation seeks to fill. By framing these commissions as part of an inclusio structure, Matthew demonstrates how the mission of Jesus and his disciples reflects both continuity with Israel’s prophetic past and expansion into a universal mission for the nations.

Central to this dissertation is the argument that Matthew’s use of the prophetic commissioning formula underscores key aspects of Jesus’s identity, mission, and the cost of discipleship. The Gospel portrays Jesus as the ultimate prophet who embodies divine authority, fulfills Israel’s redemptive mission, and extends God’s covenant to all nations. At the same time, it positions the disciples as inheritors of this prophetic vocation, emphasizing the challenges and responsibilities of continuing Jesus’s mission. This dual focus on Christology and discipleship demonstrates how Matthew’s narrative integrates theological themes with literary coherence, presenting a robust vision of the kingdom of God.

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