I have demonstrated the need to extend the scholarly conversation about the Son of Man in Matthew. Much of the scholarly discussion regarding the Son of Man in Matthew has tended to assume a minimal significance for Jesus’ function as the Son of Man or confined his role to eschatological judge. If these theological gaps are not filled, then one is left wondering what contribution, if any, the Son of Man logia have in Jesus’ earthly ministry, passion predictions, and the other passion literature, and what they suggest about Jesus’ function as the Son of Man in Matthew. This thesis will fill these gaps by providing a clearer and more specific study of the function of the Son of Man in Matthew and how such an analysis will further the theological implications for this all- important designation.
I will argue that Jesus the Son of Man’s function in Matthew is as mediator of God’s will to his disciples. The Son of Man is the go-between in relationship to God the Father and the disciples, teaching them God’s will and demonstrating the kind of
lifestyle necessary in obeying God’s will. When the Son of Man returns at his parousia, promised vindication and reward will be granted to faithful disciples who have
emulated the Son of Man in their obedience to God’s will. The Son of Man encourages his faithful disciples to endure in their obedience of God’s will throughout times of persecution and temptation to disregard God’s will for their lives and ministry.
My investigation into the function of the Son of Man in Matthew will be organized in three subsequent chapters. In each chapter, I will structure each section as follows: (1) provide a textual orientation to situate the Son of Man saying in its
immediate context, (2) compare the Son of Man saying(s) in Matthew with the other Synoptic Gospels, (3) present an exegetical analysis on the function of the Son of Man in that particular section, and (4) summarize the role the Son of Man plays in mediating God’s will to his disciples. In Chapter 2, I will investigate the Son of Man sayings that refer to Jesus’ earthly ministry (Matt 8–12). I will argue that the Son of Man’s function as mediator involves revealing God’s will to his disciples. The Son of Man
prophetically teaches his disciples the kind of behavior necessary to fulfill God’s will in their present and future ministries. In Chapter 3, I will investigate the Son of Man sayings that refer to Jesus’ suffering, death, and exaltation (Matt 16:13–28; 17:1–23;
20:17–28; 26:1–56). I will argue that the Son of Man’s function as mediator involves demonstrating God’s will to his disciples. The Son of Man’s priestly function of self- denying sacrifice and servanthood for the sake of others in obedience to God’s will demonstrates to his disciples the kind of self-denying sacrifice and servanthood
necessary in obeying God’s will in their present and future ministry. In Chapter 4, I will investigate the Son of Man sayings that refer to Jesus’ imminent parousia (Matt 13:24– 30, 36–43; 16:13–27; 19:16–30; 24:3–51; 25:31–46; 26:57–68). I will argue that the Son of Man’s function as mediator involves promising future vindication and reward for faithful disciples who have obeyed God’s will in their ministry and life. The Son of Man’s kingly function as judge will occur at his imminent parousia when he will vindicate and reward his faithful followers for their obedience to God’s will and will punish those who have rejected God and his will throughout their lives. In Chapter 5, I will summarize how my thesis has expanded Matthean research on the Son of Man, and how I have effectively argued that the Son of Man’s function in Matthew is as mediator of God’s will for his disciples.
CHAPTER 2
THE SON OF MAN’S MEDIATORIAL SIGNIFICANCE ON EARTH: REVEALING GOD’S WILL TO GENUINE DISCIPLES
1. Introduction
Previous scholarship in Matthean studies demonstrates a limited understanding of the Son of Man passages relating to Jesus’ life on earth. Many times, concentrating on the latter part of the Gospel, scholars emphasize the Son of Man’s role as judge in Matthew rather than expressing a holistic comprehension of the Son of Man’s role in the entire Gospel. An analysis of the Son of Man passages in Matt 8–12, relating to his earthly ministry, and Matt 16–17, 20, and 26, relating to his suffering and death, provides a more holistic view. This chapter examines Matt 8–12, concentrating on a Matthean understanding of the role of the Son of Man as mediator of God’s will to his genuine disciples during his life on earth.
As Son of Man in Matthew, Jesus fulfilled the role of mediator of God’s will on earth to his disciples. Many of Matthew’s passages identifying Jesus as the Son of Man on earth relate to the theme of discipleship. Jesus fulfilled God’s will throughout Matthew and revealed it to his disciples through praxis and teaching, emphasizing what was necessary to follow the Father’s divine will. Similarly, if the disciples adhere to God’s will by following the example of the Son of Man, they will continue his mission effectively. However, apart from the Son of Man, the disciples could neither know nor understand God’s will for them in the present or future and were, therefore, unable to practice God’s will. I will demonstrate the Son of Man’s revelation of God’s will to his disciples by specifically examining Matt 8‒12, while showing how this theme is
demonstrated in the Gospel as a whole. Moreover, I will also show how Mark and Luke fail to present this revelation of God’s will with the same emphasis and intentionality as in Matthew.