The Meaning of Make Disciples in the Broader Context of the Gospel of Matthew: A New Approach to Understanding Discipleship in the First Gospel

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Students of the Bible are generally comfortable with their understanding of the command
make disciples
(Matt 28:19). Indeed, most of them would argue that the Gospel writer, Matthew, spells out very clearly the meaning of the term in the Great Commission (Matt 28:16-20) by utilizing three key words, viz.,
go[ing],

baptizing,
and
teaching.
This point of view is the result of centuries of scholarly opinion that has looked primarily, if not solely, to these three adjacent participles of
make disciples
(Matt 28:19), and not to the entire Gospel of Matthew, for the meaning of the command. This book does not suggest that
going,

baptizing,
and
teaching
are not to be considered in determining the essence of Christian disciple-making. Rather, it contends that the three terms should not be our only source of meaning. This problem is tackled herein by demonstrating that Matthew establishes a framework within the Great Commission itself that points to a fuller meaning of
make disciples
in the broader context of his Gospel, and that the Gospel writer expects his reader to draw on his entire Gospel to grasp the full meaning of this important command.