Abstract
It is the thesis of this article that the con cluding pericope (xxviii 16-20) has controlled the entire design of the Gospel of Matthew. In this final commissioning the two main themes are "authority" and "teaching." These two themes are found consistently emphasized in each section of the Gospel so as to support the thesis and pre pare the reader for the concluding paragraph. This analysis suggests that the author was moti vated to produce a work in keeping with the com mand of the risen Lord.