Archive
2013 year, issue 6 read »
2013 year, issue 2 read »
«The Ethnology Notebooks» 2019 year, issue 3 read »
The Ethnology Notebooks. 2022. #4 (166). P. 745-1010 DOI... read »

« 2026. № 5 (191)

The Ethnology Notebooks. 2026. № 5 (191), 1633—

UDK 27-247.4-277

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/

  • Received: 26.08.2026
  • Accepted: 24.09.2026
  • Published: ??.??.2026

MATTHEW 9:36—38 AS A HERMENEUTICAL KEY TO A HOLISTIC THEOLOGY OF MISSION IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

RUSYN Ivan

  • ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9914-0040
  • Candidate of Philosophical Sciences,
  • Rector of Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary,
  • Lecturer in the Department of Theology,
  • Faculty of Theology and Christian Ministry,
  • Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary,
  • 57, K. Tsisyk str., 04075, Kyiv, Ukraine,
  • Contacts: e-mail: Ivan.rusyn@uets.edu.ua

Abstract. Introduction. This article is devoted to the study of Matt. 9:36—38 as a hermeneutical key to a holistic theology of mission in the Gospel of Matthew.

 Problem statement. The paper argues that an understanding of mission in Matthew cannot be limited solely to the Great Commission (Matt. 28:16—20).

Purpose. Since Matt. 9:36—38 already contains significant theological, missiological, and practical emphases that define the nature of the mission of Jesus and His disciples.

 Methods. Through an analysis of the literary context, it is shown that this passage serves as a transitional bridge between Jesus’ mission in word and deed (Matt. 4:23—9:35) and the mission of the disciples (Matt. 10). Particular attention is given to the exegesis of the missionary metaphors «sheep without a shepherd» and «the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few», as well as to the themes of mercy and urgency that shape Jesus’ missionary response.

 Results. It is demonstrated that the mission in Matthew is holistic in nature and includes both the proclamation of the Kingdom of God and service to people in their spiritual, physical, and social needs. The conclusions assert that Matt. 9:36—38 significantly complements the understanding of the Great Commission and serves as an important text for the formation of a contemporary holistic theology of mission, especially in the context of war and social crisis.

Keywords: мission, holistic mission, theology of mission, Gospel of Matthew, Matthew 9:36—38, Great Commission, mercy, social justice.

REFERENCES

  • Cotterell, P. (1990). Mission and meaninglessness: The good news in a world of suffering and disorder. London: SPCK.
  • Nissen, J. (1999). New Testament and mission: Historical and hermeneutical perspectives. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang.
  • Kostenberger, A.J., & O’Brien, P.T. (2001). Salvation to the ends of the earth: A biblical theology of mission. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
  • Bosch, D.J. (2011). Transforming mission: Paradigm shifts in theology of mission. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.
  • Verkuyl, J. (1978). Contemporary missiology: An introduction. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
  • Hill, D. (1972). The Gospel of Matthew. London: Butler & Tanner.
  • France, R.T. (2007). The Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
  • Park, C.E. (1995). The mission discourse in Matthew’s interpretation. Tubingen: Mohr Siebeck.
  • Green, J.B. (1997). The Gospel of Luke. Dallas, TX: Word.
  • Muller, K. (1987). Mission theology: An introduction. Nettetal: Steyler Verlag.
  • Senior, D. (1998). Matthew. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.
  • Ellis, P.F. (1985). Matthew: His mind and his message. Collegeville; MN: Liturgical Press.
  • Luz, U. (2007). Matthew 1—7. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.
  • Weaver, D.J. (1990). Matthew’s missionary discourse. Sheffield: JSOT Press.
  • Howell, D. (1990). Matthew’s inclusive story. Sheffield: JSOT Press.
  • Hagner, D.A. (1993). Matthew 1—13. Dallas, TX: Word.
  • Bauer, D.R. (1989). The structure of Matthew’s Gospel: A study in literary design. Sheffield: Almond Press.
  • Gardner, R.B. (1991). Matthew. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press.
  • Bruner, F.D. (2007). Matthew: A commentary (Vol. 1). Grand Rapids; MI: Eerdmans.
  • Davies, W.D., & Allison, D.C. (2004). A critical and exegetical commentary on the Gospel according to Saint Matthew. London: T & T Clark.
  • Harvey, J., Meade, D.H., Larkin, W.J., & Williams, J.F. (Eds.). (2005). Mission in Jesus’ teaching. In: D.H. Meade, W.J. Larkin, J.F. Williams. Mission in the New Testament: An evangelical approach. Maryknoll; NY: Orbis Books.
  • Emerton, J.A., & Cranfield, C.E.B. (1991). Matthew. Edinburgh: T & T Clark.
  • Kingsbury, J.D. (1984). Matthew as story. Philadelphia; PA: Fortress Press.
  • Luz, U. (2005). Studies in Matthew. Grand Rapids; MI: Eerdmans.
  • Luz, U. (2001). Matthew 8—20. Minneapolis; MN: Fortress Press.
  • Green, M. (2000). The message of Matthew: The kingdom of heaven. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
  • Hendriksen, W. (2002). Matthew. Grand Rapids; MI: Baker.
  • Thomas, R.L. (1998). New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek dictionaries. Anaheim; CA: Foundation Publications.
  • Moulton, J.H., & Milligan, G. (1976). Ῥίπτω. The vocabulary of the Greek Testament. London: Hodder & Stoughton.
  • Bieder, W., Kittel, G., Bromiley, G.W., & Friedrich, G. (Eds.). (1964). Ῥίπτω, Ἐπιρίπτω, Ἀπορίπτω. In: G. Kittel, G.W. Bromiley, G. Friedrich. Theological dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids; MI: Eerdmans.
  • Allison, D.C. (2013). The New Moses: A Matthean typology. Eugene; OR: Wipf & Stock.
  • Harrington, D.J. (1991). The Gospel of Matthew. Collegeville; MN: Liturgical Press.
  • Senior, D. (1997). The Gospel of Matthew. Nashville; TN: Abingdon Press.
  • Anderson, J.C., Bauer, D.R.. & Powell, M.A. (Eds.). (1996). Matthew: Sermon and story. In: D.R. Bauer, M.A. Powell. Treasures new and old: Recent contributions to Matthean studies. Atlanta; GA: Scholars Press.
  • Carson, D.A. (1995). Matthew 1—12. Grand Rapids; MI: Zondervan.
  • Green, M. (2000a). The message of Matthew. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press.
  • Hare, D.R.A. (1993). Matthew. Louisville; KY: John Knox Press.
  • Garland, D.E. (2013). Reading Matthew: A literary and theological commentary. Macon; GA: Smyth & Helwys.
  • Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew. Grand Rapids; MI: Eerdmans.
  • Hauck, F., Kittel, G., Bromiley, G.W., & Friedrich, G. (Eds.). (1964). κηρύσσω. In: G. Kittel, G.W. Bromiley, G. Friedrich. Theological dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: MI: Eerdmans.
  • Verbrugge, V.D. (Ed.). (2000). κηρύσσω. The NIV theological dictionary of New Testament words. Grand Rapids; MI: Zondervan.
  • Demarest, B.A., Verbrugge, V.D. (Ed.). (1975). θερισμός. In: V.D. Verbrugge. New international dictionary of New Testament theology.
  • Lenski, R.C.H. (1961). The interpretation of St. Matthew’s Gospel. Minneapolis; MN: Augsburg.
  • Esser, H.H., & Verbrugge V.D. (Ed.). (1975). σπλαγχνίζομαι. In: V.D. Verbrugge. New international dictionary of New Testament theology.
  • Koster, H., Kittel, G., Bromiley, G.W., & Friedrich, G. (Eds.). (1964). σπλάγχνον. In: G. Kittel, G.W. Bromiley, G. Friedrich. Theological dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids; MI: Eerdmans.
  • Keener, C.S. (1999). A commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids; MI: Eerdmans.
  • Stock, A. (1994). The method and the message of Matthew. Collegeville; MN: Liturgical Press..
  • Luz, U. (1995). The theology of the Gospel of Matthew. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Greeven, H., Kittel, G., Bromiley, G.W., & Friedrich, G. (Eds.). (1964). δέομαι. In: G. Kittel, G.W. Bromiley, G. Friedrich. Theological dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
  • Schonweiss, H., & Verbrugge, V.D. (Eds.). (1975). προσεύχομαι. In: V.D. Verbrugge. New international dictionary of New Testament theology.
  • Gundry, R.H. (1982). Matthew: A commentary on his literary and theological art. Grand Rapids; MI: Eerdmans.
  • Vincent, M.R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament. New York; NY: Scribner.
  • Beeftu, A. (1989). Foundation of development: Compassion or pity? Evangelical Mission Quarterly, 25 (3), 290—298.
  • Thangaraj, M.T. (1999). The common task: A theology of Christian mission. Nashville; TN: Abingdon Press.
  • Soloviy, R. (2025). Challenges for discipleship in the context of the war of attrition: The Ukrainian case. European Journal of Theology, 34 (1), 124—150.
  • Raichynets, F., Heichenko, O., Solovii, R., & Ustinovych, Ye. (Eds.). (2025). Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God (Mt. 5:8). In: O. Heichenko, R. Solovii, Ye. Ustinovych. The Beatitudes and terror: Ukrainian theological response to Russian aggression (Pp. 191—212). Kyiv: Dukh i Litera [in Ukrainian].
  • Oborji, F.A. (2006). Concepts of mission. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.
  • Senior, D., & Stuhlmueller, C. (1983). The biblical foundation of mission. London: SCM Press.
  • Hagner, D.A. (1998). Matthew 14—28. Dallas; TX: Word.
  • Rusyn, I., Solovii, R., Heichenko, O., Ustinovych, Ye. (Eds.). (2025). Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. In: R. Solovii, O. Heichenko, Ye. Ustinovych. The Beatitudes and terror: Ukrainian theological response to Russian aggression (Pp. 125—165). Kyiv: Dukh i Litera [in Ukrainian].
  • Crawley, W. (1991). Global mission. Nashville; TN: Broadman Press.
  • Ustinovych, Ye., Heichenko, O., Solovii, R., & Ustinovych, Ye. (Eds.). (2025). Introduction. In: O. Heichenko, R. Solovii, Ye. Ustinovych. The Beatitudes and terror: Ukrainian theological response to Russian aggression (Pp. 7—28). Kyiv: Dukh i Litera [in Ukrainian].
  • Stankevych, V., Heichenko, O., Solovii, R., & Ustinovych, Ye. (Eds.). (2025). Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy (Mt. 5:7). In: O. Heichenko, R. Solovii, Ye. Ustinovych. The Beatitudes and terror: Ukrainian theological response to Russian aggression (Pp. 165—190). Kyiv: Dukh i Litera [in Ukrainian].
  • Soloviy, R. (2024). The church amidst the war of attrition: Ukrainian evangelical community in search of a new mission paradigm. Religions, 15 (9).
  • Dyatlyk, T., Heichenko, O., Solovii, R., & Ustinovych, Ye. (Eds.). (2025). Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God (Mt. 5:9). In: O. Heichenko, R. Solovii, Ye. Ustinovych. The Beatitudes and terror: Ukrainian theological response to Russian aggression (Pp. 213—252). Kyiv: Dukh i Litera [in Ukrainian].
Our authors
Stepan Pavluk. Prof., full member of NAS of Ukraine,... read »
Oksana Kis. Senior scientific employee, candidate of... read »
Herus Lyudmyla. Doctor of Sciences in History,... read »
Segeda Sergij. Doctor of Sciences in History. Chief... read »
On bessarabian and moldavian ukrainians in the studies of historical ethnography
The article has thrown some light upon a sum of scientific findings got during XIX to XXI cc. in historio-ethnographic studies of Bessarabia and Moldavian Ukrainians. In the pre­sent paper has been given author’s answer to the problem of lacking progress as for the numerous themes concerning Ukrainians. State and achievements of the research-works in Ukrainians’ material and spiritual culture by the scientists of Moldavia and Ukraine through the years of independence has been exposed.
Read »

Traditional folk clothes of velikobychkovsky hutsuly of XIX — the first half of XX century
In the study based upon numerous field materials, literature sources as well as ethnographic, historio-cultural and regional museum collections has been performed complex analysis in traditional folk clothes by Hutzul population of Velyky Bychkiv village in Transcarpathian region. Detailed descriptions of femi­nine and masculine clothing complexes of the mentioned area have been presented. In characterizing of those main attention has been paid to the detail of cut in separate components of dress; cut of feminine shirt has been added as an illustration.
Read »

Maternity ritualism by volhynians in publications of the second half XIX to the early XXI cc.
In the article have been considered some basic landmarks for fixing and publication of ethnographic materials on the maternity rites of Volhynia with analytical study in ritual elements, their kinds and territories of origin. The article has also raised a problem of gaps in studies of maternity rites of Ukrainian historio-ethnographic Volhynia.
Read »

Wax candle as ukrainian Christmas and epiphany ritualistic text
For the first time in native ethnology the article has brought some results of special study in sign functionality of a wax candle under the context of Ukrainian Christmas and Epiphany ritualistic text (ritualism of Christmas Eve, New Year, Epiphany Eve and Feast of Epiphany). The study has stated extremely high semiotic position of a wax candle as projection of Sun, mediator between the spheres of sacral and prophane elements, symbolic analogue of human existence, apotropy, cultural symbol re-establishing borders of acculturated space.
Read »