This section of Matthew’s Gospel begins with the words “When he came down from the mountain…” (Matthew 8:1). The events of the following chapters take place in the shadow of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5—7), which we explored last year. The Sermon is many things: a recapitulation of the law of God, a manifesto for God’s Kingdom. But it is also a character profile of the true Son of God. The Sermon answers the question: “What does the true Son of God look like?” The ensuing chapters (Matthew 8—12) can be read as a search for the true Son of God. Jesus continues his preaching ministry (Matthew 8—9) and then sends out his twelve disciples as an extension of his preaching ministry (Matthew 10). The response is underwhelming. Jesus denounces the cities in which his miracles had been performed for their lack of repentance (Matt 11:20). Jesus is opposed not only by the religious leaders of his day (Matt 12:22–45 cf. 12:14), but even his own mother and brothers (Matt 12:46–50).