word, the new community Jesus forms is a brotherhood of the sons of God and of his disciples. Intrinsic to this description of Jesus and his new community are two features Matthew is at pains to emphasize throughout his story: on the one hand, the uniqueness of Jesus as the Son of God; and on the other hand, his close association with the disciples as sons of God and brothers. Thus, Jesus stands out from the disciples as the obvious figure of authority. The relationship he has with them is characterized