This is a period, only a few months before the cross, where Jesus faced the cynicism and shallow fickleness of the crowds (Mt 16:14), a disintegrating constituency (Jn 6:66), and the deepening hostility of the religious leadership (Mt 15:1–2; 16:1, 6, 12). In the fourth major discourse recorded in Matthew’s Gospel (5:1–7:29; 10:5–42; 13:1–52; 18:1–35) Jesus set forth those attitudinal qualities that must govern the disciples’ relationships with one another and with outsiders: humility, generosity,