Abstract

The dissertation examined the uses of shepherd imagery in ancient literature preceding the New Testament and in the Synoptic Gospels. Chapter one introduced the study, defining its scope and christological emphasis. Chapter two described the metaphorical uses of shepherd language in the Old Testament, the Apocrypha, the Pseudepigrapha, the writings of Philo, at Qumran, and in Greek literature. ;Chapters two through four examined the uses of shepherd imagery in the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke, respectively. In Mark, Jesus' compassion for the people, resulting in his teaching and the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, revealed him as the true shepherd of Israel, in contrast to the false leadership to which they had been subjected. Jesus' crucifixion was described as the shepherd being smitten for the sheep. In Matthew, Jesus was shown to be the true shepherd of Israel and Son of David, whose mission envisioned the inclusion of all nations. In Luke, the mission of Jesus to the lost predominated. ;It was concluded that shepherd imagery depicted the major facets of Jesus' ministry--teaching, mighty acts, mission to the lost, passion, and coming judgment