24) The Structure of the Gospel of Matthew

 The Structure of the Gospel of Matthew

Prologue

                  Genealogy 1:1-17 ( Jesus’ place in God’s saving history – God with us - Immanuel)

                  Infancy narrative 1:18-2:23 ( in five scenes )

                                    Annunciation 1:18-25
                                    Magi 2:1-12
                                    Flight to Egypt 2:13-15
                                    Massacre of Innocents 2:16-18
                                    Return to Nazareth 2:19-23

Preparations for Jesus' ministry

                  The ministry of John the Baptist 3:1-12

                  Jesus' baptism (announced as Son) 3:13-17

                  Temptation 4:1-12 (tempted as Son)

                  The light dawns 4: 13-16

Jesus' Galilean ministry

                  Introduction  4: 17-25

                                 Summary of Jesus' message of the kingdom 4:17

                                 Call of  the first disciples 4:18-22

Summary of Jesus' ministry of teaching, preaching and healing 4:23- 25 ( Jesus reveals what the Good News looks like)

                  1st major discourse: The sermon on the Mount 5:1-7:29 ( Jesus as the New Moses )

A cycle of miracle stories 8:1-9:32 (themes of following and Jesus' authority ) ( Who is this? The suffering servant who carries us Mt 8:17))

                  2nd major discourse: The disciples are commissioned 10:1-11:1

Jesus' ministry and identity are questioned misunderstood and opposed 11:2-12:50 which leads Jesus to judge his own generation. ( Jesus the suffering servant  Mt 12:18-20)

                  3rd major discourse: The Parables of the Kingdom 13:1-52

Narrative section 13:53 -17:27 (section in which Jesus' identity continues to be questioned and witnesses Jesus' attention turning to the disciples who will recognize Jesus as Messiah and Son of God . Jesus turns towards Jerusalem but will need to educate the disciples to be prepared for the Passion) 

                  4th major discourse: The community rule 18:1-19:1

Narrative section 19:2-20:34 in which Jesus continues to prepare the disciples as they learn about the values of the kingdom.

Jesus' Jerusalem ministry

                  21:1-23:39 After Jesus' entry into the city the opposition is defeated and

                  judged in a number of scenes culminating in the woes upon the Pharisees and Jerusalem.

                  5th major discourse: The eschatological discourse 24:1-25:46

26:1-27:66 The Passion narrative (the Son who gives his life as a ransom for many is betrayed, abandoned, blasphemed and recognised)

28: 1-20 The Resurrection and commission to baptise and preach the gospel to all nations.   (The Risen One sends us to the world and will be with us till the end of time )