Catacomb wall painting, Rome 4th century Matthew Rembrandt Jesus Christ Lord and Teacher of the Church Past Present uture
ive block pattern: Each block consisting of Narrative Discourse ormula Shift of geography The pattern is not completely consistent, but attested already in the 2 nd century in a fragment saying: Matthew curbs the audacity of the Jews checking them in five books as it were with bridles Three part story: Two formulae that seem to divide the Gospel into three sections Critical appraisal of the five block theory, asserting similarity to pattern in Mark ive part narrative: motivated by significant breaks in the text Block 1 Block 2 Block 3 Block 4 Block 5 Prologue 1-2 Narrative 3-4 Discourse 5-7 Narrative 8-9 Discourse 10 Narrative 11-12 Discourse 13-17 Narrative 14-17 Discourse 18 Narrative 19-22(3) Discourse 24-25 Epilogue 26-28 Down from the mountain To the cities To His Hometown To Judea ormula: And it happened when Jesus had finished saying (all) these things/ parables (Καὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς (πάντας) τοὺς λόγους τούτους, Semitic wording! (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1 [ all ]) ormula: from that time on, Jesus ἀπὸ τότε ἤρξατο ὁ Ἰησοῦς, 4:17, 16:21 Significant breaks: 11:1 When Jesus had finished ; 21:1 When they had come near Jerusalem
ive blocks Similar to the five books of Torah (B.W. Bacon, 1918, 1930) oundations for the People of God Like books of Torah, each block (book) concludes with speeches Prologue 1-2 Childhood 893 words 3-4 Beginnings narrative Book I Discipleship 5-7 Teaching for the present 2755 words Mountain 1961 words Book II Apostleship 8-9:35 Authority narrative 10 Teaching on Church & Mission 724 words 1995 words 11:2-12 Israel stumbled Book III Hidden Revelation 2475 words 13 Teaching on Parables Sea 970 words Book IV Church Administration 14-17:22 Jesus and brotherhood 18 Teaching on Church Life 667 words 2856 words 19-22(3) Jesus in Judea Book V Judgment 4827 words 23 24-25 Teaching for the future Mountain 1578 words Epilogue 26-28 Passion and Resurrection 2575 words ormula: And it happened when Jesus had finished saying (all) these things/ parables (Καὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς (πάντας) τοὺς λόγους τούτους, Semitic wording! (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1 [ all ]) B.W. BACON, The ive Books of Matthew Against the Jews, The Expositor VIII, 85 (1918) 56-66; ID, Studies in Matthew (New York 1930). Largely followed by R.E. BROWN, An Introduction to the New Testament (The Anchor Bible Reference Library; New York 1997) 172.
ive blocks Similar to the five books of Torah Torah (B.W. Bacon, 1918, 1930) ivefold presentation of Kingdom (C.R. Smith, 1997) Introduction Genealogy (1,1-17) The foundations of the kingdom irst Narrative irst Discourse (1,18 4,25) (5,1 7,29) The mission of the kingdom Second Narrative Second Discourse (8,1 9,38) (10,1-42) The mystery of the kingdom Third Narrative Third Discourse (11,1 13,9) (13,10-53) The family of the kingdom ourth Narrative ourth Discourse (13,54 17,27) (18,1-35) The destiny of the kingdom ifth Narrative ifth Discourse (19,1 23,39) (24,1 25,46) Conclusion Passion Narrative (26,1 28,20) C.R. SMITH, Literary Evidence of a ivefold Structure in the Gospel of Matthew, NTS 43 (1997) 540-551
ive blocks Similar to the five books of Torah Torah (B.W. Bacon, 1918, 1930) ivefold presentation of Kingdom (C.R. Smith, 1997) Chiastic (concentric) arrangement, alt 1 Six narrative sections and five discourses concentrically ordered (C.H. Lohr, 1961) The formula leaves open where a discourse begins (Ex. Matt 23 25 instead of 24 25 = one discourse) The Parable Discourse is the center of the entire book A 1 4 Narrative 1: Birth and beginnings B 5 7 Sermon I: Blessings, entering the kingdom C 8 9 Narrative 2: Authority and invitation D 10 Sermon II: Mission Discourse E 11 12 Narrative 3: Rejection by this generation 13 Sermon III: Parables of the kingdom E 14 17 Narrative 4: Acknowledgment by disciples D 18 Sermon IV: Community Discourse C 19 22 Narrative 5: Authority and invitation B 23 25 Sermon V: Woes, Coming of the kingdom A 26 28 Narrative 6: Death and rebirth C.H. LOHR, Oral Techniques in the Gospel of Matthew, CBQ 23 (1961)
ive Blocks Three acts Criticism of the fivefold structure (JD Kingsbury, 1973, 1975) Precise demarcations between narrative and discourse can be difficult. The clearest example is Matt 23 (sometimes classified as Discourse sometimes as Narrative) Often Narrative and Discourse cannot be clearly detached from each other. The discourses are embedded in the narrative design. See ch 11 only consists of words spoken by Jesus; 2,25-45 contains a monologue by Jesus, that is only interrupted in 2,38-39a by a remark from his listeners; chs 19 22 (narrative!) contains many sayings of Jesus; Parts labeled Discourse contain narrative sentences (13,10.36; 18,21-22) The five stereotypical formula following Jesus five discourses has a linking rather than a divisioning function. Support for Three Acts Story 4:17 and 16:21 ἀπὸ τότε ἤρξατο ὁ Ἰησοῦς followed by an infinitive and a caption (brief content summary of Jesus words) Caption is recapitulated in summaries (4,23-25; 9,35; 11,1b) The turning point of the narrative is the confession of Peter (16:16) Mat 4:17 Mat 16:21 ormula rom that time on, Jesus Infinitive began to proclaim (κηρύσσειν καὶ λέγειν) Caption "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." ormula rom that time on, Jesus Infinitive began to show (δεικνύειν ) his disciples Caption that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.
ive Blocks Three Story Acts 1:1-4:16 4:17-16:20 16:21-28:20 Presentation of Jesus Explicit interest in Jesus identity ulfillment statements The Ministry of Jesus to Israel and Israel s Repudiation of Jesus 4,17 11,1 The Ministry of Jesus to Israel 11,2 16,20 Israel s Repudiation of Jesus The caption is recapitulated in summaries (4,23-25; 9,35; 11,1b) The Journey of Jesus to Jerusalem and His Suffering, Death, and Resurrection 16,21 25,46 The Journey of Jesus to Jerusalem and His Activity in the Temple 26,1 28,20 The Betrayal, Condemnation, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus The caption containing the first prediction of Jesus suffering, death, and resurrection, is repeated in 17,22-23 and 20,17-19 from that time on, Jesus ἀπὸ τότε ἤρξατο ὁ Ἰησοῦς J.D. KINGSBURY, The Structure of Matthew s Gospel and His Concept of Salvation-History, CBQ 35 (1973) 451-474; Matthew. Structure, Christology, Kingdom (London Philadelphia 1975), 1-39; J.D. KINGSBURY, Matthew as Story (Philadelphia 2 1988) 40-93 (cf. E. KRENTZ, The Extent of Matthew s Prologue. Toward the Structure of the irst Gospel, JBL 83 (1964) 409-414; )
ive Blocks Three Story Acts Combinations Chiastic (concentric) arrangement, alt 2 (H.J.B. Combrink, 1983) Narrative and discourse are sometimes combined (Both types of formulae are taken into consideration. Bacon (five blocks) and Kingsbury (three story acts) combined A Narrative: the birth and preparation of Jesus (1:1 4:17) B Introductory material, irst Discourse: Jesus teaches with authority (4:18 7:29) C Narrative: Jesus acts with authority ten miracles (8:1 9:35) D. Second Discourse: the Twelve commissioned with authority (9:36 11:1) E Narrative: the invitation of Jesus rejected by this generation (11:2 12:50) Third Discourse: the parables of the kingdom (13:1-53) E Narrative: Jesus opposed and confessed, acts in compassion to Jews and Gentiles (13:54 16:20) D ourth Discourse within Narrative: The impending passion of Jesus, lack of understanding of the disciples (16:21 20:34) C Narrative: Jesus authority questioned in Jerusalem (21:1-22:46) B ifth Discourse: judgment on Israel and false prophets, the coming of the kingdom (23:1-25:46) A Narrative: the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus (26:1 28:20) H.J.B. COMBRINK, The Macrostructure of the Gospel of Matthew, Neotestamentica 16 (1982) 6-10 4:17 16:21 7:28 11:1 13:53 19:1 26:1
ive Blocks Three Story Acts Combinations Adams E 2011 1:1-4:16 4:17-11:1 11:2-16:20 16:21-20:34 21:1-28:20 Birth, Infancy, Prep. for Ministry Ministry of Teaching Preaching & Healing Expanding Ministry, Growing opposition rom Galilee to Judea Jerusalem, Passion, and Resurrection Discourse D 1 5-7 D 2 10 D 3 13 D 4 18 D 5 24-25 ormulae 4:17 7:28 11:1 13:53 16:21 19:1 21:1 26:1 Summary ive discourses each of which is concluded with a stereotypical formula (Καὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς (πάντας) τοὺς λόγους τούτους (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1 [ all ]) The formula is usually followed by a shift of geography. Each discourse is preceded by an introductory narrative section that always forms a whole with the following discourse. Similarly, each book of the Torah concludes with speeches Two story acts 4:17 and 16:21. Both verses open with ἀπὸ τότε ἤρξατο ὁ Ἰησοῦς followed by an infinitive and a caption (brief content summary of Jesus words) ive part narrative taking other important breaks (21.1) into consideration
II. Matthew s Use of the OT Jesus fulfills Scripture s messianic expectations ourteen instances of formula quotations one of the most distinctive features of this Gospel 1:22 23a; 2:5b 6; 2:15b; 2:17 18; 2:23b; 3:3; 4:14 16; 8:17; 12:17 21; 13:14 15; 13:35; 21:4 5; 26:56 [see 26:54]; 27:9 10 Twice the formula occurs on the lips of Jesus himself 13:14 15; 26:54 56: Matthew aligns his own interpretive practice with that of Jesus. Reading the Jesus story as the fulfillment of the OT is drawn from Mark and traced back to Jesus. Matthew interprets Mark s Scripture quotations Mt edits Mk s opening Scripture citation to make its attribution to the prophet Isaiah correct (Matt 3:3; cf. Mark 1:2 3). Matt 21:42 re-interprets stone rejected by the builders that became the cornerstone in Mark 12:10 11. (cf Luke 20:17 18) Concerning Scripture Promises Scripture promises that anticipate fulfillment at some later date Ex. Isaiah s prediction of Emmanuel s birth (Isa 7:14; Matt 1:22 23; similarly Matt 2:6 quoting Mic 5:2 and 2 Sam 5:2). An event in the Jesus story that alludes to or fulfills Scripture promises Ex. Herod s slaughter of the infants (Matt 2:16 18) prompts Matthew to think of the weeping mother Rachel in Jer 31:15.
II. Matthew s Use of the OT Jesus fulfills Scripture s messianic expectations ourteen instances of formula quotations Matthew interprets Mark s Scripture quotations Concerning Scripture Promises Example: Jesus entry into Jerusalem on two donkeys Mk 11 Matt 21 When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.' 4 They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5 some of the bystanders said to them, "What are you doing, untying the colt?" 6 They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9 Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, just say this, 'The Lord needs them.' And he will send them immediately. " 4 This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, 5 "Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey." 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7 they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
II. Matthew s Use of the OT Jesus fulfills Scripture s messianic expectations ourteen instances of formula quotations Matthew interprets Mark s Scripture quotations Concerning Scripture Promises Example: Jesus entry into Jerusalem Mark s account: straightforward and detailed (Mark 11:1 10) But only one OT reference at the end (Ps 118:26). Matthew s account: less detailed, but deeper significance (Matt 21:5) the event signifies the arrival of the messianic king, an interpretation and Zech 9:9: Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey (cf Isa 62:11). the rhetorical device of parallelism in the quote a colt, the foal of a donkey, a poetic kind of repetition is taken literally: two animals are assumed and the story is made to fit the quote. Matthew s omits triumphant and victorious from Zech 9:9 and his retention of humble to emphasize the nonpolitical nature of Jesus messianic character and keeping with his emphasis elsewhere on Jesus role as the Suffering Servant of Isaiah (Matt 12:18 21; cf. Isa 42:1 4).