Literary
Outline
The Gospel according
to Matthew1
Book One: The Son begins to proclaim
the Kingdom Matt. 3:1-7:29
Narrative: Beginnings of the ministry
Matt. 3:1-4:25
Discourse: The Sermon on the Mount
Matt. 5:1-7:29
Book Two: The mission of Jesus and his
disciples in Galilee Matt. 8:1-11:1
Narrative: The cycle of nine miracle
stories Matt. 8:1-9:38
Discourse: The mission, past and
future Matt.10:1-11:1
Book Three: Jesus meets opposition from
Israel Matt.11:2-13:53
Narrative: Jesus disputes with
Israel and condemns it Matt. 11:2-12:50
Discourse: Jesus withdraws from
Israel into parabolic speech Matt.13:1-53
Book Four: The Messiah forms his church
and prophesises his passion Matt. 13:54-18:35
Narrative: The itinerant Jesus
prepares for the church by his deeds Matt. 13:54-17:27
Discourse: Church life and order
Matt. 18:1-35
Book Five: The Messiah and his church
on the way to the passion Matt. 19:1-25:46
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1Adapted from John P. Meier, Matthew,
vol. 3 in New Testament Message (Wilmington, Delaware: Michael Glazier,
Inc., 1980). One important clue suggesting this structure is the repeated
phrase "When Jesus finished these sayings,..." in 7:28, 11:1, 13:53, 19:1
and 26:1.