Chiastic structure and concentric structure and parallel of each pericope. My conclusion comes largely from an analysis of matthews gospel, although other evidence, which will be mentioned later, tends to support this conclusion. Pdf the structure of matthews gospel david g palmer. It is this kingdom that is the dominant theme of matthews gospel. The church has been the primary vehicle through which the gospel of christ is. I imagine it has been suggested before somewhere, but my post here gives a bit of background and follows the structure summary with a slightly more detailed explanation of how each section hangs together. He builds upon this foundation in a series of literary patterns. But matthews literary structure has placed these connections there, and in this way matthew can make the theological point that jesus death is a descent into egypt and his resurrection is a new exodus.
The gospel according to matthew is intricately structured. It enhances the unity of the discourse and focuses attention on the central element as what is most important. Leithart articles on the structure of matthew typically begin with a lament that scholars have reached no consensus concerning the structure of matthew. Pdf between the mount of transfiguration and jerusalem.
Matthews chiastic structure and its dispensational implications 427 has a corresponding element in its parallel unit. Matthews concept of the kingdom of heaven is a complex concept that includes a present. Bryan smith, the central role of judah in genesis 3750, bibliotheca sacra 162 no 646 apriljune 2005. This page also attempts to outline the entire book in chiastic manner. The writeup also shows that there is even a hint of geographical symmetry in the book of matthew. This structure is common in the old testament and in other jewish writings. This structure indicates relationships between hidden alms and rewards of heavenly father and also warning that. In this post, i wish to start to look at the chiastic structure of matthews account of jesus birth in matt. Matt is hinge in the literary structure of the book. In matt jesus begins talking about the mystery form of the kingdom by telling parables. Nagasawa, the chiastic structure of the gospel of matthew. It is through 1 chiasms or chiastic ap proaches are a literary structure used to em hasize and reveal. Paul, mn 55112 jesus is often described in the gospels as a preacher.
He answers that he is revealing the mysteries of the kingdom. Understanding the gospels structure will not prevent readers or commentators making errors of interpretation but misunderstanding the structure certainly will not help. Vladimirs, 1994, point out many smaller chiasms in particular paragraphs in matthews gospel. The book of habakkuk has been discovered to consist of a. From penningtons observations, from my own study, as well as consulting dale allisons book the sermon on the mount. The former is usually referred to as the sermon on the. It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing. Matthew presented this discourse in a chiastic crossing structure. John the divine like the marriage of the bridegroom and the bride, or possibly like two timelines coming together into one, deeper insight into any passage within the. This does not mean that the distinctiveness of the gospel form in, which everything centres on jesus, the vehicle of the kingdom of god, is discounted. Who is matthews intended audience for the sermon on the mount. Literary art in the gospel of matthew chiasmus resources. Some very in depth research in this and a downloadable pdf that is more extensive.
In preparing an essay on matthew 2425 for our subscription essayletter studies in the revelation, i have found it necessary to consider the structure of matthews. The chiastic structure of the gospel of matthew mako a. Several commentators outline matthews gospel around jesus five discourses in the book e. The structure of matthews gospel the scriptorium daily. In summary, ive found a structure of matthews gospel based around ten quotations from isaiah or related to isaiah. If we use matthews three stage progression mtsp, a writing technique that is frequently found in the gospel of matthew, we can explain the intention of matthew 89 more clearly than any other existing explanations. It discusses the significance of each parable as it is heard within the progression of the narrative. As usual, with the way i prefer approaching each section of the bible, identifying the literary structure. A manual on discipleship a twelve week training manual on discipleship based on the book of matthew. A chiastic structure some scholars see a chiastic structure to this verse. Literary structure chiasm, chiasmus of gospel of matthew. Paul gaechter, literary art in the gospel of matthew. Several other scholars have argued for a form of chiastic structure.
This structure highlights the movements of jesus between the mount of transfiguration and. Here is a very interesting chiastic structure involving the entire book of matthew. The structure of matthew 89 is very complex, and there is no unanimous understanding. In his theological commentary on the sermon on the mount, the sermon on the mount and human flourishing, jonathan pennington spends chapter five outlining the structure of matthews gospel and the sermon on the mount, in particular. A fresh approach to the miracle stories in matthew 89. Chiastic structure, or chiastic pattern, is a literary technique in narrative motifs and other textual passages. Whereas the centre of the chiastic structure of matthew 21. Isaiah esaias, embedding isaiahs chiastic structure in his own larger discourse, which is also a chiasm. What is the framework for the structure of the sermon on the mount. A few critics in this century have held the view that the whole gospel is governed by one great chiasm or inverted concentric parallelism. Many scholars see these five units as matthews attempt to portray jesus as the new moses, with each unit being analogous to one of the five books of moses genesis, exodus, leviticus, numbers, deuteronomy a. The kingdom to which all christians belong is the kingdom of jesus christ. Lund north park seminary chiasmus is the name of the particular literary form which will be described here.
The literary structure of matthews gospel the bible is art blog. Literary structure chiasmus, chiasm of gospel of matthew. Rhetoric and composition in matthew augsburg fortress. Much insight can be gained from considering the chiastic structure of matthew as a whole. Matthew opens his book by describing it as the book of the genealogy of jesus christ, the son of david, the son of abraham matt. Home chiastic and other structures the birth of jesus in matt 1. In this article, a chiastic structure in matthew 17. In this chart jesus christ is quoting isaiah esaias, embedding isaiahs chiastic structure in his own larger discourse, which is also a chiasm. Additionally, the author compares and contrasts the three synoptic versions of the transfiguration, in order for the reader to understand how matthews account varies from the others. As usual, with the way i prefer approaching each section of the bible, identifying the literary structure is very important. Gundry argues against a imposing a clear structure on the gospel.
Finding jesus in history matthews genealogy summit. This text includes, one 72 paired 145 pericopes whole concentric structure, divided in two 36 paired concentric structures, divided in three 24 paired concentric. Kregel, 1990, and john breck, in the shape of biblical language st. Philip brown ii, nehemiah and narrative order in the book of ezra, bibliotheca sacra 162 no 646 apriljune 2005. In the light of these various divergent proposals, r. The typological structure of matthews gospel peter j.
Vanderweele, some observations concerning the chiastic structure of the gospel of matthew. Understanding the structure of the gospel and how matthew ordered the various parts to each other and to the whole is important, because unless this structure is correctly understood what matthew is saying is likely to be misunderstood. Beyond poetry, chiastic structure can often be found in other literary forms such as narrative, parable and even, as some suggest, in entire books of the bible like matthews gospel. Stuttgart, 1965, and published, with permission from katholisches bibelwerk, by john w. The result is a mirror effect as the ideas are reflected back in a passage. He then immediately begins the same story in reverse, beginning with abraham, working through david, and ending with the birth of jesus.
Beatitudes meaning and structure in sheep and goats parable of the sheep and goats is a contrasting x chiasm identical to lukes sermon on the plain. Continuing where i left off in this series of matthews gospel, we finally arrive at the center of the book. Matthew tells parable of the wicked tenantstwist in the parable is that the kingdom of heaven will be taken from the jews and given to the gentiles great commission is at the end of matthews gospel matthew says. Chiastic outlines have been proposed,1 and the indications of inclusio are hints. The significance of the chiastic structure of ephesians 1. So matthews whole gospel is structured as a chiasm. Literary structure chiasm, chiasmus of each pericopes of. Matthews use of both types of chiastic structure could suggest that christ delivered two versions of. With this in mind, let us turn to a consideration of the book of matthew. This book presents a comprehensive treatment of all of the parables in the gospel of matthew. David wenham, the structure of matthew xiii, new testament studies25 1979. Inspiring moral imaginations, ive put together a structure in matthews first discoursenarrative block, which conjoins jesuss words ch. Tracing the sources for matthews gospel and grasping the overall literary design of his work have been subjects of great interest to modern biblical scholarship. Rhetoric and composition in matthew structure in the new testament gospels.
Seeing the mountainlike structure of the sermon on the. But sufficient points of contact occur that enable readers to recognize the point being made by that pair. Marks gospel as a whole consists of a parallel structure and then contains a smaller chiastic structure around the last day and the crucifixion. Matthew organizes his book into alternating sections of stories and teachings. Chiastic structure and concentric structure and parallel of each pericope 1the genealogy of jesus the messiah matt 1. A simple outline can capture the basic shape of the book well enough to assist a good reading, but a little more attention shows that. Yet there is also a larger chiasm which encompasses the entire book. A chiasm also called a chiasmus is a literary device in which a sequence of ideas is presented and then repeated in reverse order. Following robert gundrys observation that matthew is a book filled with literary and theological art, pennington alerts the careful. Ethelbert bullinger, in the companion bible london, 1910. The book of revelation chiastic timeline angelfire. Interesting article on chiastic structure in matthew, and especially the center, matthew chapter. Douglas also includes a suggested chiastic outline and describes connections between the transfiguration and the crucifixion. January 16, 2015 the chiastic structure of ephesians 1.