Plan of St Matthew's Gospel

GOSPEL OF MATTHEW SERIES.

Gospel of Matthew Series Icon.

Welcome back to my Gospel of Matthew Series. During 2020, each week, I will write a post about the Gospel of Matthew as I review and explore each of the 28 chapters and how it may be applied in our daily lives. My goal is to understand and pray the Gospel of Matthew.  I hope you will join me on this journey as we travel through the liturgical season of Year A.

PLAN OF ST MATTHEW’S GOSPEL

In understanding Matthew’s Gospel, it is interesting to note that it not only has 28 chapters but it falls naturally into 7 parts. Added to that the structure of chapter 3-28 is precise: five sections, each containing a narrative section and a discourse. 

Each of the discourses has a brief introduction and each is closed by a stereotypical formula ‘And when it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings’. These 5 central parts of the Gospel are not disconnected units, but rather are closely linked.

The narratives indicate therefore the progression of events whilst the discourses illustrate a parallel progress in the messianic concept of the kingdom of Heaven.

THE PLAN/STRUCTURE

1.    Part 1: Prologue: Infancy Narrative (Chapter 1-2).

2.    Part 2: Proclamation of the Kingdom (Chapter 3-7).

            The Mission begins (Chapter 3-4).

            Sermon on the Mount (Chapter 5-7).

3.    Part 3: Mission in Galilee (8:1-11:1)

                       Miracles Stories (8-9)

                       Mission Sermon (10:1-11:1).

4.    Part 4: Opposition from Israel (11:2-13:53)

          Opposition and Response (11:2-12:50).

          Sermon in Parables (13:1-53).

5.    Part 5: The Kingdom develops (13:54-18:35)

             Formation of Disciples (14-17).

            Sermon on the Church (18).

6.    Part 6:  Towards the Passion (19-25)

                        Mounting Opposition (19-23).

                        Judgement Sermon (24-25).

7.    Part 7:   Climax: Passion, Death and Resurrection (26-28).

In understanding this structure of the Gospel, it can give us insight in how the Gospel develops. We can also compare it to the other synoptic Gospels of Mark and Luke and notice also the difference or extra detail that Matthew shares.  It is important to remember that the Gospel writers were inspired by the Holy Spirit and were also addressing different audiences.

Next week, we will continue to look at the structure a little deeper and discuss the structure of the discourses.