Matthew: Organizational and Structural Concepts

• The repeated phrase, "from that time on" (4:17; 16:21), suggests a internal structure. Consider the outline which reflects this structure.
  1:1ff--The identity of Jesus
  4:17ff--Jesus came teaching, preaching, and healing
  16:21ff--Jesus came dying
  
• In the Synoptic Gospels, the three passion predictions of Jesus (16:21, 17:20; and 20:17) provide structure.
• An interesting sermon can be preached, focusing on "the presence of Jesus". In 1:23, Jesus comes as Emmanuel (God with us). In 28:18-20, Jesus promises his continuing presence until the end of the age.
• The identity of Jesus in the early chapters can be preached in the descriptions of chapters 1-2: Savior, Emmanuel, Christ. This section also lends itself to a chronological outline: prebirth, birth, postbirth, baptism, and temptation.
• Matthew makes clear that Jesus' coming into the world is the work of God. This can be seen in the (1)geneaology which is carefully numbered to reflect symmetry, (2) the dreams that provide guidance, and(3) the fulfillment theme that runs through the section.
• Matthew uses alternating discourse and narrative. The discourses appear in chapters 5-7, 10, 13, 18, and 24-25.

MATTHEW: Outline

• Introduction
  Genealogy, 1
  Baptism, 3
  Temptation, 4
  
• Part One
  Matt. 4:17, "from that time on...."
  The coming of the king and the kingdom; Jesus comes teaching, preaching and healing
  Discourse #1: Sermon on Mount, 5-7
  Encounters of encouragement: miracles, 8-9
  Discourse #2: Sending out disciples, 10
  Encounters of confrontation: religious leaders, 11-12
  Discourse #3: Parables, 13
  
• Feeding of 5000
  Faith encounters: Matthew 14/15
  
• Part Two
  Death prediction #1, 16:21 , "from that time on...."
  The fulfillment of the kingdom, the Jesus who comes dying
  Transfiguration, 17
  Death prediction #2, 17:22
  Discourse #4: 18
  Death prediction #3, 20:17
  
• Passion Week
  Triumphal Entry, Palm Sunday, 21
  Discourse #5: Olivet discourse, 24/25 [destruction of Jerusalem/preparation]
  Upper Room, 26
  Gethsemane
  Passion, 26-27
  Resurrection, 28
  

Sermon on the Mount