I N D E X
8
The Structural outline of Matthew,
exhibiting key words and correspondences.
Having seen that the four Gospels form a unity, though each of them has its own individuality and its subject
matter so chosen that it will develop and illustrate the peculiar purpose set before the writer of each; we shall now
endeavour to set out some of the essential differences and so arrive at a just appreciation of the individual purpose of
each.
First of all we must seek the underlying structure, then the disposition of its subject matter, and learn by the
inclusion or exclusion of certain facts and features what the distinctive message of each record may be. Here
however the reader is caused to halt by reason of the many outlines and structures that men of God have offered.
Bengel in his Gnomon of the New Testament published in A.D. 1742 has set the course for one type of analysis
which has influenced many subsequent writers. It occupies six pages of print, and cannot be reproduced here. Its
main divisions are :
(1) The nativity, and the matters immediately following (1:1 to 2:23).
(2) Our Lord's entrance on His ministry (3:1 to 4:11).
(3) The deeds and words by which Jesus proved Himself to be Christ (4:12 to 16:12).
(4) Our Lord's prediction of His passion and resurrection (16:13 to 20:28).
(5) The events at Jerusalem immediately before the passion (21:1 to 25:46).
(6) The passion and resurrection (26:1 to 28:20).
In recent times, the outlines prepared by Dr. Campbell Morgan are suggestive, and even if the reader is
conscious that the alliteration may sometimes have run away with the theme, these outlines are nevertheless worthy
of attention and respect.  Dr. Campbell Morgan's outline of Matthew is in the main threefold, with many
subdivisions which we cannot here reproduce.
Matthew 1:1 to 4:16. The Person.
(1) Relation to earth 1:1 to 3:12.
(2) Relation to heaven 3:13-17.
(3) Relation to hell 4:1-11.
Matthew 4:17 to 16:20. Propaganda.
(1) Enunciation of law 4:17 to 7:29.
(2) Exhibition of benefits 8:1 to 9:34.
(3) Enforcement of claims 9:35 to 16:20.
Matthew 16:21 to 28:20. Passion.
(1) His Cross and His subjects 16:21 to 20:34.
(2) Rejection of Hebrew nation 21:1 to 23:39.
(3) Prediction 24:1 to 25:46.
(4) Passion 26:1 to 28:20.
The Companion Bible gives the structure in the form of an introversion, and as most of our readers have
access to (if not possession of) this valuable work we will not occupy space by reprinting it here.
While recognising all the labour that has been expended by other believers in the past, let us once more turn to
the gospel of Matthew itself and see what fresh light the Lord may be pleased to give. We observe in the opening
verse that Jesus Christ is set before us as the Son of David and the Son of Abraham, and that the genealogy itself is
artificially subdivided as follows :