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Matthew.
A | 1: 1-3: 16. From Birth to Baptism.
The ministry of John the Baptist.
"Born King of the Jews."
B | 3: 17 - 16: 18. SON of DAVID the King.
a | 3: 17. The Voice from Heaven.
b | 4: 1-16. The Threefold temptation of the King.
c | 4: 17. Time. "From that time . . . began."
d | 16: 16-18. Confession "The Christ" su eipas "Thou hast said".
In this section comes the Sermon on the Mount, giving rules for guidance during
the rejection of the King. In this section also come the Parables of Matt. 13:
showing the character of the kingdom, its mystery phase, during rejection.
B | 16: 21 - 26: 64. SON of ABRAHAM the Priest.
c | 16: 21. Time. "From that time . . . began."
a | 17: 5. The Voice from heaven.
b | 26: 36-44. The Threefold agony of the King-Priest.
d | 26: 63, 64. Confession "The Christ" su eipas "Thou hast said".
In this section the parables are largely connected with service during the absence
of the Lord. The Sermon on the Mount changes to Prophecy on the Mount and
speaks of the end of the "mystery" phase of the kingdom, by which personal presence
of the King in glory.
A | 27:, 28: From Baptism of suffering to birth in Resurrection.
Ministry of those who are to baptize all nations.
"This is Jesus the King of the Jews."
This structural outline put forward, not as in any sense exhaustive, but suggestive. To
produce a complete structural outline of a book containing twenty-eight closely packed
chapters as those of the Gospel according to Matthew, is beyond our range in these
articles. Such however could be built up by the student working methodically within the
bounds now presented.
The two time periods, chapters 4: 17 and 16: 21, are decisive factors in the
division of the Gospel. The two "voices" and "confessions" supplement, and the
threefold temptation of chapter four finds its complement in the threefold agony of
chapter twenty-six, and in both the tempted Saviour emerges triumphant. When we
come to compare the Gospels, we shall then be able to throw into relief those distinctive
teachings that will demonstrate without peradventure the key note of each Gospel,
although as the reader will remember we have tentatively put forward the well-known
headings--Matthew, the King; Mark, the Servant; Luke, the Man; John, God.