The
structure of the gospel contains five major sections
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Each
of the sections, in turn, consists of three items:
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Stories of the
life of Jesus
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Samples of the
preaching and teaching of Jesus
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A concluding
phrase, "When Jesus had ended" (7:28; 11:1;
13:53; 19:1, and 26:1).
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Matthew
is full of clues that it was written to convince Jewish readers
that Jesus was the "Messiah."
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Makes no attempt to
translate or explain Jewish words and practices.
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Quotes more frequently
from the Old Testament than does any other gospel.
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Jesus is portrayed as a descended of
the three great figures of the Old Testament but as surpassing
them.
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Abraham |
Jesus
genealogy is traced back to Abraham, the father of the
faithful.
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Moses |
Jesus
appears as the royal teacher whose authority exceeds
that of Moses.
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David |
Jesus
fulfills the hopes of David: like David born in
Bethlehem (Mentioned 5 times in Chapter 2), recognized
as the "son of David" (5 times, 9:27; 12:23;
15:22; 21:9; and 21:15), but He is David’s Lord
(22:41-46).
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Five
Major Sections of Matthew
(Did the author intend to
give the Jewish readers
a new Torah, the five books of the law?")
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(Introduction:
The Story of the Birth of Jesus -- Chapters 1-2)
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Section
One — Chapters 1:1-7:28
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| Chapters
3-4 |
Temptation and
beginning
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| Chapters 5-7 |
Sermon on the Mount (Jesus contrasted the
laws given by Moses with the Kingdom of God, which is
presented in Himself — two recurring phrases,
"You have heard that it was said of old . . . but I
say to you."
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Section
Two — Chapters 8:1-11:1
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| Chapters
8-9 |
Series of
Miracles
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| Chapter
10 |
Teaching to
His disciples concerning missions and suffering
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Section
Three — Chapters 11:2-13:53
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| Chapters
11-12 |
Stories
that emphasizes the differences between the ways of the
kingdom and the ways of the world
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| Chapter
13 |
Parables
on the nature of the kingdom
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Section
Four — Chapters 13:54-19:1
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| Chapters
14-17 |
Miracles,
debates, and conflicts
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| Chapter
18 |
Words
of counsel by Jesus to His disciples about the Christian
life
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Section
Five — Chapters 19:2-26:1
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| Chapters
19-22 |
Clashes
between Jesus and religious leaders
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| Chapter
23 |
Denounces
the scribes and the Pharisees
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| Chapter
24 |
Teaches
about the end of the age
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| Chapter
25 |
Three
parables on Judgment
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(Conclusion:
Betrayal, Arrest, Crucifixion, and Resurrection -- Chapters
26-28)
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Schedule