Wim J.C. Weren, «The Macrostructure of Matthew’s Gospel: A New Proposal» biblica, Vol. 87 (2006) 171-200 page 182

Vol 87 (2006)

Wim J.C. Weren, «The Macrostructure of Matthew’s Gospel: A New Proposal», Vol. 87 (2006) 171-200

The weakness of the proposals concerning the macrostructure of Matthew’s Gospel made by Bacon and Kingsbury is that they depart from rigid caesuras, whilst a typical characteristic of the composition of this Gospel is the relatively smooth flow of the story. On the basis of the discovery that the various topographical data are clustered together by means of three refrains we can distinguish three patterns in the travels undertaken by Jesus. This rather coarse structure is further refined with the use of Matera’s and Carter’s distinction between kernels and satellites. Kernels are better labelled as “hinge texts”. The following pericopes belong to this category: 4,12-17; 11,2-30; 16,13-28; 21,1-17; 26,1-16. Each of them marks a turning point in the plot and has a double function: a hinge text is not only fleshed out in the subsequent pericopes but also refers to the preceding block. It is especially these “hinge texts” that underline the continuity of Matthew’s narrative and should prevent us from focussing too much on alleged caesuras.

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182 Wim J.C. Weren decisive choices. In Jerusalem, Jesus debates with various adversaries for a whole day in the temple (see 21,18: â€œin the morningâ€; 22,23: â€œthe same dayâ€; 22,46: â€œfrom that dayâ€). Not until the passion narrative is the passage of time described with great precision (22). For the rest, the indications of time offer little to hold on to in the determination of the temporal organisation of the story. The concrete temporal details merely have a function within the pericope in which they are to be found (23), or they make a connection with the previous passage (24). As a rule, tovte, that appears 90 times, has a binding function. An exception to this are the cases of ajpo; tovte (4,17; 16,21; 26,16); this temporal notion marks a new phase in the work of Jesus. In 4,17 ajpo; tovte marks the beginning of the period in which Jesus proclaims the coming of the kingdom of heaven. As has already been mentioned, this period of time starts as soon as he goes to live in Capernaum and not just after, and continues right up till his suffering and death. Whilst Jesus continues to preach the gospel of the kingdom, he also begins, in 16,13-28, to speak with his disciples about his pending death and resurrection. This marks the beginning of a subperiod that covers his stay near Caesarea Philippi up till two days before Easter (26,16). In 26,17, a new subperiod begins (marked by apo; tovte in 26,16), when he is indeed handed over to his adversaries. j From this analysis of the temporal information in Matthew, I have come to the following conclusions. There is an interval of time between 2,23 and 3,1 and also between 4,11 and 4,12. Jesus begins his ministry in 4,12-17. The summaries in 4,23 and 9,35 indicate that Jesus is acting as a teacher and healer for a long period of time in Galilee. In 11,2-24, a review is to be found of the ministry of John and Jesus. A new and crucial phase starts in 11,25. In 16,13-28, Jesus, at that time in the region of Caesarea Philippi, begins to speak of his suffering, death, and resurrection. The events announced come to a head in the passion narrative. This scenario, predicted time and again, begins with Judas looking for the most appropriate time to deliver Jesus up. b) Topographical information Most of the topographical details in Matthew are connected to Jesus. Although he lives in Nazareth (2,22) and Capernaum (4,13), (22) See: 26,2.17.20.31.34.55; 27,1.19.45-46.53.57.62.63.64; 28,1. (23) See 8,13; 12,1; 14,15.23.25; 15,28.32. (24) See 13,1; 17,1; 18,1.