Gospels are selective compilations of units, "pericopes", structured broadly chronologically and thematically

 

Recognize relationship between didactic and narrative sections

 

Recognize authorial devices that delineate pericopes

 

Recognize event repetition

Recognize language/concept repetition

Unique person and purpose of Christ

Messianic designations for Jesus: "Son of David", "Son of Man", etc.

Parabolic actions establishing his authority

Authoritative teaching

 

Fulfillment

Use of Old Testament passages

Prophetic hermeneutic of history

Fullness of Israel’s history in messiah

Day of the Lord

Direct messianic fulfillment

Principlizing an OT text

OT language as vehicle of expression

 

Kingdom

Fulfillment without consummation: the presence of the future

Matthew 11 and John the Baptist

Discipleship

 

Context: why is this passage here?

Carefully examine pericopes preceding and following the passage—how does this unit fit within the broader argument of the book?

To whom is the action, teaching, or dialogue directed—who is the initial audience?

Getting to the point:

1. Didactic

"Fulfillment" language or OT clarification (Matt. 5:17; Luke 24:44)

E.g.: Matt. 5:27; 5:31

E.g.: Matt. 13:14

Repeated words/concepts in broader context given special emphasis in a particular passage

E.g.: Matt. 13 the kingdom parables

E.g.: Matt. 23 the prophetic "woes" against the Pharisees

E.g.: Luke 15 the lost sheep, lost coin, lost son

Summary or introduction statement, and narrative context

E.g.: Matt. 5—7 Sermon on the Mount is introduced by the summary given in 4:23—25, first mention of the "multitudes" following Jesus. Note too that a summary is provided in 7:28—8:1.

E.g.: Matt. 10:5—42 teaching on discipleship is framed by the commissioning of the 12 (see 10:5; 11:1)

"Punch lines" are important to notice

E.g.: Matt. 23:24

E.g.: Matt. 6:24

Connective language

E.g.: Matt. 7:24—27

E.g.: Matt. 5:43—48

A particularly important formulation for Jesus is "truly I say", or "I say to you"… These are very often introductory formula to the main point.

2. Narrative

"Fulfillment" language or OT citation

 

E.g.: Matt. 8:17 (see also 1:23; 2:6…)

Summary, introduction statements, repeated words in narrative context

 

E.g.: Matt. 8:27 sometimes the summary or conclusion is put in a character’s mouth

E.g.: Matt. 9:6 how often is "authority" used? (7:29; 9:6; 9:8) and related concepts are also present (calming the sea; calling disciples; pronouncing judgment; healing, etc.)

E.g.: Matt. 12:23 main point is introduced by murmerings of the crowd

Pithy "one liners"

E.g.: Matt. 8:22

E.g.: Matt. 9:12, 13—use of parallelism

Supporting the main point: How is the main point supported, illustrated, applied?

1. Didactic

"Fulfillment" language or OT citation

 

E.g.: Matt. 13:32

E.g.: Matt. 10:35

Connective language

 

E.g.: Matt. 7:7,8

E.g.: Matt. 5:3—10

Narrative context

 

E.g.: Matt. 13—parables are spoken in the context of mounting opposition against Jesus’ teaching (12:1—50)

Same point applies to all other didactic passages

2. Narrative

Didactic or narrative context

 

E.g.: Matt. 1—4. Each pericope reinforces the others: Jesus qualifies to be "Son of David", a term used prominently by Matthew

E.g.: Matt. 8—9 narratives illustrate the authority of Jesus as a teacher established in 5—7

Illustration and rhetorical device

 

E.g.: Matt. 9:5 Jesus asks a rhetorical question to underscore the main point in the healing pericope

E.g.: The warning parables are essentially illustrations of what it means to understand and be ready for Christ’s kingdom (Matt. 24:32—25:30)

Interplay of characters in the narrative

 

E.g.: who Jesus chooses to talk to, eat with, heal, travel…all are meant to give substance to the main point of these pericopes—this is one of the most crucial aspects of gospels interpretation, and requires some knowledge of cultural background

E.g.: use of characters other than Christ to support the main point in narrative include Matt. 8:27; 9:33;

Key and unfamiliar words

Cultural references:

General knowledge of history and culture are vital to sound interpretation. Interpreters should be familiar with:

Various sects within Judaism

Important institutions in Judaism

General messianic expectation of the 1^st century

Nature of Roman rule

(see Robert Gundry, A Survey of the New Testament; J.D. Douglas, New Bible Dictionary)

Use of the OT

Determine how the OT is being used in the gospel pericope.

Note whether or not fulfillment is being attributed

Note any commentary given within the text

Study the OT passage within its context

Use of non-literal language

 

E.g.: Hyperbole in Sermon on the Mount

Theology: In what way doe the passage advance our understanding of the central theological concerns of the gospels:

Jesus’ person and purpose

 

Kingdom of God and salvation plan

 

Call to discipleship

 

Points of application must be rooted historically in the context of Jesus’ original audience.

In what way does Jesus challenge existing understanding, convictions, and actions?

In what way does Jesus call his hearers to new understanding, convictions, and actions?

Recognizing the principle, truth in the text, how does this truth relate to our understanding, convictions, and actions?

Class exercise: Matthew 9:9—13 The Calling of Matthew (see worksheet)

Assignment: Read Matthew 14—18