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The Mystery of the Middle of Jesus' Mighty Deeds (Matthew 8–9)

At the geographic and literary center of Matthew's ten mighty deeds lies a confrontation with demons that unveils the true purpose of Christ's mission.

The Secret of the Middle of Matthew

Matthew places chapter 13 and its quotation of Psalm 78 at the chiastic center of his Gospel to reveal Christ as the suffering and exalted Davidic psalmist.

Why Are Judas and Judah So Similar?

Judas shares both his name and plot arc with the patriarch Judah, revealing how the Gospel portrays him as a tragic, counterfeit parody of true repentance.

Why The Priests Buy a Field with Judas' Money

Why talk about the chief priests buying a field with money from betraying Jesus?

Foreign Language in Matthew

Matthew, Micah, and Bethlehem

Matthew has opened his story with a genealogy locating Jesus in the family of Abraham and King David.

The Misunderstood “Immanuel” in Matthew

This week, we're talking about that great quotation from Isaiah 7:14.

Why Matthew Counts 14 Generations

Genealogies might look boring. But every profession trades in particularities.

The Art of Strange Righteousness | Matthew 1:18-21

Matthew begins his gospel with an expansive and exhaustive genealogy.

The Real Meaning of “Immanuel”

In Matthew's Gospel, after the Angel visits Joseph and tells him to marry Mary…

The Riddle of Samson and Jesus

“Now the birth of Jesus took place in this way.”

Why Matthew Changes Names in Matthew 1

Some of the people in Matthew's genealogy we know about; we've read about them before in the grand story.

The New Temple of Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh

We all know the story. Jesus is born and wise men come and bring three gifts to Jesus.

The Hidden Virtue of Women in Matthew 1

Matthew breaks the pattern of his opening genealogy by including four unexpected women whose scandalous reputations veil extraordinary acts of virtue.

The Literary Art of Numbers | Matthew 1

Genealogies might look boring. But every profession trades in particularities.

The Subtlety of The Son of David and Abraham | Matthew 1:1

In Jesus' family tree, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of names missing.

The Literary Structure of Matthew's Gospel

Matthew organizes his book into alternating sections of stories and teachings.

Matthew 1:1 - Jesus' Subtle Identity

The first sentence in Matthew's Gospel is this: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ.”

Genealogies Aren't Boring, You're Boring | Matthew 1:1

By the time we get to Matthew's Gospel, we're in the fifth act of a five act play.

Why Does Matthew Give Us Another Language and Then Translate It?

Why does Matthew provide the original words of Jesus in Aramaic?

Abraham and the Astrologers

In Matthew 2 the astrologers see the star that leads them to Christ.

Against Scholarship; Or, The Case For Lay Hermeneutics

Rikk Watts points out that we have no intertestamental literature that connects the “Son of David” to healing.

Chronicles and Matthew

One of my interests right now is canonical ordering.

Matthew 4 and Deuteronomy

In Matthew's Gospel Jesus recapitulates Israel's story.