Structural features of Matthew 27

A few structural features of the crucifixion narrative in Matthew 27.

First, there are a couple of fairly clear small chiasms.  The scene of mockery in the Praetorium is a neat chiasm:

A. Soldiers gather and strip Jesus, vv 27-28a

B. Robe on Jesus, v 28b

C. Crown of thorns on Jesus’ head, v 29a

D. Reed in hand, v 29b

E. Soldiers kneel, v 29c

F. “Hail, King of the Jews,” v. 29d

E’. Soldiers spit, v. 30a

D’. Reed, v 30b

C’. Beat Jesus’ head, v 30c

B’. Strip robe, v 31a

A’. Replace Jesus’ garments, v 31b

The A-B sequences could be seen not as chiastic but as parallel: The scene begins with a stripping and an investiture, and it ends with a stripping and an investiture.

Verses 38-44 also form a fairly neat chiasm:

A. Robbers on Jesus’ right and left, v. 38

B. Passers-by mock Jesus, vv 39-40

1. Passers by

2. Destroy temple

3. If you are Son, come down

B’. Chief priests and elders mock, vv 41-43

1. Chief priests and elders

2. He saved others, cannot save Himself

3. He said He is Son of God

A’. Robbers insult Jesus, v 44

Overlapping and overarching these chiasms is a roughly parallel pattern:

A. Jesus offered drink, v 34

B. “You who destroy the temple,” v 40

C. “If you are son of God,” vv 40, 43

D. Robbers insult him, v. 44

A’. Jesus drinks, v 48

B’. Temple veil torn, v 51

C. “Truly this was the Son of God,” v 54

D’. Women minister to Him, vv 55-56