Further thoughts on the structures of Matthew 27, focusing on verses 45-66.
Verses 45-54 can be seen either as a panel structure or as two chiasms. In the panel structure, each panel begins with Jesus crying out in a loud voice:
A. Jesus’ “cry of dereliction,” v 46
B. Reaction of hearers, v 47-49
A’. Jesus cries “again with a loud voice” and dies, v 50
B’. Reaction of earth and soldiers, vv 51-54
Alternatively, this section can be seen as two small chiasms:
A. Jesus cries out, v 46
B. He calls for Elijah, v 47
C. Someone gets a sponge soaked in wine, v 48
B’. Let’s see if Elijah comes, v 49
A’. Jesus cries out again, v 50
The second chiasm, somewhat less obvious, goes from verse 51 to 54:
A. Veil of temple torn, v 51a
B. Earthquake, rocks split, v 51b
C. Tombs open, many bodies raised, v 52
D. Saints enter Jerusalem after resurrection, v 53a
C’. Appear to “many,” v 53b
B’. Soldiers see earthquake and other happenings, v 54a
A’. Confession, v 54b
Verses 55-61 are organized with a fairly obvious chiasm:
A. Women watching from a distance, vv 55-56
B. Joseph of Arimathea asks for body of Jesus, vv 57-58a
C. Pilate gives body to Joseph, v 58b
B’. Joseph prepares body and places it in tomb, vv 59-60
A’. Women sit opposite the grave, v 61
The final verses of chapter 27 might also be seen as a simple chiasm:
A. Priests and Pharisees gather to Pilate, v 62
B. Request for a guard, v 63a
C. Last deception worse than the first, v 63b
B’. Pilate grants guard, v 65
A’. Priests and Pharisees go away to secure grave, v 66
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