The Book of Mathew Analysis Paper Example

The entire Mathew 17 took place in 33AD during the Roman Empire. The chapter focuses on Jesus during his final year of the ministry and is nearing to be taken to the cross. Jesus had been traversing the Galilean city teaching and preaching the word of God. As he was teaching, many people come to him, and he performed miracles and feed the hungry. He also challenged the local leaders on claiming that they were preaching the gospel but instead was preaching their works. He points out that he knew their intention of planning to put him to death because he was becoming a disruption to their ministries. In chapters 11 Jesus attacked the city of Chorazin an area known for its large-scale wheat production but overlooked Bethsaida Galilee and disregards it teaching. He also condemns the action of Capernaum for being stubborn in receiving the word of God. The paper records the event of the transfiguration found in Mathew 17.1-9, Mark 9:2-10 and Luke 9:28.

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The Chapter Literal Context

The book of Mathew 16 starts the study by focusing on Pharisee and Sadducees trying to test Jesus by asking him to show them a sign that proves his identity as a son of God as he claims. Mathew 16: 1 directly provides a correlation with the transfiguration to be experienced in the next chapter. In the Chapter, Jesus picks his disciples on the mountain and performs a miracle just before their eyes. A voice from heaven is hard. This is my son with whom I am pleased to listen to him. Mathew 17:5. Jesus pointed out that the reason why he could not perform a miracle to the Pharisee is that only the evil and adulterous generation would seek a miracle or prove that indeed he is the son of God. This is also pointed out that those who are non-believer would seek a miracle to be convinced that Jesus is the son of God (Strauss). It is very interesting to note that the respond given to the religious leader has a lot of symbolic language about the sky, for instance when he says the sky is red and very soon will be stormy.

In chapter 17:2 when Jesus, Moses, and Elijah are presented, Mathew finds a different way of describing this event but uses a different language. Mathew uses bright language and a voice from the cloud. Both the signs in the chapter are tied as evident in verse 5. Chapter 12 of Mathew 16 show how Jesus warns the disciples of being aware of the Pharisees and the Sadducee, but they did not understand what he was talking about. In chapter 17:10-12 the follower did not understand when Jesus talked about Elijah. They also did not get it clear when Jesus was teaching them using the parables, but Jesus uses a pattern to help them understand the three verses. Jesus even asked them who they think he was and Peter immediately responded by stating that he is the son of the living God. Hearing the response, he was very pleased, and he blessed Peter and put him the rock where his church will build on.

This point is very crucial to Peter. This is because, after this, Peter was invited to the transfiguration and the presence of God. He had to confess the identity of Jesus as Lord before he gets to experience the heavenly realms (Ronning). After revealing Jesus identity, Jesus strictly warns the disciples not to tell anyone what they knew. This is similar to chapter 17:9 where Jesus command his followers of being silence about his identity till his resurrection.

The Form Context

In broad term, Mathews description of the transfiguration event is considered as historical narrative. It reports what happens to three disciples and Jesus just before his death. The characteristics of this form are available immediately at the begging of verse 1. The setting, the context and the time of the happening are given. Some of the lines are available, but no one of them did provide a monolog. Additionally, the report presents three persons pointing their different views on a common trait of the same genre (Macy, Joanna, and Chris Johnstone). These continue in verse 13 Containing natural story, the arc, and the plot. Rising actions and begins in verse 2 and throughout the first part of verse 5 and climax at verse 6, 7 and 8 giving a resolution in verse 9-13. Finally, the native reports use a descriptive language to show the audience what happened in the story. It tries to paint a clear picture of the events and different teaching.

Structural Analysis

The account presented by Mathew can be separated into three distinct parts. The first is in verse 1-8 which contain the events that occurred at the mountain. The focus in this part is to show Jesus being transformed right in the eyes of his disciples and their reaction. The second part is found in verse 9-13. Which retells the discourse between Jesus and the disciples going to the mountain. He instructs them to keep the moment very secret as well as telling them about John the Baptist. Looking at the two parts, the first part focuses on the plot arc and contains feeling actions and response. It is presented as if the events were a natural occurrence.

Works Cited

Macy, Joanna, and Chris Johnstone. Active hope: How to face the mess we're in without going crazy. New World Library, 2012.

Ronning, John L. The Jewish Targums and John's Logos Theology. Hendrickson Publishers, 2010.

Strauss, David Friedrich. The life of Jesus, critically examined. Cosimo, Inc., 2010.