α.   The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (1:1)

     Isaiah’s prophecy of a messenger, a voice crying in the wilderness (1:2‑3)

     β.      John in the wilderness preaches the baptism of repentance (1:4)

     Attracting all Judea to baptism in the Jordan (1:5)

ς. John’s bodily asceticism (1:6)

χ.       ζ. ‘One mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose’ (1:7)

η. He will baptize with the Holy Spirit (1:8)

     Jesus of Nazareth is baptized in the Jordan (1:9)

     ο.      Theophany: the Spirit descending like a dove and the voice of the Father coming from heaven (1:10‑11)

     Immediately driven by the Spirit into the wilderness, tempted of Satan (1:12‑13)

ω.   John in prison; Jesus in Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God (1:14‑15)

α. Simon, Andrew, James, and John called to Capernaum on the Sabbath (1:16‑22)

β. Casting out the unclean spirit who confesses the Holy One of God (1:23‑28)

χ. Healing Simon’s mother-in-law (and many others) before escaping at dawn (1:29‑38)

ο. Throughout all Galilee: healing a leper by touch; unwillingly garnering fame (1:39‑45)

ω. Again in Capernaum, forgiving and healing the paralytic borne of four (2:1‑12)

ς. Dining with Levi the publican, answering questions with new wine (2:13‑22)

ζ. On the sabbath: plucking corn and healing a hand (2:23–3:6)

η. Withdrawing to the sea, attracting a great multitude; demons confess the Son of God (3:7‑12)

Arrival at Jerusalem

α. Entry into Jerusalem, ‘Hosanna in the highest’ (11:1‑11)

β. Cursing of the fig tree (11:12‑14)

ς.             χ. Expulsion of the money changers (11:15‑19)

ο. Discovery of the withered fig tree and discourse on faith (11:20‑26)

ω. ‘By what authority doest thou these things?’ (11:27‑33)

Conversations in Jerusalem

α. Jesus: Parable of the Vineyard (12:1‑12)

β. Herodians: On what is Caesar’s (12:13‑17)

ζ.             χ. Sadducees: On marriage in the resurrection (12:18‑27)

ο. One of the scribes, responding discreetly: On the first commandment of all (12:28‑34)

ω. Jesus: How does David call his Son Lord? (12:35‑37)

Preparation for the End of Things

Beware of the scribes (12:38‑40)

ς.       The widow’s two mites (12:41‑44)

Not one stone of these great buildings to be left upon another (13:1‑2)

η. 

Apocalypse sermon on the Mount of Olives, part I: The Tribulation

Beware of deceivers; there’ll be wars and rumors of wars (13:3‑8)

ζ.        You shall be delivered up; endure unto the end to be saved (13:9‑13)

When you see the abomination of desolation, flee to the mountains (13:14‑23)

Apocalypse sermon on the Mount of Olives, part II: The Second Coming

After the tribulation, the Son of man will come with glory (13:24‑27)

η.       Like with a fig tree, you’ll know when, but not the day and hour (13:28‑32)

Watch and pray; you know not when the master comes (13:33‑37)

(A ksiasmus within a ksiasmus, which also functions as a chiasmus.)

prologue: Anointed for burial in the house of Simon the Leper, surrounded by scheming men (14:1‑11)

α. 

α. Preparation for the Passover (14:12‑16)

β. Mystical Supper, with one of the twelve that dippeth in the dish (14:17‑26)

β.

α. On the Mount of Olives, Jesus predicts disciples’ offense and Peter’s denial (14:27‑31)

β. Agony in Gethsemane (14:32‑42)

Judas’ betrayal at the time of the arrest (14:43‑52)

  ξ.                        χ.  ξ.      Christ is tried before the high priest (14:53‑65)

Peter’s denial (14:66‑72)

ο.

ο. The chief priests bring Jesus to Pilate (15:1‑5)

ω. Christ sentenced to crucifixion while Barabbas is released (15:6‑15)

ω. 

ο. Torture and mockery (15:16‑20)

ω. Crucifixion and death (15:21‑39)                                                                                           See CLOSE-UP

epilogue: Buried in a sepulchre, surrounded by faithful women (15:40‑47)

After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: 

α.        and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. (14:1)

But they said, ‘Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.’ (14:2)

β.  And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of 

spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. (14:3)

And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, ‘Why was this waste of the ointment made? (14:4)

For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor.’ And they murmured against her. (14:5)

χ.                       And Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. (14:6)

For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. (14:7)

She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. (14:8)

ο.  ‘Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be 

spoken of for a memorial of her.’ (14:9)

And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. (14:10)

ω.       And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. 

And he sought how he might conveniently betray him. (14:11)

α.  And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, ‘Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that 

thou mayest eat the passover?’ (14:12)

And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 

β.        and saith unto them, ‘Go ye into the city, 

and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. (14:13)

‘And wheresoever he shall go in, 

say ye to the goodman of the house, “The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, 

χ.                       where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?” (14:14)

And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: 

there make ready for us.’ (14:15)

And his disciples went forth, 

ο.        and came into the city, 

and found as he had said unto them: 

ω.  and they made ready the passover. (14:16)

intro: And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. (14:17)

α.  And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, 

‘Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.’ (14:18)

And they began to be sorrowful, 

β.   and to say unto him one by one, ‘Is it I?’ 

and another said, ‘Is it I?’ (14:19)

χ.   And he answered and said unto them, 

‘It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. (14:20)

‘The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: 

ο.   but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! 

good were it for that man if he had never been born.’ (14:21)

And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, 

and said, ‘Take, eat: this is my body.’ (14:22)

ω.       And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. (14:23)

And he said unto them, ‘This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. (14:24)

Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’ 

(14:25)

extro: And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. (14:26)

And Jesus saith unto them, ‘All ye shall be offended because of me this night: 

α.       for it is written, I WILL SMITE THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP SHALL BE SCATTERED. (Zech. 13:7) (14:27)

But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.’ (14:28)

β.  But Peter said unto him, ‘Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.’ (14:29)

χ.  And Jesus saith unto him, ‘Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, 

thou shalt deny me thrice.’ (14:30)

ο.  But he spake the more vehemently, ‘If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise.’ 

ω.  Likewise also said they all. (14:31)

α.  And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: 

and he saith to his disciples, ‘Sit ye here, while I shall pray.’ (14:32)

β.  And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; and 

saith unto them, ‘My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.’ (14:33‑34)

And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. (14:35)

And he said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.’ (14:36)

And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, 

and saith unto Peter, ‘Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? (14:37)

χ.                                 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. 

The spirit indeed is ready, but the flesh is weak.’ (14:38)

And again he went away, and prayed, 

and spake the same words. (14:39)

And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) 

neither wist they what to answer him. (14:40)

ο.  And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, ‘Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is 

come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. (14:41)

ω.  ‘Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.’ (14:42)

α.  And immediately in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and 

bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate. (15:1)

β.  And Pilate asked him, ‘Art thou the King of the Jews?’ 

And he answering said unto him, ‘Thou sayest it.’ (15:2)

χ.        And the chief priests accused him of many things: 

but he answered nothing. (15:3)

ο.  And Pilate asked him again, saying, ‘Answerest thou nothing? 

ω.  ‘Behold how many things they witness against thee.’ (15:4)

But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled. (15:5)

α.  Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. (15:6)

β.  And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had 

committed murder in the insurrection. (15:7)

And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. (15:8)

But Pilate answered them, saying, ‘Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?’ (15:9)

χ.                        For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. (15:10)

But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. (15:11) 

And Pilate answered and said again unto them, ‘What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?’ And they cried out again, ‘Crucify him.’ (15:12‑13)

ο.  Then Pilate said unto them, ‘Why, what evil hath he done?’ And they cried out the more exceedingly, ‘Crucify 

him.’ (15:14)

ω.  And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged 

him, to be crucified. (15:15)

α.  And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. (15:16)

β.  And they clothed him with purple, 

and having platted a crown of thorns, put it upon him, (15:17)

 And began to salute him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ (15:18)

χ.               And they smote him on the head with a reed, 

and did spit upon him, 

 and bowing their knees worshipped him. (15:19)

ο.  And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, 

ω.  and led him out to crucify him. (15:20)

intro: And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. (15:21)

And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, 

which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. (15:22)

α.             And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: 

but he received it not. (15:23)

And when they had crucified him, 

they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. (15:24)

β.   And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE 

KING OF THE JEWS. (15:25‑26)

And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH THE TRANSGRESSORS. (Is. 53:12) 

(15:27‑28)

And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, ‘Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, Save thyself, and come down from the cross.’ (15:29‑30)

χ.                       Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, ‘He saved 

others; himself he cannot save. (15:31)

‘Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.’ 

And they that were crucified with him reviled him. (15:32)

ο.  And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. (15:33)

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ which is, being interpreted, MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME? (Ps. 21:1) (15:34)

And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, ‘Behold, he calleth Elias.’ (15:35)

ω.            And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, ‘Let alone; let us see whether 

Elias will come to take him down.’ (15:36)

And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. (15:37)

And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. (15:38)

extro: And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God.’ (15:39)

There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; (15:40)

α.        (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) 

and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem. (15:41)

β.   And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea, an 

honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, (15:42‑43a)

and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. (15:43b)

And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: 

χ.             and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. (15:44)

And when he knew it of the centurion, 

he gave the body to Joseph. (15:45)

ο.   And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, 

and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. (15:46)

ω.  And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid. (15:47)