Behold the glory of the King: The chiastic structures of Matthew 21−25

The Olivet Discourse is complex and difficult to interpret, but crucial to any preaching about eschatology. By identifying two chiastic structures that mirror each other, namely in Matthew 21:1−23:39 and 24:1−25:46, the relation and correspondence of the parts to each other and to the whole may be identified. Whereas the centre of the chiastic structure of Matthew 21:1−23:39 emphasises the authority and identity of Jesus Christ, the Lord and Son of David, the centre of the chiastic structure of 24:1−25:46 focuses on the sign and coming of the Son of Man. Matthew 21:1−25:46 could be a major literary unit that emphasises the King’s entrance into, rejection of and exit from the temple and Jerusalem during his first coming, juxtaposed with the sign and coming of the Son of Man to Jerusalem in glory. Until then, the Lord expects his followers to watch, to be ready and prepared as they labour faithfully for him in these last days.Kyk die heerlikheid van die Koning: Die chiastiese strukture van Matteus 21−25. Die Olyfberg-diskoers is kompleks en moeilik om te interpreteer, dog onontbeerlik vir enige prediking oor die eskatologie. Deur die eiening van twee chiastiese strukture wat mekaar weerspieël, naamlik in Matteus 21:1−23:39 en 24:1−25:46, kan die verhouding en ooreenkomste van die dele tot mekaar en die geheel geïdentifiseer word. Waar die middelpunt van die chiastiese struktuur in Matteus 21:1−23:39 die gesag en identiteit van Jesus Christus, die Here en Seun van Dawid, beklemtoon, fokus die middelpunt van die chiastiese struktuur in 24:1−25:46 op die teken en koms van die Seun van die Mens. Matteus 21:1−25:46 sou ’n belangrike literêre eenheid kon wees wat die Koning se ingang na, verwerping en agterlaat van die tempel en Jerusalem tydens sy eerste koms beklemtoon teenoor die teken en koms van die Seun van die Mens na Jerusalem in heerlikheid. Tot dan verwag die Here van sy volgelinge om te waak, om gereed en voorbereid te wees terwyl hulle getrou in hierdie laaste dae vir Hom arbei.