Following The Sermon On The Mount Analysis

Often times in today’s society, a verse or passage from the bible can be taken out of context and misconstrued into something else. When analyzing and interpreting biblical passages, it is incredibly important to understand how the location, structure, and content of a passage work together to form meaning. For example, one may pull a single verse from a miracle in Matthew and only see one potential interpretation. However, when analyzing a passage like Matthew 8:27 through 9:8, which features three miracles (calming of the storm, casting away the demons, and healing the paralytic), in a more holistic methodology, it can offer a deeper understanding, showing how the miracles work together to form a more intricate meaning. Through this passage,
Although the miracles are found after the initial presentation of Jesus, they are located early in his ministry. The narrative is still forming the character of Jesus, showing who he was, what he can do, and perhaps foreshadowing his purpose through his actions of healing and teaching. In addition, the narrative is supporting claims made during the initial presentation, showing that Jesus is different from others and ultimately his relation to God. Understanding where the passages fit within the narrative can aid in creating a full interpretation, as it can offer potential reasons why that passage is in the narrative or the intention behind the passage’s
In the first miracle, Jesus was woken by his disciples shouting, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” (8:25). Jesus then replied, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” (8:26) and calmed the storm over the sea. This passage shows that Jesus has the power to control weather and therefore creation. The importance of this act is then referenced though the disciples’ response of, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?” (8:27). This statement is not only portraying the astonishment of the disciples viewing this miracle, but also a rhetorical device used to prompt an idea in the reader. For example, a reader can answer this question and affirm this ability or power because the narrator has already set up Jesus as the Son of God. This passage then differentiates Jesus through his power to control the storm or earth, showing his importance to both the disciples and to the