The Inclusio of the Book of Matthew

From wikipedia:

"In literature, inclusio is a literary device based on a concentric principle, also known as bracketing or an envelope structure, which consists of creating a frame by placing similar material at the beginning and end of a section, although whether this material should consist of a word or a phrase, or whether greater amounts of text also qualify, and of what length the frames section should be, are matters of some debate. Inclusio is found in various sources, both antique and new."

The Inclusio of the Book of Matthew is that it starts and ends with "Immanuel". At the start, after the genealogies we are told that Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah (Matt 1:22-23).

"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall call his name Immanuel”

It then ends with "Immanuel" being fulfilled in the act of discipling.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

(Matt 28:19-20)

In fact the mid-point of the Book of Matthew also bears the "Immanuel" motif. We see this in Matthew 18:20 -

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Thus Jesus is the promised Immanuel, he Immanuels with us in the church discipline and he Immanuels with us in the act of making disciples.

Praise God for Jesus the Immanuel!

Comments

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