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Gibbs, Jeffrey A. “The Structure and Themes of Matthew 8-9." Matthew 1:1-11:1. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2006, pp. 402-406.
Matthew's narrative of Jesus' ministry was interrupted in 4:25-8:1 by the Sermon on the Mount. The narrative resumes in chapters 8-9. Gibbs notes that this first half of the middle portion of the Gospel shows Jesus' Galilean ministry growing. The narrative was focused on word and deed. The Sermon was words. In chapters 8-9 Matthew focuses on Jesus' deeds. Gibbs takes these deeds to be emphasizing "Jesus' authority and how people react to it" (Gibbs 2006, 402).
Gibbs emphasizes that Jesus' authority as seen in chapters 8-9 is characterized by grace. He shows authority by healing and forgiving people (Gibbs 2006, 403). The reign of heaven, then, as Jesus shows it, is intended to do good for others.
Gibbs observes that Jesus only healed and rescued some, not all, people in Galilee (Gibbs 2006, 404). The consummation of Jesus' ministry, though, it not until the last day. Though Jesus has bound Satan, his reign in full is yet to come (Gibbs 2006, 405).
Gibbs notes that sevearl structural schemes exist for the organization of chapters 8-9, and that none has clearly won out over the others. One influential model sees the actions "as three triads of miracle stories," with each followed by some narrative (Gibbs 2006, 405).