The Shape of Matthew’s Story (Biblical Studies from the Catholic Biblical Association of America)

by Francis J. Moloney

Publisher:

Paulist Press

, 2023

Overview

The Gospel of Matthew, like the other Gospels, is a story. The narrative nature of Matthew’s account of the life of Jesus unfolds as a plotted sequence of words and events, beginning with his birth and closing with his presence to the disciples as their risen Lord. The location of any single passage within the flow of the unfolding story is a major guide to understanding this Gospel. Matthew is best known for his account of the birth of Jesus (Matt 1―2); Peter’s recognition of Jesus as the Son of Man, the Son of God (16:13–20); and the final commission of all the disciples to preach the gospel to all nations (28:16–28). But where do these famous passages appear in the story? What preceded them and what follows? The first Gospel famously highlights five major discourses, during which only Jesus speaks. How do they contribute to Matthew’s story of the life of Jesus?

The Shape of Matthew’s Story focuses upon the temporal and geographical flow of the unfolding narrative, and the interacting roles of the protagonists within it. It traces an early Christian storyteller’s single-minded presentation of God, Jesus Christ, the call to discipleship, and the Christian Church.

Key Features

• Focuses upon the temporal and geographical flow of the unfolding narrative.
• Explores the interacting roles of the protagonists within the narrative in Matthew.
• Traces an early Christian storyteller’s single-minded presentation of God.

Contents

• Chapter One: Matthew among the Gospels
• Chapter Two: The Coming of the Messiah (Matthew 1:1—4:16)
• Chapter Three: Jesus’ Ministry of Preaching and Healing (Matthew 4:17—11:1)
• Chapter Four: The Crisis in the Ministry of the Messiah (Matthew 11:2—16:23)
• Chapter Five: The Messiah’s Journey to Jerusalem (Matthew 16:13—20:34)
• Chapter Six: The Messiah’s Death and Resurrection in Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1—28:15)
• Chapter Seven: The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16–20)

Praise for The Shape of Matthew’s Story

Throughout his long and productive career, Fr. Francis Moloney has published many works of serious scholarship along with books that address the general public. His ability to speak clearly and intelligently on both levels, often at the same time, is truly remarkable. The Shape of Matthew’s Story is a prime example of his making academic research available to the educated laity.

—John P. Meier, University of Notre Dame

In typical Moloney fashion, The Shape of Matthew’s Story delivers an accessible, insightful, and lucid introduction to the first Gospel. Students and clergy alike will benefit from Moloney’s careful attention to the narrative, historical, and theological concerns of the text.

—Kelly Iverson, Baylor University

Employing considerable skills as narrative critic, Francis Moloney offers a compelling account of Matthew’s story of the Messiah, from birth to death and beyond. With Moloney as reliable guide, Matthew’s complex yet profound narrative emerges from the page, inviting the reader into a community of disciples that is taught by Jesus.

—Ian Boxall, University of Oxford

Product Details

• Title: The Shape of Matthew’s Story
• Author: Francis J. Moloney
• Series: Biblical Studies from the Catholic Biblical Association of America
• Volume: 9
• Publisher: Paulist Press
• Print Publication Date: 2023
• Logos Release Date: 2026
• Pages: 132
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. N.T. Matthew › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Bible. N.T. Matthew › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9780809155989, 0809155982, 9780809187560, 0809187566
• Resource ID: LLS:SHPMTTHWSSTRY
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2026-05-19T16:06:04Z

About Francis J. Moloney

Francis J. Moloney earned his STL from the Salesian Pontifical University in 1970 and his LSS from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in 1972. He earned a DPhil from the University of Oxford in 1976. He was professor of New Testament at Catholic Theological College in Melbourne’s College of Divinity in Australia from 1976 to 1994. Moloney was the first theologian to be recognized as a fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities—an honor conferred in 1992—and was awarded the Order of Australia in 1994.

Moloney became professor of New Testament at the Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington, DC, in 1999, and was elected president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America in 2001. By 2003, he was dean of the School of Theology and Religious Studies at CUA. He was appointed by Pope John Paul II to the International Theological Commission to the Holy See and served on it for 18 years. Moloney has written 36 books and numerous articles, including a popular commentary on the Catholic Epistles, From James to Jude and A Body Broken for a Broken People. Eucharist in the New Testament.