Part I: Preparation for the passion -- I. Birth pangs -- II. The destiny of John the Baptist -- III. Persecution for the sake of justice -- IV. Jesus and His opponents -- V. The cross and the community's mission -- Part II: The passion of Jesus -- I. Prelude: the passion is announced in word and deed (26:1-16) -- II. The last Passover (26:17-35) -- III. Gethsemane: the handing over of the Son of Man (26:36-56) -- IV. Trial before the Sanhedrin (26:57-27:10) -- V. Trial before Pilate (27:11-31) -- VI. Crucifixion and death (27:32-56) -- VII. Vigil at the tomb (27:57-66) -- VIII. Resurrection and mission -- Part III: The passion of Jesus: Matthew's message -- I. The passion and Matthew's portrayal of Jesus -- II. The crisis of the passion and response to the Gospel -- III. The passion and Matthew's theology of history
