New Sinai, new tabernacle

Jesus teaches the disciples on the mountain, we’re told in 5:1. Jesus sees multitudes, sits down, and the disciples come to Him. On the mountain, there is a circle within the circle.

This is a new Sinai. Around Sinai, and around the tabernacle, there was a circle of priests and Levites, and then a larger circle of the multitudes of Israel. Israel was organized in concentric circles around the Torah kept in the Most Holy Place. Israel was organized in concentric circles around the tabernacle, God’s dwelling place. Jesus’ new Israel is organized in the same fashion.