Matthew 1-2

Matthew 1:18-2:23 sorts out into a neat chiasm:

A. Joseph, angel, dream, Jesus born

B. Wise men search for Jesus: to Herod

C. Wise men visit Jesus: dream

D. Joseph, dream flee to Egypt

C’. Herod tricked by wise men

B’. Herod kills children

A’. Joseph, angel, dream, Jesus settles in Nazareth

Sections A, D, and A’ are particularly intimately related.  Each is about a dream of Joseph in which an angel appears.  In all three, Mary and the child are mentioned.  Each includes a fulfillment formula.  In the D and A’ sections, the commands of the angel begins with a command to rise, a “resurrection” command: “Arise and take the Child and His mother” (vv. 13, 20).