This class will focus on the Passion story in Matthew's gospel: chapters 21 to 28 (using the King James translation). It is a continuation of the 2023-2024 course on this gospel (which concluded with Jesus' arrival at Jerusalem), but new members are welcome. The events of Passion week form a coherent story in their own right. We will consider Matthew's use of his sources (Mark and Q) and the way he adapts these to his particularly Jewish perspective (for example, his interest in, and great knowledge of, the "Old Testament"). We will look at those parables which are only found in Matthew's gospel and consider what these may suggest about Matthew's understanding of who exactly Jesus was. I will translate relevant Greek words and ideas when this seems helpful.