The Macrostructure of Matthew’s Gospel 197 unity of place, because the adjuncts of place in 21,1.10.12.17 are a continuation of one another that together create the impression of continuous movement. In the first nine verses, Jesus is in the vicinity of Jerusalem, in 21,10 he enters the city, in 21,12 he enters the temple and in 21,17 he leaves the city. As Jesus reaches his destination in 21,1-17, we could consider this passage to be part of the preceding text. However, because on arrival he immediately undertakes a number of controversial actions in the temple, thus becoming involved in a short debate with the chief priest and scribes, who cross his path again later, we can also consider this passage as an introduction to the sequel. The connection with the preceding block is also clear from the indication of Jesus as the Son of David (in 20,30-31 as well as 21,9). The crowd mentioned in 21,8-10 are not inhabitants of Jerusalem but people who have travelled with Jesus to Jerusalem. They announce to the “whole city” that the man entering Jerusalem is a prophet, that his name is Jesus, and that he comes from Nazareth in Galilee. All this is information from earlier passages in the book. The places named, “the Mount of Olives”, “the temple”, and “Bethany”, show a connection with the sequel; all these locations, entered for the first time in 21,1-17, recur in subsequent passages. In view of all these connections with the preceding text and what follows, we can again typify this passage as a hinge text. After his arrival in Jerusalem, Jesus continues with the work he had been doing up till then: he heals the sick, debates with his adversaries and instructs his disciples. This is clearly expressed in the discourse he holds on the Mount of Olives (cf. “the mountain” in 5,1), in the presence of his disciples. In the sequence on Jesus’ activities in the city, we can discern a clear structure: 21,18–25,46 Jesus is active in Jerusalem A 21,18-22 A fig tree withers B 21,23–23,39 Debates with adversaries in the temple A’ 24,1-2 The temple shall be destroyed C 24,3–25,46 Discourse: the coming of the Son of Man Some explanation is necessary here. The whole block (21,18–25,46) takes place — just as 21,1-17 — on one day (see 21,18; 22,23.46). It is the day after the entry into Jerusalem that is largely taken up with debates in the temple (21,23; 24,1). This lengthy part is framed by 21,18-22 and 24,1-2. The link between these short scenes can be explained as follows. In 21,18-22, Jesus, who is on his way