The work includes two synoptic studies, the first concerning Jesus' exhortations according to Matthew and the second concerning Mark as tragedy. The former discusses Jesus' exhortations related to the Messiah, kingdom of heaven (God), the Scriptures, the community, its mission, and the consummation. An introduction postures the study as to ethical-escatological alternatives. A brief epilogue summarizes some of the more critical findings. The latter study focuses on the classical division of tragedy: complication, crisis, and denouement. The sub-topics more or less correspond to the major divisions. We assume Mark's short ending as consistent with the structure of tragedy.