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Matthew liked twos and sometimes threes. For instance, he tells of Jesus saying "If two of you agree and ask, it will be done for them; and wherever two or three gather in my name, I am there" (Matthew 18:19-20). I wonder if Jesus and Matthew knew about the preacher who wrote "Two are better than one . . . and a threefold cord is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

Two is warmth and help when you fall; three together won’t even fall. Parallel posts create strength; triangular posts make the strongest structure. Apparently Matthew liked structure.

More evidence that Matthew liked twos lies in the fact that for Matthew, if he said it once, he said it twice. For a moment here, I’d like you to get your Bible, compare for yourself, and see how Matthew quoted Jesus as saying the same thing twice, each time in a different setting. Space won’t allow me to quote or paraphrase them all right here, so please look for yourself.

• Compare Matthew 6:15 with Matthew 18:35.
• Compare Matthew 7:16,20 with Matthew 12:33.
• Compare Matthew 12:39 with Matthew 16:4.
• Compare Matthew 13:12 with Matthew 25:29.

There are so many more that I feel sure you will be astounded when you start seeing them. I have spent hours looking for some sort of structural pattern in the ways Matthew used his twos. I find none.

I do enjoy comparing and contrasting the various settings and outcomes connected with the similar sayings. Through the years I have gained much spiritual insight and character growth through being with Matthew and Jesus in the structure they have left for us.

I think Jesus went around saying somewhat the same kinds of things in many, many different settings and Matthew felt satisfied only when he had recorded at least two times.

Two are better than one.