Johann Sebastian Bach's St Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), BWV 244, is structured on multiple levels: the composition is structured in three levels of text sources (Gospel, libretto and chorales) and by the different forms that are used for musical expression (arias, recitatives and choruses).

Bach's large choral composition was written to present the Passion of Jesus, as told in the Gospel of Matthew, in a vespers service on Good Friday.

Contemporary poetry in Picander's libretto and chorales comment on the Bible text and open and close most scenes of the narration.

The St Matthew Passion can be divided in scenes or "stations" that follow the dramatic action of the Gospel account in different locations.

Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander), who collaborated with Bach, wrote text for recitatives and arias, and for the large scale choral movements that open and close the Passion.

Bach used the hymns in different ways, most are four-part setting, two are the cantus firmus of the two chorale fantasias framing Part I, one as a commenting element in a tenor recitative.

The Bible story is told by the Evangelist (Ev) in secco recitative, and by the characters that have direct speech in the narrative.

Movement 63b, Wahrlich, dieser ist Gottes Sohn gewesen (Truly, this man was God's own Son most truly), is treated the same way.

Part I ends with a chorale fantasia that is based on the opening chorus of the St John Passion in its second version, also performed by both choirs in unison, whereas the opening chorus is for double choir with the chorale "O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig" as the cantus firmus, which was originally played, later sung.