How does Midrash differ from the Mishna in the way it arranges material?

The primary difference in how Midrash and the Mishna arrange their material lies in their relationship to the biblical text:

• Midrash functions as a running commentary on the Bible. It utilizes an exegetical method to interpret and elaborate upon the scriptural text, often organizing its content as a verse-by-verse exposition or as homilies tied to specific biblical readings.123
• Mishna, by contrast, is a comprehensive compendium that presents the legal content of the oral tradition independently of the scriptural text. It is systematically organized into six major orders (sedarim), which are further divided into 63 tractates and individual chapters, focusing on thematic legal categories rather than following the sequence of the Bible.14

In short, while Midrash is structured around the flow and interpretation of the written Torah, the Mishna is structured as an independent, thematic codification of Jewish oral law.142