Acts 12

“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.” Naming Herod keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.” Naming James and John keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened…” Naming Jews and Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him…” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” Naming Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side…” Naming Arise keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy…” Naming Cast and Gird keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a…” The line’s distinctive content terms include angel, followed, thought. Its relationship to verses 8 and 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath…” Naming Herod and Jews keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where…” Naming John and Mark keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.” Naming Peter and Rhoda keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the…” Naming Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.” Naming Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of…” Naming James keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.” Naming Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.” Naming Herod keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.” The line’s distinctive content terms include gave, people, shout. Its relationship to verses 23 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and…” The verse names God and Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“But the word of God grew and multiplied.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose…” Naming Barnabas and Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.