Acts 19

“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe…” Naming Christ and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” Naming Ghost and Holy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And all the men were about twelve.” The number twelve makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:” Naming Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the…” Naming Jesus and Jews keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they…” The line’s distinctive content terms include evil, fled, house. Its relationship to verses 15 and 17 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the…” Naming Ephesus and Greeks keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.” The line’s distinctive content terms include believed, confessed, deeds. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they…” The number fifty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.” The line’s distinctive content terms include arose, small, stir. Its relationship to verses 22 and 24 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our…” Naming Sirs keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and…” Naming Asia and Ephesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.” Naming Diana and Ephesians keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s…” 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 Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.” Naming Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure…” Naming Asia keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and…” Naming Alexander and Jews keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the…” 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 the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.” Naming Seeing keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.” The line’s distinctive content terms include assembly, dismissed. Its relationship to verses 40 shows what work it does in this passage.