Acts 4

“And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,” Naming Sadducees keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.” Naming Being and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.” The line’s distinctive content terms include eventide, hands, hold. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high…” Naming Alexander and Annas keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” 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 Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,” Naming Ghost and Holy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;” The line’s distinctive content terms include deed, examined, good. Its relationship to verses 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye…” Naming Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.” The line’s distinctive content terms include become, builders, corner. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they…” Naming Jesus and John keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.” The line’s distinctive content terms include beholding, healed, nothing. Its relationship to verses 13 and 15 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all…” 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.

“But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than…” Naming John keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For we can not but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto…” The line’s distinctive content terms include chief, company, elders. Its relationship to verses 22 and 24 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?” 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.

“The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.” Naming Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the…” Naming Ghost keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought 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 with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them…” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought…” Naming Neither keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” The line’s distinctive content terms include apostles, distribution, feet. Its relationship to verses 34 and 36 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite…” Naming Barnabas and Cyprus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” Naming Having keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.