John 20

“The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone…” Naming Magdalene and Mary keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They…” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.” Naming Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.” The line’s distinctive content terms include clothes, linen, looking. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,” Naming Peter and Simon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.” The line’s distinctive content terms include clothes, head, linen. Its relationship to verses 6 and 8 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.” The line’s distinctive content terms include believed, disciple, first. Its relationship to verses 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.” The line’s distinctive content terms include disciples, home. Its relationship to verses 9 and 11 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,” Naming Mary keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know…” 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 when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto…” 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.

“Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.” Naming Jesus and Mary keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them…” Naming Father keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.” Naming Magdalene keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were…” Naming Jesus 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 so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the…” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” Naming Father and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:” Naming Ghost and Holy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” Naming Whose keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and…” The number eight makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into…” Naming Reach and Thomas keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.” 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.

“Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and…” Naming Jesus and Thomas keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might…” Naming Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.