Luke 16

“And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto…” The line’s distinctive content terms include accused, certain, disciples. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou…” 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 the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig…” 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.

“I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.” The line’s distinctive content terms include houses, receive, resolved. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?” 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, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.” The number hundred makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him…” 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 lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their…” The line’s distinctive content terms include children, commended, generation. Its relationship to verses 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive…” Naming Make keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also…” The line’s distinctive content terms include faithful, least, unjust. Its relationship to verses 9 and 11 shows what work it does in this passage.

“If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” 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 if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?” 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.

“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.” Naming Pharisees keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into…” Naming John keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put…” Naming Whosoever keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:” The line’s distinctive content terms include certain, clothed, fared. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,” Naming Lazarus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his…” The line’s distinctive content terms include crumbs, desiring, dogs. Its relationship to verses 20 and 22 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” Naming Abraham and Lazarus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in…” Naming Abraham and Father keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil…” Naming Abraham and Lazarus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you…” The line’s distinctive content terms include fixed, gulf. Its relationship to verses 25 and 27 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:” The line’s distinctive content terms include father, father’s, house. Its relationship to verses 26 and 28 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” Naming Abraham and Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.