Luke 18

“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” The line’s distinctive content terms include always, faint, parable. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:” Naming Saying keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.” Naming Avenge keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;” Naming Though keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.” Naming Yet keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.” Naming Hear keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?” 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 tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the…” 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 spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:” The line’s distinctive content terms include certain, despised, others. Its relationship to verses 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners…” Naming Pharisee keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” The line’s distinctive content terms include fast, possess, tithes. Its relationship to verses 11 and 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall…” 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 brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.” The line’s distinctive content terms include disciples, infants, rebuked. Its relationship to verses 14 and 16 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is…” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 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 Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.” 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.

“Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour…” Naming Honour and Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.” Naming All keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and…” 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 he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.” The line’s distinctive content terms include rich, sorrowful. Its relationship to verses 22 and 24 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?” 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, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.” Naming Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife…” Naming Verily keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.” 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 understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were…” The line’s distinctive content terms include knew, understood. Its relationship to verses 33 and 35 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.” The line’s distinctive content terms include asked, hearing, meant. Its relationship to verses 35 and 37 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.” Naming Jesus and Nazareth keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” Naming David and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of…” Naming David and Son keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,” 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 wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.” 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 Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.” Naming Jesus and Receive keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.