Luke 2

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)” Naming Cyrenius and Syria keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called…” Naming David and Bethlehem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.” Naming Mary keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.” The line’s distinctive content terms include accomplished, days, delivered. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there…” The line’s distinctive content terms include clothes, firstborn, laid. Its relationship to verses 6 and 8 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” The line’s distinctive content terms include abiding, country, field. Its relationship to verses 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore…” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Naming Glory keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” Naming Joseph and Mary keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.” The line’s distinctive content terms include abroad, child, concerning. Its relationship to verses 18 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” The line’s distinctive content terms include shepherds, told, wondered. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Naming Mary keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named…” The number eight makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem…” Naming Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for…” Naming Ghost and Holy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” Naming Christ and Ghost keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the…” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to 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.

“For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;” The line’s distinctive content terms include face, people, prepared. Its relationship to verses 30 and 32 shows what work it does in this passage.

“A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” Naming Gentiles and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.” Naming Joseph keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with…” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for…” Naming Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city…” Naming Galilee keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.” Naming Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.” The number twelve makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and…” Naming Jerusalem and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk…” The line’s distinctive content terms include acquaintance, company, day’s. Its relationship to verses 43 and 45 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.” Naming Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.” The line’s distinctive content terms include answers, astonished, understanding. Its relationship to verses 46 and 48 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold…” 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, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” 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 they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.” The line’s distinctive content terms include spake, understood. Its relationship to verses 49 and 51 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in…” Naming Nazareth keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.