Mark 14

“After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.” Naming Not keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of…” Naming Bethany and Simon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?” 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.

“For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.” 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.

“For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.” Naming She keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.” 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 they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray…” The line’s distinctive content terms include betray, conveniently, glad. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt 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.

“And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where…” 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 will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.” The line’s distinctive content terms include furnished, large, prepared. Its relationship to verses 14 and 16 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include city, disciples, passover. Its relationship to verses 15 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.” The number twelve makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.” 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 began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?” 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 answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good…” Naming Son keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my…” Naming Jesus and Take keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.” The line’s distinctive content terms include drank, gave, thanks. Its relationship to verses 22 and 24 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.” The line’s distinctive content terms include blood, shed, testament. Its relationship to verses 23 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the…” Naming Verily keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.” Naming Olives keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.” Naming Galilee keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou…” Naming Jesus and Verily keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they…” Naming Likewise keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;” Naming James and John keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.” The line’s distinctive content terms include death, exceeding, here. Its relationship to verses 33 and 35 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from…” The line’s distinctive content terms include fell, forward, ground. Its relationship to verses 34 and 36 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I…” Naming Abba and Father keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one…” 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.

“Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” Naming Watch keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.” The line’s distinctive content terms include prayed, spake, words. Its relationship to verses 38 and 40 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.” The line’s distinctive content terms include answer, asleep, eyes. Its relationship to verses 39 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come…” Naming Sleep and Son keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords 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 he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.” Naming Master keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they laid their hands on him, and took him.” The line’s distinctive content terms include hands, laid, took. Its relationship to verses 45 and 47 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?” 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 was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.” 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 all forsook him, and fled.” The line’s distinctive content terms include fled, forsook. Its relationship to verses 49 and 51 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid…” The line’s distinctive content terms include young, body, certain. Its relationship to verses 50 and 52 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.” The line’s distinctive content terms include cloth, fled, left. Its relationship to verses 51 and 53 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the…” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed…” Naming Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,” The line’s distinctive content terms include arose, bare, certain. Its relationship to verses 58 shows what work it does in this passage.

“We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“But neither so did their witness agree together.” The line’s distinctive content terms include agree, witness. Its relationship to verses 58 and 60 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these…” 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 he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ…” 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, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?” 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.

“Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.” 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 some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the…” Naming Prophesy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:” 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 she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.” Naming Jesus and Nazareth keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock…” The line’s distinctive content terms include cock, crew, denied. Its relationship to verses 67 and 69 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.” 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 denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow…” Naming Jesus and Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.