Mark 16

“And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that…” Naming Mary and James keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.” The line’s distinctive content terms include early, first, morning. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?” 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 they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.” The line’s distinctive content terms include looked, rolled, stone. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and…” The line’s distinctive content terms include affrighted, clothed, entering. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not…” Naming Jesus and Nazareth keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he…” 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 went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing…” The line’s distinctive content terms include afraid, amazed, fled. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast…” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.” The line’s distinctive content terms include mourned, told, wept. Its relationship to verses 9 and 11 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.” The line’s distinctive content terms include alive, believed, seen. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.” 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 went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.” The line’s distinctive content terms include believed, residue, told. Its relationship to verses 12 and 14 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of…” Naming Afterward keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand 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 went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs…” Naming Amen keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.