Mark 2

“And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.” Naming Capernaum keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about…” The line’s distinctive content terms include door, gathered, insomuch. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.” 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 could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had…” The line’s distinctive content terms include broken, nigh, palsy. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” Naming Jesus and Son keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,” The line’s distinctive content terms include certain, hearts, reasoning. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?” 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 immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why…” 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.

“Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy…” 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 that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)” Naming Son keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.” Naming Arise keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.” The line’s distinctive content terms include multitude, resorted, side. Its relationship to verses 12 and 14 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphæus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me…” Naming Alph and Follow 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, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it…” 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.

“When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I…” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of…” 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 them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as…” 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 the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include piece, cloth, filled. Its relationship to verses 20 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?” 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, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were…” 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.

“How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not…” 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, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:” The line’s distinctive content terms include sabbath. Its relationship to verses 26 and 28 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.