Matthew 12

“At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the…” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the…” Naming Pharisees keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;” Naming David and Have keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for 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.

“Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are…” 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 I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include condemned, guiltless, known. Its relationship to verses 6 and 8 shows what work it does in this passage.

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

“And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:” The line’s distinctive content terms include departed, synagogue. Its relationship to verses 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal 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 said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit 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.

“How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.” 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.

“Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the…” Naming Stretch keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.” Naming Pharisees keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And charged them that they should not make him known:” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,” Naming Esaias keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind 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 all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?” 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 when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the…” Naming Beelzebub and Pharisees keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; 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 if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?” 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 if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.” 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 if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.” The verse names God and Spirit rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and…” 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.

“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” The line’s distinctive content terms include abroad, gathereth, scattereth. Its relationship to verses 29 and 31 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is…” Naming Either keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth…” 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.

“A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure…” The line’s distinctive content terms include evil, good, bringeth. Its relationship to verses 34 and 36 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.” Naming Master and Pharisees keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.” The line’s distinctive content terms include findeth, gone, places. Its relationship to verses 42 and 44 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept…” The line’s distinctive content terms include empty, findeth, garnished. Its relationship to verses 43 and 45 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.” Naming While keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.” 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 answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?” 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 stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!” The line’s distinctive content terms include brethren, disciples, hand. Its relationship to verses 50 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.