Matthew 16

“The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.” Naming Pharisees and Sadducees keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.” The line’s distinctive content terms include evening, fair, weather. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern…” 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 wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.” The line’s distinctive content terms include bread, disciples, forgotten. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.” Naming Jesus and Pharisees keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.” The line’s distinctive content terms include bread, reasoned, taken. Its relationship to verses 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have…” 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.

“Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?” 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.

“Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?” 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 is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven…” 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 understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and…” Naming Pharisees and Sadducees keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son…” 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 said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?” 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 Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Naming Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto…” Naming Bar and Blessed keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the…” Naming Get keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and…” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in…” 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 the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.