Matthew 17

“And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,” The number six makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.” The line’s distinctive content terms include face, light, raiment. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.” Naming Elias and Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three…” 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 spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is…” Naming Son and While keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.” The line’s distinctive content terms include afraid, disciples, face. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.” Naming Arise and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until 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.

“And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?” 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 answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed…” 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 disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.” Naming Baptist and John keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,” The line’s distinctive content terms include certain, kneeling, multitude. Its relationship to verses 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into…” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.” The line’s distinctive content terms include cure, disciples. Its relationship to verses 15 and 17 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall 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 Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?” 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, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Naming Howbeit keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:” 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 shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.” 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 they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master…” 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 saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do…” 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.

“Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.” Naming Jesus and Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first…” Naming Notwithstanding keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.