Matthew 20

“For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.” The line’s distinctive content terms include agreed, labourers, penny. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,” The line’s distinctive content terms include hour, idle, marketplace. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.” Naming Again keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all…” 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.

“They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.” The line’s distinctive content terms include eleventh, hired, hour. Its relationship to verses 8 and 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a…” The line’s distinctive content terms include received, first, likewise. Its relationship to verses 9 and 11 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,” The line’s distinctive content terms include goodman, house, murmured. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and…” 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 one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?” 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.

“Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.” Naming Take keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?” 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.

“So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,” The number twelve makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, 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 shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.” Naming Zebedee keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right…” 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 Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be…” 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 saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but…” 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 the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.” The number ten makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and…” Naming Gentiles and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:” The line’s distinctive content terms include chief, servant. Its relationship to verses 26 and 28 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Naming Even and Son keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.” Naming Jericho keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on…” Naming David and Have keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?” 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.

“They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.