Matthew 9

“And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.” The line’s distinctive content terms include city, entered, passed. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the…” Naming Jesus and Son keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.” The line’s distinctive content terms include blasphemeth, certain, scribes. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?” 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 whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?” 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, (then saith he to the sick of the…” Naming Arise and Son keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he arose, and departed to his house.” The line’s distinctive content terms include arose, departed, house. Its relationship to verses 6 and 8 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith…” Naming Follow and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?” 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 Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous…” 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 disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast 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 Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but 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.

“No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include garment, cloth, fill. Its relationship to verses 15 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles…” Naming Neither keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of…” The number twelve makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee…” Naming Daughter and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.” Naming Give keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.” The line’s distinctive content terms include arose, hand, maid. Its relationship to verses 26 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.” The line’s distinctive content terms include abroad, fame, land. Its relationship to verses 25 and 27 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able…” 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 touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.” Naming According keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.” The line’s distinctive content terms include abroad, country, departed. Its relationship to verses 30 and 32 shows what work it does in this passage.

“As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.” The line’s distinctive content terms include devil, dumb, possessed. Its relationship to verses 31 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.” Naming Pharisees keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the…” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad…” The line’s distinctive content terms include abroad, compassion, fainted. Its relationship to verses 35 and 37 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;” The line’s distinctive content terms include disciples, harvest, labourers. Its relationship to verses 36 and 38 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Naming Pray keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.