Acts 21

“And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.” Naming Phenicia keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there…” Naming Cyprus and Syria keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to…” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives…” The line’s distinctive content terms include accomplished, children, city. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Cæsarea: and we entered into the house of…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judæa a certain prophet, named Agabus.” Naming Agabus and Jud keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy…” 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 we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.” Naming Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die…” 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 when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.” Naming Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“There went with us also certain of the disciples of Cæsarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.” Naming Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.” Naming James and Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.” Naming Gentiles keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews…” Naming Jews keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying…” Naming Gentiles and Jews keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art 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.

“Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may…” Naming Them keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that…” Naming Gentiles keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up…” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law…” Naming Crying and Greeks keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into…” Naming Ephesian and Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and…” Naming Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an…” Naming Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the…” Naming Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult…” 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 he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.” The line’s distinctive content terms include borne, people, soldiers. Its relationship to verses 34 and 36 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou…” 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.

“Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four…” 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 Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee…” Naming Cilicia and Jew keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when…” Naming Hebrew and Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.