John 3

“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:” Naming Jews and Nicodemus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man…” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the…” Naming Except keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb…” 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.

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into…” Naming Except keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” The verse names Spirit rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things 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.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?” 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.

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our…” Naming Verily keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?” 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 no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.” Naming Son keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” The line’s distinctive content terms include believeth, eternal, life. Its relationship to verses 14 and 16 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not…” Naming Son keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because…” The line’s distinctive content terms include light, condemnation, darkness. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judæa; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.” Naming Jesus and Jud keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were…” Naming John and Salim keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For John was not yet cast into prison.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.” Naming Jews and John keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness…” Naming John and Jordan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” Naming John keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.” Naming Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth…” The line’s distinctive content terms include bridegroom, bride, bridegroom’s. Its relationship to verses 28 and 30 shows what work it does in this passage.

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh…” The line’s distinctive content terms include cometh, earth, earthly. Its relationship to verses 30 and 32 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.” The line’s distinctive content terms include receiveth, seen, testifieth. Its relationship to verses 31 shows what work it does in this passage.

“He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.” Naming Father and Son keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.