Luke 13

“There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilæans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their…” Naming Galil and Pilate keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilæans were sinners above all the Galilæans, because they…” 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.

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men…” 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.

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit…” The line’s distinctive content terms include certain, fruit, parable. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and…” 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 answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.” The line’s distinctive content terms include bear, fruit, well. Its relationship to verses 8 and 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no…” The line’s distinctive content terms include bowed, eighteen, infirmity. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.” Naming Jesus and Woman keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said…” The number six makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass…” 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 ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from…” 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 had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious…” The line’s distinctive content terms include adversaries, ashamed, glorious. Its relationship to verses 16 and 18 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?” 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.

“It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree…” The line’s distinctive content terms include branches, fowls, garden. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?” 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.

“It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.” Naming Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,” 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.

“Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets…” 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 come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill…” Naming Get and Herod keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have…” Naming Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.