Luke 14

“And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.” The line’s distinctive content terms include certain, dropsy. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?” 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 they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;” The line’s distinctive content terms include healed, held, peace. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull…” 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 they could not answer him again to these things.” The line’s distinctive content terms include answer. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto…” The line’s distinctive content terms include bidden, chief, chose. Its relationship to verses 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou…” The line’s distinctive content terms include bidden, highest, honourable. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest…” Naming Give keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto…” Naming Friend keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren…” The line’s distinctive content terms include bade, brethren, call. Its relationship to verses 11 and 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:” The line’s distinctive content terms include blind, call, feast. Its relationship to verses 12 and 14 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include blessed, just, recompense. Its relationship to verses 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:” The line’s distinctive content terms include bade, certain, supper. Its relationship to verses 15 and 17 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.” Naming Come keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.” The line’s distinctive content terms include married, wife. Its relationship to verses 19 and 21 shows what work it does in this passage.

“So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may…” The line’s distinctive content terms include compel, filled, hedges. Its relationship to verses 22 and 24 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,” The line’s distinctive content terms include multitudes, turned. Its relationship to verses 24 and 26 shows what work it does in this passage.

“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea…” The line’s distinctive content terms include brethren, children, disciple. Its relationship to verses 25 and 27 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” The line’s distinctive content terms include bear, cross, disciple. Its relationship to verses 26 and 28 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have…” 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.

“Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,” Naming Lest keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.” Naming Saying keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with…” 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.

“Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.” The line’s distinctive content terms include ambassage, conditions, desireth. Its relationship to verses 31 and 33 shows what work it does in this passage.

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?” 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 neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him…” The line’s distinctive content terms include hear, dunghill, ears. Its relationship to verses 34 shows what work it does in this passage.