Luke 15

“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.” The line’s distinctive content terms include drew, hear, near. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.” Naming Pharisees keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he spake this parable unto them, saying,” The line’s distinctive content terms include parable, spake. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in 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.

“And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.” The line’s distinctive content terms include layeth, rejoicing, shoulders. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have…” Naming Rejoice keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house…” 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 she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have…” Naming Rejoice keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he said, A certain man had two sons:” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided…” Naming Father keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there…” The line’s distinctive content terms include country, days, gathered. Its relationship to verses 12 and 14 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.” The line’s distinctive content terms include arose, began, famine. Its relationship to verses 13 and 15 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.” The line’s distinctive content terms include citizen, country, feed. Its relationship to verses 14 and 16 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.” The line’s distinctive content terms include belly, fain, filled. Its relationship to verses 15 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I…” The line’s distinctive content terms include bread, enough, father’s. Its relationship to verses 18 shows what work it does in this passage.

“I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,” Naming Father keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and…” The line’s distinctive content terms include father, arose, compassion. Its relationship to verses 19 and 21 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called…” Naming Father keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and…” Naming Bring keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.” The line’s distinctive content terms include dancing, drew, elder. Its relationship to verses 26 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him…” Naming Thy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.” The line’s distinctive content terms include angry, father, intreated. Its relationship to verses 27 and 29 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy…” The line’s distinctive content terms include answering, commandment, father. Its relationship to verses 28 and 30 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted…” The line’s distinctive content terms include calf, devoured, fatted. Its relationship to verses 29 and 31 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” Naming Son keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost…” The line’s distinctive content terms include alive, brother, dead. Its relationship to verses 31 shows what work it does in this passage.