Luke 17

“Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they…” The line’s distinctive content terms include disciples, impossible, offences. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.

“It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.” Naming Take keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent…” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.” Naming Increase keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked…” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from 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 will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten…” 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.

“Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.” 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.

“So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:” The number ten makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” Naming Jesus and Master keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.” Naming Samaritan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” 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.

“There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” Naming Arise keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom…” Naming Pharisees keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and…” 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 say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the…” Naming Noe keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they…” Naming Likewise and Lot keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.” Naming Lot and Sodom keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Remember Lot’s wife.” Naming Lot and Remember keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” 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 answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will 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.