Luke 5

“And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” Naming Launch and Simon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy…” Naming Master and Simon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.” The line’s distinctive content terms include brake, fishes, inclosed. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they…” The line’s distinctive content terms include beckoned, began, both. Its relationship to verses 6 and 8 shows what work it does in this passage.

“When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Naming Depart and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear…” Naming Simon and Fear keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.” The line’s distinctive content terms include followed, forsook, land. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from…” The line’s distinctive content terms include clean, departed, hand. Its relationship to verses 12 and 14 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by…” The line’s distinctive content terms include abroad, fame, healed. Its relationship to verses 14 and 16 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.” The line’s distinctive content terms include prayed, wilderness, withdrew. Its relationship to verses 15 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to…” The line’s distinctive content terms include means, palsy, sought. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the…” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.” Naming Man keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive…” 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.

“But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?” 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.

“Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?” 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.

“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,)…” Naming Arise and Son keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said…” Naming Follow and Levi keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he left all, rose up, and followed him.” The line’s distinctive content terms include followed, left, rose. Its relationship to verses 27 and 29 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat…” Naming Levi keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans 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 Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” The line’s distinctive content terms include call, repentance, righteous. Its relationship to verses 31 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of 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 he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with 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.

“But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.” 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 spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both…” The line’s distinctive content terms include piece, agreeth, both. Its relationship to verses 35 and 37 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.” The line’s distinctive content terms include better, desireth, drunk. Its relationship to verses 38 shows what work it does in this passage.