Mark 11

“And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall…” 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 any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him…” 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 went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?” 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 said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.” 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 brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.” The line’s distinctive content terms include branches, garments, others. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of…” Naming Blessed and Hosanna keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.” Naming Blessed and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the…” The number twelve makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:” Naming Bethany keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to…” The line’s distinctive content terms include leaves, afar, figs. Its relationship to verses 12 and 14 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the…” Naming Jerusalem and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.” The line’s distinctive content terms include carry, suffer, temple. Its relationship to verses 15 and 17 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but…” 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 the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all…” The line’s distinctive content terms include astonished, chief, destroy. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when even was come, he went out of the city.” The line’s distinctive content terms include city. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.” The line’s distinctive content terms include dried, morning, passed. Its relationship to verses 19 and 21 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.” Naming Master and Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.” Naming Have keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive…” Naming Father keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Naming Father keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the…” Naming Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?” 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 answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.” 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 reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?” 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 if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.” 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 Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by…” Naming Jesus and Neither keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.