Matthew 11

“And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” 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.

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:” Naming Jesus and John keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up…” The line’s distinctive content terms include blind, cleansed, dead. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” 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 they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to…” 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 what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’…” 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 what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.” 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.

“For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist…” Naming Among and Baptist keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by…” Naming Baptist and John keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.” Naming Elias keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” The line’s distinctive content terms include hear, ears. Its relationship to verses 14 and 16 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their…” 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 saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.” The line’s distinctive content terms include danced, lamented, mourned. Its relationship to verses 18 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of…” Naming Son keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:” The line’s distinctive content terms include began, cities, mighty. Its relationship to verses 19 and 21 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in…” Naming Bethsaida and Chorazin keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for 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 thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have…” Naming Capernaum and Sodom keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these…” Naming Father and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.” Naming Even and Father keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the…” Naming Father and Son keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Naming Come keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.