Matthew 25

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:” The line’s distinctive content terms include took, foolish, lamps. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” The line’s distinctive content terms include lamps, took, vessels. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.” Naming While keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.” The line’s distinctive content terms include arose, lamps, trimmed. Its relationship to verses 6 and 8 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.” Naming Give keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include bridegroom, door, marriage. Its relationship to verses 9 and 11 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.” Naming Afterward keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” Naming Verily keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Naming Son and Watch keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.” The line’s distinctive content terms include cometh, long, lord. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me…” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will…” Naming His and Well keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make…” Naming His and Well keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.” The line’s distinctive content terms include afraid, earth, talent. Its relationship to verses 26 shows what work it does in this passage.

“His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and…” Naming His and Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.” The number ten makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his…” 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 shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” Naming Naked keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave…” 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.

“When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?” 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.

“Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?” 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 King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.” The line’s distinctive content terms include clothed, naked, prison. Its relationship to verses 42 and 44 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or…” 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.

“Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.