Matthew 5

“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:” The line’s distinctive content terms include disciples, mountain, multitudes. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,” The line’s distinctive content terms include mouth, opened, taught. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Naming Blessed keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” 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.

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Naming Blessed keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were…” Naming Rejoice keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth…” 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.

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” The line’s distinctive content terms include city, hill, light. Its relationship to verses 13 and 15 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are…” Naming Neither keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Naming Father keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” Naming Think 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, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called 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.

“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy…” Naming Leave keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee…” Naming Agree keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.” Naming Thou and Verily keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:” Naming Thou 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 whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in…” The line’s distinctive content terms include adultery, already, committed. Its relationship to verses 27 and 29 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform…” Naming Again keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:” 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.

“Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.” Naming Jerusalem and King keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.” 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.

“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” Naming Nay and Yea keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:” The line’s distinctive content terms include tooth. Its relationship to verses 37 and 39 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other…” 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 will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.” The line’s distinctive content terms include cloke, coat. Its relationship to verses 39 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.” Naming Give keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them…” 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.

“That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the…” Naming Father keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?” 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 if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?” 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.

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Naming Father keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.