RELB 435: New Testament Studies I: Localizing the Text

Read the entire book where your pericope is found.

Identify to which group of biblical books it belongs.

Identify the basic genre of the book (e.g., apocalyptic, wisdom, poetry, prophecy, historical narrative, biographical narrative, argumentative epistle, sermon). Does this identification affect the context of the passage under investigation?

Identify and record the paragraph or section within which your pericope is located.

Consider whether or to what extent the chapter divisions or the section topical labels (found in most modern Bibles) might be influencing your pre-understanding of the limits of this passage. Could these divisions create a bias in your interpretation of the passage?

What thematic elements are repeated or emphasized in the pericope? Provide references.

Where is the pericope located in the development of the discourse (at the beginning, in the middle, at the conclusion)?

How does the material that precedes this pericope prepare for and relate to it? What transition occurs to enter the pericope?

How does this pericope prepare for and relate to the material that follows? What transition occurs from this pericope to the next?

Based on your observations, are there any interpretations or applications that cannot be made from this passage due to contextual limits? Explain.

Provide a summary of your most significant observations and key interpretative questions about the book as a whole and about the function of the pericope within the book.