This same backgrounding effect is accomplished by the NT writers through the use of ‘circumstantial participles’. Every sentence in the New Testament required decisions to be made about what action (if any) to background and what action to make a full-fledged event. We make decisions all the time, usually without thinking about them, whether writing or speaking. We choose wording that fits best with what we want to communicate. The same is true of the NT writers. If they wanted something to be viewed