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Susan M. Rieske presents an exploration of the phrase "this generation" and its central term, geneá, in the Gospel of Matthew. She investigates how it demonstrates the concept of two spiritual families: "this generation", who have persecuted God's servants throughout the ages, and the elect, the family of God. She provides an in-depth examination into how this contrast is part of a "wicked generation" motif that is evident in Hebrew Bible texts as well as Second Temple and New Testament literature, and how knowledge of this motif can improve understanding of Matthew's theology.Rieske demonstrates how "this generation" invokes the familiar story of the redemptive historical conflict between the elect and non-elect seedlines traced back to Genesis. By examining seven key passages of Matthew, including Matthew 1:1-17 to explore the purpose of Matthew's genealogy and the missing generation, and Matthew 17:14-20 to illustrate the identity of geneá, Rieske suggests that Matthew's Gospel is the contemporary expression of this longstanding redemptive historical reality. She concludes that this motif serves to legitimize the messianic family as the true children of God and heirs of the kingdom while explaining the persecution they faced at the hands of "this generation."

Joshua D. A. Bloor argues that the purification of the consciousness of sin, via Jesus' perpetual heavenly blood offering, is a vital motif for understanding Hebrews' sacrificial argumentation, and vice-versa. Jesus' 'objective' earthly achievements are many, yet only his 'subjective' heavenly blood offering purges the heavenly tabernacle and subsequently the consciousness of sin. Bloor views the Levitical cult as having a positive role in Hebrews, with Levitical 'guilt' foreshadowing and informing Hebrews' notion of the 'consciousness of sin'. Levitical sacrifices could purge the consciousness, but only Jesus' heavenly blood can offer complete perpetual purgation. This blood is a qualitative type of purgation which continually speaks in heaven, offering eternal assurance for the recipients regarding their consciousness of sin. Bloor begins with the 'defiled consciousness' and situates the world of Hebrews within cultic defilement, enabling the consciousness of sin and its cosmic implications to be properly understood. From here, the solution to a defiled consciousness is explored by examining Hebrews' cultic argumentation. Bloor highlights the distinctive purposes inherent in both Jesus' earthly and heavenly achievements, with the latter concerned particularly with Yom Kippur imagery and the purgation of the consciousness. Bloor concludes by differentiating between Jesus' session, present heavenly activity and perpetual heavenly blood offering. Throughout this volume, Bloor engages, critiques and advances current discourse concerning the nature and timing of Jesus' offering in Hebrews.

This volume features a body of work selected by Craig A. Evans, B. J. Oropeza, and Paul T. Sloan, designed to examine just what is meant by "intertextuality," including metalepsis and the controversial and exciting approach known as "mimesis." Beginning with an introduction from Oropeza that orients readers in a complex and evolving field, the contributors first establish the growing research surrounding the discipline before examining important texts and themes in the New Testament Gospels and epistles. Throughout, these essays critically evaluate new proposals relating to intertextuality and the function of ancient Scripture in the writings that eventually came to comprise the New Testament. With points of analysis ranging from multidimensional recontextualization and ancient Midrash in the age of intertextuality to Luke's Christology and multivalent biblical images, this volume amasses cutting-edge research on intertexuality and biblical exegesis.