Hebrews 9:13-14
9:13 a The ashes of a heifer were used with water to cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity (see Num 19 b).9:14 c how much more: This is an argument from lesser to greater, a traditional Jewish rhetorical strategy; the logic is that if something is true in a lesser situation, it will be even more true in a greater situation (see also 2:1-4 d; 12:25-29 e). If the blood of animals had some effect in cleansing, the blood of Christ will be much more effective.
• will purify our consciences: Christ’s sacrifice, unlike the sacrifices of the old covenant, removes the paralyzing guilt that keeps us from God by decisively cleansing us from sinful deeds.
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