Challenging the idea that one can fully understand the meaning of a biblical verse based solely on that verse alone, Sanders explains the concept of biblical intertextuality. Since the Bible is full of inner references, one must study a single verse along with the verses that foreshadow or refer back to it, as well as the verses that deal with common themes. He cites specific examples of biblical intertextuality and discusses the traditions of scholarship that have used the concept in their work.