Anonymous author (Paul according to an ancient tradition; others propose Barnabas or Apollos). Written: Around AD 64–69, probably before the destruction of the temple in 70

General letters · New Testament · 13 chapters

The book of Hebrews

Jesus, better than everything

Author: Anonymous author (Paul according to an ancient tradition; others propose Barnabas or Apollos)
Written: Around AD 64–69, probably before the destruction of the temple in 70
Time covered: The end of the apostolic age, while worship is still being carried out in the Jerusalem temple (8:4; 10:11)
Key word: Better

Hebrews demonstrates that Jesus is better than everything that came before. The eternal Son, he is superior to the prophets and the angels (1-2), to Moses, and to Joshua, who did not give the true rest (3-4). He is the great high priest, compassionate, appointed forever after the order of Melchizedek (5-7). Mediator of a new covenant, he entered heaven with his own blood and offered a single sacrifice, valid for ever (8-10). Throughout the exposition, solemn warnings urge the readers not to draw back. The gallery of heroes of faith (11) leads to the final call: run with perseverance, eyes fixed on Jesus (12-13).

Main theme

Jesus, the Son of God, is superior to the angels, to Moses, to Joshua, and to the priesthood of Aaron; by his one sacrifice he inaugurates a better covenant. Believers tempted to draw back are called to stand firm in faith, with their eyes fixed on him.

Outline

Hebrews 1-2 — The Son, superior to angels
God has spoken by his Son, greater than the angels, who became man to die and to help his own.
Hebrews 3-4 — Superior to Moses, bringer of true rest
Faithful as a Son over God’s house, Jesus offers the rest that unbelief cost Israel.
Hebrews 5-7 — Priest after the order of Melchizedek
A compassionate high priest, appointed with an oath, ever living to make intercession.
Hebrews 8-10 — A better covenant and a better sacrifice
The true tabernacle, the new covenant, and the single offering that makes perfect for ever.
Hebrews 11-13 — Faith that perseveres
The cloud of witnesses, the race with eyes on Jesus, the unshakable kingdom, and life together as brothers.

Key points

God, who had spoken through the prophets, has spoken definitively by the Son, the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person (1:1-3).
The Son is superior to the angels: they worship him and serve the heirs of salvation, while he sits at God’s right hand (1:4-14).
Jesus was made like his brothers to be a merciful high priest, able to help those who are tempted (2:17-18; 4:15).
Moses was faithful as a servant in God’s house; Christ is faithful as a Son over his own house (3:5-6).
“To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts”: unbelief kept Israel from the rest (3:7-19).
Jesus is a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek, ever living to make intercession (7:17, 7:25).
By his own blood, Christ entered the holy place once for all; by one offering he has perfected for ever those who are sanctified (9:12; 10:14).
Faith is the substance of things hoped for; without it, it is impossible to please God (11:1, 11:6).

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Hebrews 1:1–3 — The Son, God’s final revelation: creator, brightness of his glory, purger of sins, seated at God’s right hand.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:15–16 — A high priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses: the invitation to come to the throne of grace.

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 7:25 — Complete salvation assured by a Savior who ever lives to make intercession.

Jesus in Hebrews

Hebrews is the great Christian commentary on Old Testament worship: Jesus is both the priest and the sacrifice. The eternal Son through whom God made the worlds (1:2), he became man to taste death for every man (2:9, 2:14), then entered heaven itself with his own blood (9:12, 9:24). Tabernacle, veil, sacrifices, and priesthood were only “a shadow of good things to come” (10:1); the reality is he, “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (13:8).

Did you know?

The author never names himself; in the 3rd century Origen already concluded that only God knows who wrote this epistle.
Melchizedek is mentioned in only three books of the Bible: Genesis (14:18), Psalms (110:4), and Hebrews, which names him repeatedly (chapters 5 to 7).
The quotation of Jeremiah 31:31-34 in Hebrews 8:8-12 is considered the longest Old Testament quotation in the New Testament.

Quiz on Hebrews

How is faith defined in Hebrews 11:1?

After the order of which person is Jesus a priest for ever?

According to 13:2, whom did some entertain unawares by showing hospitality?

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.