What does the Bible teach about the old covenant sacrifices versus Christ’s perfect offering in Hebrews 10:1-18?
For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; In burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ When he said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), then he added, "Behold, I have come to do your will." He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.
Key Facts
Term Name
Hebrews 10:1-18
Term Type
Theological Passage
Purpose
To contrast the temporary Levitical sacrifices with Christ's permanent atonement, establishing the new covenant's sufficiency.
Biblical Example
Key Takeaways
- Jesus' sacrifice permanently removes sin, fulfilling the old covenant's temporary system.
- The Levitical sacrifices could not fully cleanse consciences, unlike Christ's once-for-all offering.
- Christ's sacrifice establishes a new covenant written on believers' hearts, granting direct access to God.
What is Hebrews 10:1-18 about?
Hebrews 10:1-18 contrasts the limitations of the Old Testament sacrificial system with the permanent sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice, as explained in Hebrews 10:1-4 and 10:11-14.
The passage notes that the old covenant sacrifices could not fully remove sin (Hebrews 10:1-4), whereas Christ’s single sacrifice perfected believers permanently, rendering further offerings unnecessary (Hebrews 10:11-14).
The Contrast Between Old and New Covenants
Hebrews 10:1-18 starkly contrasts the repetitive, temporary nature of the Levitical sacrificial system with the once-for-all sufficiency of Christ’s atoning death.
The author argues that the old covenant sacrifices (Hebrews 10:1-4) could never fully remove sin or perfect those who offered them, requiring endless repetition. In contrast, Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 10:11-12) is described as a singular, eternal act that perfected believers permanently, rendering further offerings obsolete. This contrast underscores the inadequacy of the law’s ceremonial framework and the supremacy of Christ’s redemptive work.
By affirming that the new covenant renders the old covenant obsolete (Hebrews 10:18), the passage emphasizes that Christ’s sacrifice has definitively secured forgiveness and access to God, eliminating the need for human effort or ritual repetition.
The Permanence of Christ's Sacrifice
The author of Hebrews says that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross guarantees eternal redemption, which has important effects on Christian theology and practice.
Hebrews 10:10 declares believers are sanctified through Christ’s ‘once-for-all’ offering, contrasting with the Levitical system’s repeated sacrifices (Hebrews 10:1-2), which could never fully cleanse consciences. Christ’s singular act, as stated in Hebrews 10:12, ‘sat down at the right hand of God,’ symbolizing its completeness and finality, rendering further atonement unnecessary. This permanence ensures believers’ sins are fully removed, not just covered.
The passage underscores that Christ’s sacrifice perfects believers ‘forever’ (Hebrews 10:14), transforming their relationship with God. By securing a ‘new covenant’ written on hearts (Hebrews 10:16-17), His work cleanses consciences from guilt, enabling direct access to God without ritual mediation (Hebrews 10:18-19). This theological foundation invites believers to rest in Christ’s sufficiency, shifting focus from legalistic efforts to a life of faith in His completed redemptive work.
How to Read Hebrews 10:1-18 Correctly
To interpret Hebrews 10:1-18 accurately, focus on three key principles: the letter’s priestly theology, its chiastic structure, and its connection to the author’s warning passages in Hebrews 6-10.
First, read this passage within Hebrews’ broader argument that Jesus fulfills the role of high priest and offers a permanent sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1-4, 10:11-14). The chiastic structure - where the old covenant’s inadequacy (10:1-4) mirrors the new covenant’s sufficiency (10:11-14) - highlights Jesus’ superiority. This literary design reinforces the author’s theological claim that Christ’s sacrifice renders the Levitical system obsolete.
Finally, connect this passage to the warnings in Hebrews 6:4-6 and 10:26-31, which emphasize the dangers of apostasy. The permanence of Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 10:14) undergirds the urgency of these warnings, urging believers to hold fast to their faith in light of God’s final and complete redemptive work.
Going Deeper
To deepen our understanding of Hebrews 10:1-18, it is essential to explore the typological connection between the Levitical sacrifices and Christ’s final offering, as elaborated in Hebrews 9-10.
The author quotes Psalm 40:6-8 in Hebrews 10:5-7 to show that Jesus’ body was prepared for sacrifice, fulfilling the Old Testament’s shadowy rituals and establishing a new covenant based on obedience and eternal effectiveness. This highlights how Christ’s sacrifice surpasses the temporary, symbolic nature of Levitical offerings, securing eternal redemption.
Further Reading
Key Scripture Mentions
Hebrews 10:1-4
Explains the limitations of the old covenant sacrifices in removing sin.
Hebrews 10:11-14
Highlights Christ's singular, eternal sacrifice that perfected believers forever.
Psalm 40:6-8
Quoted in Hebrews 10:5-7 to show Jesus' fulfillment of the sacrificial system.
Related Concepts
Old Covenant (Theological Concepts)
The temporary system of Levitical sacrifices contrasted with Christ's permanent sacrifice.
New Covenant (Theological Concepts)
The eternal agreement established by Christ's sacrifice, written on believers' hearts.
Atonement (Terms)
The reconciliation of humanity to God through Christ's sacrifice, replacing the Levitical system.
Sanctuary (Theological Concepts)
Refers to Christ's heavenly role as the ultimate place of atonement and access to God.
Glossary
theological concepts
Old Covenant
The temporary system of laws and sacrifices under Moses, fulfilled by Christ's sacrifice.
New Covenant
The eternal agreement established through Christ's sacrifice, written on believers' hearts.
Sanctuary
The heavenly place where Christ intercedes, replacing the earthly temple's role in atonement.