Hebrews 9:13-28

The Lamb of God who Takes Away            the Sin of the World

What it says:

Heb 9:13  For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
Heb 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Heb 9:15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Heb 9:16  For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Heb 9:17  For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Heb 9:18  Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
Heb 9:19  For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
Heb 9:20  Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
Heb 9:21  Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
Heb 9:22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Heb 9:23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Heb 9:24  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Heb 9:25  Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
Heb 9:26  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Heb 9:28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

What it means:

Heb 9:13  For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

It was the blood and ashes of clean animals that sanctified “to the purifying of the flesh.”

Define: Sanctify -- G37, ἁγιάζω, hagiazō, hag-ee-ad'-zo; to make holy, that is, (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate: - hallow, be holy, sanctify. – bless, consecrate, make holy, make sacred, approve

Define: Purify -- G2514, καθαρότης, katharotēs, kath-ar-ot'-ace, cleanness (ceremonially): - purification. – cleanse, disinfect, sanitize, decontaminate, clean, get rid of impurities, distil, filter

Define: Flesh – physical aspect of humanity along with its needs and limitations, as opposed to the soul, mind, or spirit

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges: sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh] i.e. if these things are adequate to restore a man to ceremonial cleanness which was a type of moral purity. So much efficacy they had; they did make the worshipper ceremonially pure before God: their further and deeper efficacy depended on the faith and sincerity with which they were offered, and was derived from the one offering of which they were a type.

Notice that the blood or ashes of the animal did do a job of purifying of the flesh. It made the people “ceremonially clean” meaning it qualified them to participate in holy matters before the Lord. This was a blessing from the Lord and it was a foretaste, or type, of what was to come in Jesus Christ.

Define: Type – G5179, τύπος, tupos, too'-pos, a die (as struck), that is, (by implication) a stamp or scar; by analogy a shape, that is, a statue, (figuratively) style or resemblance; specifically a sampler (“type”), that is, a model (for imitation) or instance (for warning): example, fashion, figure, form, manner, pattern, print (copy)

Notice also that the blood or ashes did do a ritual cleansing, but it required faith and sincerity on the part of the one who offered the sacrifice to allow the cleansing to go deep into their heart. The cleansing of the heart was the reason for which God set up the sacrifices, but the people soon did it as a ceremony or ritual without sincerity of the heart.

Heb 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Define: Purged – remove something undesirable, impure, or imperfect; free someone from guilt, sin, or defilement

Notice that in verse 13 the flesh was purified and in verse 14 the conscience is purged. Same thing: cleansed. In verse 13 the flesh was sanctified, meaning set apart and made holy, and in verse 14 the conscience is made ready to serve the living God. Same thing: sanctified to serve the living God. The difference is between the flesh and the conscience, the outer body, and the inner man.

Eph 3:14-19  For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Through what did Jesus offer himself in Heb 9:14? Through the eternal Spirit.

We do not often see the words “eternal Spirit”. We see “Holy Ghost,” and we see “The Spirit of Christ,” etc. and we know these are different names for the same eternal Holy Spirit. What we are looking at is the deepest most sincere part of Jesus. He offered Himself through the eternal Spirit that dwelt deeply in Him.

In the OT ceremony the one offering the blood of an animal was doing it for his own sins, but Christ, had no personal sin. He offered Himself through the Holy Spirit for our sins! His conscience did not need to be purged, but ours does!!

Define: Conscience – G4894, συνείδω, suneidō, soon-i'-do, to see completely; used (like its primary) only in two past tenses, respectively meaning to understand or become aware, and to be conscious or (clandestinely) informed of: - consider, know, be privy, be aware of.

If we are conscious of our sin, we see it completely. What the blood of Christ does is purge or cleanse the inner view of ourselves. This, too, depends on faith and sincerity, but it depends not on our offering or sacrifice, but on our faith in the blood and finished work of Christ’s offering and sacrifice. Notice that he was serving God, and we are blessed and cleansed by the power of His Holy Spirit!

God is omniscient and knows all things, including our sins and our guilt, but in His wisdom, by His will, and for His pleasure, in Jesus Christ, He has removed our sins from us. He chooses not to remember them. Christ has purged our consciences from dead works that we may, (yes, remember that we have sinned as a reminder of the dust that we are), BUT, we may choose to count them as nothing as God does. God has removed the obstacle that kept us apart from Him and given us His Holy Spirit. He tore the curtain, from top to bottom, in the temple and in our hearts, and opened the way for Him to dwell among us -- Oh Hallelujah!! Not only are we able to go to the throne of grace in times of need, but God writes his law in our hearts and mind – His spirit is available to each one who turns to Him in belief and puts their trust in Him. Access is always a two-way street!

Heb 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

It is by faith in the finished work of Christ and the word of God that we receive the ability to serve the living God! By the power of the Holy Spirit working within us we are changed. A true and believing heart has the full assurance that its own heart has been “sprinkled” from an evil conscience, just as our bodies are washed with pure water. Like water off a ducks back... our sins have been washed away.

Joh_1:29  The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Your sin has been taken away. Behold Jesus… and see the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We need no longer feel guilt over old sin; even though we remember it, it no longer exists!!  It has been taken away!

Joh_8:36  Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Notice it did not say “sets you free” is says: “makes you free!” The idea behind “sets free” is like a caged bird that had been let out of its coop. It is physically free of its cage but is it really ready to live on its own in the world? To be “made free” is to be recreated: made new by the gift of the Holy Spirit who now guides us in our freedom.

Rom_12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

“I am transformed by the renewing of my mind.” When we live transformed we become the proof of what the good will, the acceptable will, and the perfect will of God desires in us. By faith, we no longer conform to this world which is a shadow and a pattern. By faith in Jesus, we are transformed to conform to heaven where the real sanctuary exists and God is enthroned. When we believe we are transformed and we see our destination is home in heaven, we no longer have to believe the lies of Satan who tempts us to believe we are not changed or forgiven. He wants to keep us under his thumb but we don’t have to fall for that any longer.

By our belief in what God has done for us, we can live with a different view of, and within, ourselves: the view that newly directs our actions and proves (provides evidence) what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. WE make GOD right in our hearts, because our hearts have already been made right by Him!! We prove Him right by walking within the yoke of Christ, our Husband and Redeemer. Hallelujah!!

Mat_6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Col_2:20  Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

Tit_3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Psa_51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

This He did in Jesus Christ!!

Heb 9:15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament,

Wuest’s Word Studies: The word “mediator” is the translation of “mesites” which refers to one who intervenes between two, to make or restore peace and friendship, to form a compact, or to ratify a covenant. Here the Messiah acts as a go-between or mediator between a holy God and sinful man. By His death on the cross, He removes the obstacle (sin) which caused an estrangement between man and God. When the sinner accepts the merits of Messiah's sacrifice, the guilt and penalty of his sin is his no more, the power of sin in his life is broken, he becomes the recipient of the divine nature, and the estrangement between himself and God, both legal and personal, disappears.

that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament,

Define: Redemption – improving of something, the act of saving from a declined, dilapidated, or corrupted state and restoring it, him, or her to a better condition. Redeemed state, atonement for sin, deliverance from the sins of humanity by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, the removal of a financial obligation; salvation, deliverance, rescue, release, liberation, emancipation, recovery

Define: Transgressions – action violating law or code, a crime or any act that violates a law, command, or moral code. Commission of wrongs, the committing of acts that violate the law. Overstepping a limit; an act or the process of overstepping a limit or boundary

they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Who are the “called?”  Believers.

What might they receive? The promise of eternal inheritance.

Since Christ takes away the sin of the entire world, everyone has been called to come close to God. A man often feels the call as an emptiness within himself which creates a desire within for “something more.” I was once told about a God-shaped hole in our hearts -- a hole that only God can fit and fill. When you turn to God in repentance because you have heard His call within you, and you place your faith in the finished work of Christ, you become one of “the called,” your heart is changed, and you “might” receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Define: Might – may, can, could, possibly will, may well, may perhaps, may possibly

Why do you suppose our author used the word “might?”  Because of the “enduring faith” that is required. Right now, what we have is the PROMISE, in future we’ll have the INHERITANCE. Remember that our author has already covered, in depth, what happened to those who fell in the wilderness because they stopped believing. He did that as a reminder that we need to keep believing too. If we continue to believe, till death do us part from this world, we will then actually receive the eternal inheritance.

2Co_5:7  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 

Heb 9:16  For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

Heb 9:17  For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

What legal document is being described here? A last will and testament.

BBC: The testator may have drawn up his will many years previously and kept it secure in his safe, but it does not take effect until he dies. As long as he is alive, his property cannot be distributed to those named in the will.

Heb 9:18  Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

Define: Whereupon – at which point or time, or, as a result of

Define: Neither – a negative grammatical word that introduces or connects two people, things, or situations, both of which are excluded: such as: neither shirt looks good, neither of the boys wants to go, “Would you like pork or fish?” “Neither, thank you.” 

At that point in time, neither of the two testaments were dedicated without blood.

How was the first testament dedicated?  By the blood of clean animals.

How was the second testament dedicated? By the blood of Jesus Christ.

Heb 9:19  For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

Heb 9:20  Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

Define: Precept – principle, a rule, instruction, or principle that guides someone’s actions, especially one that guides moral behavior; a warrant or writ that is issued by a legal authority, teaching, instruction, law

After Moses had shared what God told Him to tell the people then he followed the law and made an animal sacrifice which also included water, red wool, and hyssop which is a fragrant plant whose twigs were used to sprinkle water during Hebrew religious ceremonies.

What did Moses sprinkle with blood?  The book, and all the people.

Define: Enjoined – command someone, to impose a condition or course of action on others, to forbid something, in the law to forbid or command someone to do something by means of a legal injunction.

Heb 9:21  Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

What else did Moses sprinkle with blood?  The building (tabernacle) and the vessels or utensils which the priests used to do their ministry.

The tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry had been created following the pattern of things in Heaven that God had given unto Moses. With the blood of the animals they were sprinkled and cleansed for holy use in the ministry to God in the tabernacle.

Heb 9:22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

“Almost all things” are purged with blood by what?  The law.

What happens without the shedding of blood, by law? No remission.

Define: Remission – release from debt, penalty, or obligation; forgiveness or pardon

By the law things are purged when a blood sacrifice is offered. If blood is not shed, there can be no forgiveness.

Heb 9:23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

Notice the word “necessary.” It was needed and important that the tabernacle and the implements which are the “patterns of things in the heavens” be purified with the blood requirement of the law.

What is needed to purify the heavenly things themselves?  A better sacrifice than these.

Heb 9:24  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

Where is Christ not entered into?  The holy  places made with the hands of men.

Where is Christ entered into? Heaven itself.

In whose presence does He appear? God's.

For whom does he appear before God? For us! Hallelujah!

Heb 9:25  Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

Who is Christ being compared to? The high priest.

What does the high priest do, that Christ need not do? Enter into the holy place every year.

With what kind of blood? The blood of others.

Heb 9:26  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world:

If He did that, he would have had to suffer and die over and over again.

but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

The words “the end of the world” are contrasted with what?  The foundation of the world.

How many times has Christ offered his own blood? Once.

What did the sacrifice of himself accomplish?  He put away sin, once, and for all!!

Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Define: Appointed – chosen, selected, fixed, prearranged, allotted

 How often do individual men die? Once.

What comes after man dies? The judgment.

The word “as” means we are realizing that Christ died once, because man, whom He came to represent, dies only once, also.

Heb 9:28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many;

Define: So – in the same way, consequently, as a result, thus, therefore, subsequently, hence

Christ died once, but bore the sins of many people.

and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

To whom shall he appear the 2nd time? To them that are looking and waiting for him.

When he comes the second time, he shall appear without what?  Without sin.

This, too, is a comparison to what the high priest does who makes the yearly atonement. (Optional, read: Lev 16:20-24). Christ will have no need to make any further atonement, His work on the cross is finished. To those who are looking for His return, he will not be coming to deal with sin further. Sin has been dealt with completely, already.

When he comes the second time what shall we experience fully?  Salvation!! Amen!

The Pulpit Commentary: In Christ’s first coming everything is connected with sin. He is lifted up to draw sinners to him. All the energy of the Spirit and all the agencies of the gospel are employed to persuade sinners to accept the sin-bearing, sin-removing work of Christ. But he is coming a second time, altogether apart from sin—coming to deliver into everlasting security those who have believed in him. The completeness of salvation is always looked upon in the New Testament as a thing yet to come. The promise is of immediate safety, as far as it can be given in our present surroundings. It is our own fault if we are not safe from backsliding, temptation, and doctrinal error. But in the fullest sense of the word salvation, we are saved, as Paul says, by hope. We are hoping for full possession of every good, full security from every evil. When Christ has taken away the sin of the world, he will take away the peril, the insecurity, of the world.

Believers’ Bible Commentary: Verse 26: He has appeared. This refers to His First Advent when He came to earth to save us from the penalty of sin (the past tense of salvation).

⦁    Heb 9:26  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

In verse 26 we see what has occurred in the past -- that Christ has already appeared to put away sin. He appeared on this earth to save us from the PENALTY OF SIN. He accomplished this through his faith and obedience to the Holy Spirit of God (His sinless life), the things which he endured, and by His resurrection from the dead.

He is our Savior.

BBC: Verse 24: He now appears. This is a reference to His present ministry in the presence of God to save us from the power of sin (the present tense of salvation).

⦁    Heb 9:24  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

In verse 24 we see what is occurring presently – that Christ appears in the presence of God as our intercessor -- for us. He abides in Heaven, He abides in us, we abide in Him. He walks with us, lending us His strength for our weakness. He holds us up, He speaks for us and through us. He comforts us and loves us continually. He is presently our High Priest who saves us from the POWER OF SIN. The power of sin is distraction from God!! Sin is all around us. We have temptation – and temptation is meant to distract us from God, our relationship, and standing with Him. Sin wants to take our eyes off of the good things of God and put them on something less than Him, but “all that is beneath God will not satisfy us!!” (A.W. Tozer) Christ is our mediator right this very minute to help us walk through this life in faith!  “For we walk by faith and not by sight.”

2Co_12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

BBC: Verse 28: He will appear. This speaks of His imminent Return when He will save us from the presence of sin (the future tense of salvation).

⦁    Heb 9:28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

In verse 28 we see what shall occur in the future – that Christ shall appear the second time without sin unto salvation.  He shall come to gather His flock (those who believe in Him and follow Him) to His side as He reigns as King of kings, and Lord of lords forever. He is the blessed and only Potentate who saves us from the PRESENCE OF SIN!!

In the past Jesus saved us from the penalty of sin (we have forgiveness). He currently saves us from the power of sin (He is our advocate before the throne). At the second coming He will bring complete salvation – He will remove us from the presence of sin!! All things will be given new life in Christ. All the old dead things shall vanish away.

1Ti 6:11-12  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Php 3:20-21 (CEV) But we are citizens of heaven and are eagerly waiting for our Savior to come from there. Our Lord Jesus Christ has power over everything, and he will make these poor bodies of ours like his own glorious body.

1Jn_4:19  We love him, because he first loved us.

Let's read our verses again:

Heb 9:13  For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
Heb 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Heb 9:15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Heb 9:16  For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Heb 9:17  For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Heb 9:18  Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
Heb 9:19  For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
Heb 9:20  Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
Heb 9:21  Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
Heb 9:22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Heb 9:23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Heb 9:24  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Heb 9:25  Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
Heb 9:26  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Heb 9:28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.