Hebrews Introduction

When:

Most people agree the book was written sometime between 64-69 A.D. More precise dating would seem to indicate a range of 67-69 A.D. The Temple had not yet been destroyed (70 A.D.) since all references to the sacrificial system are still in the present tense.

Where:

Since we are not confident regarding the author’s identity, we are not sure of the location from which he was writing. It was written specifically to Hebrew Christians living in Jerusalem. It can certainly be more broadly applied, but they were the target audience.

The book is written in Greek and scholars promise that if you read this in Greek, it is like poetry. Not only is it doctrinally one of the most challenging books to interpret in the New Testament (barring Revelation), but it is also grammatically the most advanced.

Author:

We are not 100% sure of the author’s identity. He does not officially introduce himself. Several candidates have been put forth over the years:

Paul – This was the most popular suggestion and for a few hundred years of church history it was actually titled an epistle of Paul to the Hebrews However, he is perhaps one of the only individuals that we can officially rule out. Based on Heb. 2:3, it appears the author had not personally met Jesus. The testament about Jesus was made by “those who had heard” – not from Jesus personally
1. Additionally, Paul always identified himself as the author of his writings – he was actively writing to churches even very close to his death (2 Timothy). There is no reason to expect he would decide to conceal his identity for this one book
Timothy – it wasn’t him – we can officially rule him out. In Hebrews 13:23, the author specifically states that Timothy was released. This clearly means that the author knew Timothy, but clearly precludes him from being the author
Barnabas – He is actually the first possible author identified by early church fathers. Tertullian, in 200 A.D., identified Barnabas as the author. While this is not definitive proof, the early nature of this identification lends weight to the claim. Additionally, church tradition says that Barnabas may have been from the tribe of Levi which would explain his familiarity with OT Scripture/the sacrificial system
1. Con: Barnabas would likely have been near Paul’s age. He was from Cyprus so it is theoretically *possible* that Barnabas never met Jesus and instead heard the Gospel at an event such as Pentecost. However, it seems incredibly unlikely that as an adult Levite male he would not travel to Jerusalem at minimum for Passover. Too, many believe he was similarly educated by Gamaliel which would have frequently placed in in Jerusalem
Apollos – This theory was made popular by Martin Luthor. While it certainly aligns with what we know about his eloquent mode of speech, there isn’t really any other early indication that he might be the author. I do like the idea for the reason that (from what we know) he was a Jew living in Alexandria so he would have had the information about the sacrificial system and a command of the Greek language. Living elsewhere would also explain why he had not personally met Jesus (also he was a little bit younger than the group). Acts 18:24-28 states that he was taught about the way of the Lord but had not personally known Jesus.
Jude – there is no evidence for this, but there are a few similarities in the writing style. It is not a precise mirror, but some of the Greek syntax has overlap. However, Jude knew Jesus so again, he is an unlikely candidate
Luke – There is significant debate regarding if Luke was a Jew or a Gentile. He definitely worked in the same cycles as Paul and Timothy. He wrote Acts and there are moments like Stephen’s speech in Acts 7 that have similarities to the tone of Hebrews, but there is not any real evidence to support him as the author.

Audience:

Hebrew Christians in Jerusalem specifically. They were facing intense persecution. There had been persecution from Jews previously, but when Rome burned in 64 A.D. persecution from other factions increased dramatically. Everything in their circumstances were pushing them, not just out of their comfort zone, but into eventual martyrdom if things continued on that trajectory

Historical Context:

It is not an understatement to say that the entire Old Testament is the historical context of Hebrews. There is so much that is quoted and that the author implicitly assumes his audience will understand. It is like a constant refrain of inside knowledge. We can definitely begin to grasp the rich truths contained in the book, but we have to dig so much more for what the original audience would have just known. Still, please do not be intimidated by this – God will bless faithfulness and will grant insight.

More immediate historical context would start with an understanding that Jesus foretold the destruction of the Temple in Matthew 24:1-2 (and elsewhere).

Jesus’ death/resurrection – 30 A.D.> Persecution increased over the years > Paul’s missionary journeys > Nero became Caesar in 54 A.D. > Persecution increased > Rome Burned in 64 A.D. > Paul died between 64 A.D.- 68 A.D. > Jewish insurrection against Rome began in 66 A.D. Hebrews was written likely around 67-69 A.D.

The Jews rebelled in 66 A.D. and evicted the Roman garrison. Vespasian, a General at the time, soon began a campaign to bring them back under control. By 68 A.D. he had already re-conquered much of Israel. A faction of less rebellious Jews saw the proverbial writing on the wall and tried to talk the Zealots (who were ruling Jerusalem) into surrendering. However, the Zealots hung their bodies from the walls and refused to surrender. Nero committed suicide in 68 A.D. That plunged Rome into a period of confusion and what is now known as The Year of the Four Emperors. Galba immediately succeeded Nero followed by Otho (who murdered Galba). Otho only ruled for three months and then committed suicide when he was not victorious in fighting his successor, Vitellius, Vitellius was emperor for 8 months before Vespasian challenged for the throne. Vitellius was executed after Vespasian assumed the throne. Vespasian established the Flavian dynasty (which ruled for 27 years). Vespasian was the first emperor to pass the throne on to his son – which is quite a thought after the number of emperors between Julius Caesar and Vespasian.

In 69 A.D. Titus returned to finish what his father started and ultimately conquered Jerusalem in the fall of 70 A.D. His garrison destroyed the Temple, literally not leaving one stone upon the other. The wailing wall, which still stands, was part of the courtyard, but not the actual Temple, thus fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy. The Coliseum was at least partially funded by the spoils of Vespasian’s share in the destruction of the Temple. There is also a claim that 70,000 Jewish slaves were taken to Rome to build it. This latter claim cannot be historically substantiated, but it is a sobering thought. More than 1,000,000 Jews died according to Josephus and at least 100,000 were taken into captivity. However, no Christians died. They had already left – in large part, likely because of this book we are getting ready to study.

Themes:

Jesus is better than everything else – better than angels, offers a better salvation, a better rest, better than the Law, a better sacrifice, a better Priest, better inheritance, and a better hope to name a few

Common Errors:

1. Teaching/reading Hebrews as if it is a split audience of believers and non-believers

There are not breaks that invite this distinction – rather some people don’t do the hard work of reconciling seeming contradictions

Don’t be satisfied with the easy answers when it comes to Hebrews

2. Reading Hebrews without an adequate understanding of the Jewishness of the audience

So much of the New Testament is written to a mixed audience, but this book is written to a cohesive group of people that shared a background, cultural norms, an immersion in standardized religious teachings, a common language, etc.

So much in this book cannot be appreciated apart from the OT and Jewish perspective

Supplemental/Helpful Reading:

The Old Testament

Abraham’s life – Genesis 12 - 22

Moses’ life – Exodus

Sacrificial systems & the Tabernacle:

Tabernacle – Exodus 25-31 or 35 – 40

Sacrifices – Leviticus 1–7, 16

Chapter One

V. 1 – Long ago – 4,000+ year timespan at that point

Many times – 66 books of the OT, but that doesn’t account for everything that wasn’t written down. Can you imagine everything that Samuel or Elijah actually said? We get a few chapters of their life and ministry, but can you imagine all of those prophets and their teaching?

Many ways – Through prophecy, through donkeys, through angels, through judges, through judgments, through plague, through military victory/loss – so many formats. He was not limited by form. This also has the notion of him speaking in parcels or degrees of revelation. He consistently reveals more of himself in Scripture. The revelations of God are unending. There was consistency to his message because the theme is the same. However, the revelation of his plan, how he was going to accomplish it, and his nature do not stay the same. The baseline he revealed to Adam and Eve is built up on with what he revealed to Abraham, which was built up for David, which was built upon for prophets such as Malachi.

God spoke to our fathers – literally has the idea of to preach or tell forth (forefathers – also lends weight to the argument that the author was a Jew)

By the prophets – specifically addressing the revealed Word. The focus is on the fact that God spoke. God revealed his will and plans. God did not abandon their forefathers in the midst of trial and uncertainty and the generation facing persecution in Jerusalem will not be the first that he leaves without recourse.

V. 2 – In these last days – at the end of these last days – pointing to a new dispensation - recently (about a ~40-year period) he has spoken to us by his Son. A few important things, one, this God who was speaking has continued to speak. He has not changed. He has adjusted his method of delivery. He has kept the message consistent through the years, but it is the same God speaking. – he has stopped speaking prophetically (this lends weight to argument that certain aspects of prophetic gift have ceased). The revelation of Christ is the final one. Now, the New Testament was still being written so this isn’t saying that literally all we have is what Jesus audibly said. Rather, the phrase is, spoken to us “in” his Son. The focus is on the fact that Jesus was the final revelation. There is nothing new coming. The entirety of the NT, even the books that had not yet been written were about the exposition of this one revelation. Col. 1:15-20 – he is the pre-eminent one.

Whom he appointed – he established/decreed – he is the chosen one. He was the only one who qualified for the role. Sonship suggests heirship – his rightful inheritance – just to clarify, he already owns it all. However, in the end times, in Revelation, God gives Jesus the scroll (Revelation 5). He promised that he would give him the nations (Ps. 2:8)

Through whom he also created – 1 Cor. 8:6, Jn 1:3. The worlds – All things, ages/time, not just literally the “world.” I think it is interesting to think about the fact that the more difficult thing highlighted here is the notion of creating time. God exists outside of time, but he created time for us. He has no use for it. However, beyond this, it would have been so encouraging to these people who were struggling with persecution to know that the God who is sovereign over time knew what they were going through. They didn’t need a concordance to look this up, they would have understood what the author was saying. The very God who created, saw them in the moment they were living through. He saw their pain and uncertainty and he was still in charge. He was not surprised by their circumstances, and they were not alone. Most of us are not facing severe persecution or death, but regardless of the trials we encounter, he is still beside us and in us. He empowers us to live godly lives despite persecution. He gives us grace to love our enemies. He gifts us songs in the night. He does not abandon us and we can find tremendous rest and comfort in that truth.

So, the author starts by introducing the main character of the book. It also introduces this concept of ages/time periods. This is essential as we discuss the various periods and purposes, we are getting ready to study (i.e., Moses, the Law, Angels, prophets, etc.).

In two verses, the author has laid the foundation for everything else he is getting ready to argue for and shared a vitally important truth if we are to thrive in the midst of uncertainty and persecution.