The Background of the Book of Hebrews

The Book of Hebrews (Greek: ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ) is the 19th book of the New Testament, a letter written to Jewish Christians. It presents more difficult questions than any other book in the New Testament, and many of these questions have no satisfactory answers. For example, who was the author? Who were the original recipients? When was it written? The letter is also considered profound and complex for readers unfamiliar with the Old Testament, as it frequently references the Jewish priesthood and ceremonial system.

The earliest surviving manuscripts of this letter all bear the title “To the Hebrews.” It was likely written between 65–70 AD to a group of Jewish believers in the Roman church (Hebrews 13:24). At the time, Timothy had just been released from prison (Hebrews 13:23), but the Temple had not yet been destroyed. In 67 AD, Emperor Nero of Rome scapegoated Christians for the Great Fire of Rome, persecuting them, confiscating their property, and subjecting them to brutal executions. Faced with this persecution, Gentile Christians had no alternative, but Jewish believers could choose to return to the synagogue and join Judaism, which was a legally recognized religion by the government. The author understood the persecution and pressure the Jewish believers were enduring. Therefore, he used the Old Testament law to argue that Christ had fulfilled the law and that these old systems were now superseded by the more glorious Christ.

The churches in the Western Roman Empire quoted the Book of Hebrews less frequently. Clement of Rome, in his First Epistle written around 95 AD, quoted from Hebrews but did not mention the author. Afterward, the Western church rarely cited Hebrews. Augustine initially believed Paul was the author but later concluded the author was unknown.

The churches in the Eastern Roman Empire quoted Hebrews more often. Clement of Alexandria (150–215 AD) believed that Paul was the author. In the Chester Beatty Papyrus of Paul’s letters, dated around 200 AD, Hebrews is included and placed after Romans. Martin Luther (1483–1546) believed that Apollos was a more likely author. Others have speculated that the author was Priscilla, Philip, Peter, or Silas.

The letter’s theological thought is very similar to the Apostle Paul’s, showing a mastery of Jewish rabbinic methods of interpretation, but the writing style is different, with very elegant Greek. Despite the unknown authorship, the book was eventually accepted into the canon by the churches, which testifies to the power of the Holy Spirit within the letter itself. The true author is the Holy Spirit.