The Meaning of Jesus' Death: The Letter to the Hebrews and Luke's Gospel Compared

Abstract

In this contribution some resemblances and differences (regarding Jesus' death) that exist between the Lucan writings and the letter to the Hebrews are noted and interpreted within the historical contexts of the authors and their addressees. Hebrews has a multiple view on the meaning of Jesus' death, with the main emphasis on its vicarious nature as a sacrificial death. Luke on the other hand does not emphasise the expiatory character of Jesus' death but interprets it as 'a humble service to his followers'. It is concluded that recognising the existence of different interpretations of Jesus' death in early Christianity, needs not jeopardise, but can contribute to unity and tolerance amongst (post-)modern Christians.