Remission of Sins

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

We must first consider the context in which this verse is housed. Beginning in Hebrews 9:18, the sacred writer spoke of "the first testament," and he wrote, "Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood." Then, he continued to speak of the institution of the old covenant in the succeeding verses. 

In verse 20, he penned, "Saying, This is the blood of the testament [quoting Exodus 24:8]." Verse 22 tells us, "Almost all things are by THE LAW purged with blood; [the semicolon indicates a continuation] and without shedding of blood is no remission." This is clearly talking about the position of "blood" under "the law." 

Verse 22 alludes to the words of the Law recorded in Leviticus 17:11. Under the old covenant, there was the "shedding of blood." Hebrews 9:7 explains on that Day of Atonement, "Into the second [room of the Old Testament Tabernacle] went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood." This "blood" came from "the sin offering" (Exodus 30:10), which required an animal's blood to be shed. 
Contextually, Hebrews 9:22 is speaking of what occurred under "the law." It is not speaking of "the blood of Christ," spoken of earlier (Hebrews 9:14). Just as those under the old economy looked forward each year to the Day of Atonement, in like manner, those who embraced John's message looked forward in faith. They were instructed "that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus" (Acts 19:4). 

When they did that, they became "just men" (Hebrews 12:23). The adherents of John's message were justified by their faith. They were looking forward to that new day of atonement. Their "remission" was based on the blood to be shed and offered as an atonement. The distinction was the superiority of "the blood of Christ" (Hebrews 9:14), the atonement He provided, and the redemptive plan He instituted by the shedding of that "blood." This is another element of transition from the old covenant to the new covenant. (See the Q&A section of the February 2026 issue for more detail concerning the transition time.) They looked forward to the redemptive work, and we look back to it. 

When Christ shed His blood, it was first applied "for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament" (Hebrews 9:15). That included those who were baptized under John's ministry. (The February 2026 issue provides more detail and insight concerning the work and position of John the Baptist, or Baptizer.) When they believed, there was justification, but the "remission" did not truly occur until Christ shed His blood on the Cross and the New Testament atonement plan was implemented. 

Earl R. Borders

From the March 2026 issue of The Gospel Trumpeter