But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Ephesians 2:13
What does Ephesians 2:13 mean?
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Ephesians 2:13
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The phrase "in the blood of Christ" isn't just about what his blood accomplished (atonement, cleansing), but signifies a profound union with that sacrifice, making us participants in its power to bring us near to God. It's not merely a transaction from afar, but an intimate connection established through Christ's sacrificial death.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is contrasting the Gentiles' former state of being alienated from God with their new reality in Christ. Before, they were "without Christ," separated from God and His promises, living in spiritual death. But now, through Christ's sacrificial death, they have been brought into an intimate relationship with God.
The message of Ephesians 2 is a dramatic one, moving from death and separation to life and inclusion. Notice how the apostle emphasizes a crucial shift in identity and connection.
In the verses leading up to Ephesians 2:13, Paul describes the Gentile believers as once being 'far off,' 'separate from Christ,' 'alienated from the commonwealth of Israel,' and 'strangers to the covenants of promise.' This was a state of spiritual distance and exclusion.
But then comes the powerful 'But now...' of verse 13. The key phrase here is 'in Christ Jesus.' This isn't just a geographical or positional change; it signifies a profound, transformative union. It means to be indwelt by, united with, and living in relationship with Jesus. It's the complete reversal of being 'without Christ' to being intrinsically part of Him.
The verse speaks of being 'brought near' not by our own efforts, but by a specific, powerful means. What is it, and why is it so crucial?
The verse pinpoints the 'blood of Christ' as the means by which this incredible nearness is achieved. In the Old Testament, blood was central to sacrificial atonement and purification, enabling approach to a holy God (Hebrews 9:22). The shedding of Christ's blood, as the ultimate sacrifice, pays the price for sin and bridges the infinite gap between a holy God and sinful humanity.
This 'blood of the covenant' (as it's called elsewhere) tears down the dividing wall of hostility and makes reconciliation possible. It's not just a symbolic act; it's the costly, tangible demonstration of God's love and justice, providing the foundation for forgiveness, cleansing, and intimate access to God.
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The shift described in Ephesians 2:13 isn't just about joining a group; it's about a radical change in relationship. What was lost and what has been gained?
The terms 'far off' and 'near' in this context refer to the spiritual state of humanity in relation to God and His people. 'Far off' meant alienation from God's favor, fellowship, and promises. It meant being outside the covenant community of Israel, with no recognized access to divine blessings.
'Brought near' signifies the opposite: intimate access to God, inclusion in His family, and participation in the blessings of His covenant. It's a move from spiritual exile to spiritual citizenship. This nearness isn't just about proximity; it's about a restored relationship, characterized by peace, reconciliation, and the privilege of calling God 'Father.'
Understand the original words
haima · Greek Noun
The death of Jesus Christ on the cross, which serves as the propitiatory sacrifice to satisfy God’s justice and purchase the redemption of His people.
This verse speaks directly to the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice, bridging the historical and religious gap between Jews, who saw themselves as 'near' to God through the covenant, and Gentiles, who were historically 'far off'. The 'blood of Christ' becomes the means by which this profound reconciliation and inclusion occur.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians conquer Judah, destroy the Temple in Jerusalem, and exile a significant portion of the population. This event marks a profound sense of 'being far off' from God and His promises for the Jewish people.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile and Temple Reconstruction
Cyrus the Great allows the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This period sees a re-establishment of Jewish identity and worship, though many remained 'far off' in various regions.
c. 2nd Century BC - 1st Century BC
Hellenistic Period and Jewish Diaspora
The Jewish people are scattered across the Roman Empire and beyond. While some maintain their religious distinctiveness, many in the diaspora feel culturally and religiously distant from Jerusalem and the covenant life.
c. 30-33 AD— this verse
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Jesus is crucified and rises from the dead. His sacrificial death is understood as the ultimate atonement, fulfilling the sacrificial system and making reconciliation possible.
c. 40-50 AD
Early Church Expansion and Gentile Inclusion Debates
The gospel spreads rapidly, leading to the inclusion of many non-Jews (Gentiles) into the Christian movement. Debates arise about whether these new believers must adopt Jewish customs like circumcision.
c. 60-62 AD
Paul's Imprisonment and Writing of Ephesians
The Apostle Paul, while imprisoned, writes Ephesians to the church in Ephesus. He addresses the profound unity and new identity that Jews and Gentiles share in Christ.
This verse speaks of bringing 'peace to the far off and to the near,' echoing the theme of reconciliation and access to God that Ephesians 2:13 highlights.
Exodus 24:8This passage describes the blood of the covenant being sprinkled to establish a relationship with God, paralleling how Christ's blood in Ephesians 2:13 brings believers near.
Matthew 26:28Jesus Himself speaks of His blood being shed for the new covenant for the forgiveness of sins, which is the very basis for the nearness described in Ephesians 2:13.
Romans 5:9This verse directly states that believers have been justified by Christ's blood and will be saved from wrath through Him, reinforcing the salvific work of Christ's blood mentioned in Ephesians 2:13.
Colossians 1:20This passage teaches that through Christ's death, God made peace and reconciled all things to Himself, providing a broader cosmic perspective on the reconciliation that brings believers near.
cambridgeEphesians 2:13: "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
13 . but now ] under the changed conditions of actual and accepted Redemption. in Christ Jesus ] In living union with the true Messiah. Just before, Ephesians 2:12 , we have “without Christ ” merely; here, “in Christ Jesus .” The Messiah of Prophecy is now known as also the Jesus of the Gospel. sometimes ] Once , as R. V. The A. V. uses a word now antiquated in this sense, or appearing…
vincentEphesians 2:13: "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
Now in Christ JesusNow, in contrast with at that time. In Christ Jesus, in contrast with alienated from, etc. Jesus is added because the Christ who was the subject of promise, the Messiah, has come into the world under that personal name. The phrase includes the promised Messiah and the actual Savior.
The phrase "in the blood of Christ" isn't just about what his blood accomplished (atonement, cleansing), but signifies a profound union with that sacrifice, making us participants in its power to bring us near to God. It's not merely a transaction from afar, but an intimate connection established through Christ's sacrificial death.
Paul is contrasting the Gentiles' former state of being alienated from God with their new reality in Christ. Before, they were "without Christ," separated from God and His promises, living in spiritual death. But now, through Christ's sacrificial death, they have been brought into an intimate relationship with God.
Paul is contrasting the Gentiles' former state of being alienated from God with their new reality in Christ. Before, they were "without Christ," separated from God and His promises, living in spiritual death. But now, through Christ's sacrificial death, they have been brought into an intimate relationship with God.
"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." — The phrase "in the blood of Christ" isn't just about what his blood accomplished (atonement, cleansing), but signifies a profound union with that sacrifice, making us participants in its power to…
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Last reviewed October 2026