Hebrews 13:11-13
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What's easy to miss is that these sin offerings, whose blood went into the sacred space for atonement, were the only sacrifices whose bodies were completely destroyed outside the camp. This stark contrast highlights that while Christ's sacrifice was for sin and entered heaven, its execution outside the city meant those still clinging to the old system couldn't partake in its benefits.
For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is drawing a contrast between the Jewish sacrificial system and Christ's sacrifice. In the Old Testament, animals offered as sin sacrifices, especially those whose blood was brought into the Most Holy Place by the high priest on the Day of Atonement, had their bodies burned outside the Israelite camp. This meant that neither the priests nor the people could eat any part of these particular sin offerings.
Ever wonder why some sacrifices under the Old Covenant were completely destroyed, never to be eaten?
The verse highlights a specific aspect of Old Testament sin offerings: the bodies of the animals whose blood was taken into the most holy place for atonement were burned outside the camp. This wasn't for any part of the sacrifice to be consumed by the people or priests.
The Old Testament rituals were shadows pointing to something greater. What does the 'outside the camp' burning reveal about Jesus?
The burning of the sin-offering animals outside the camp in the Old Testament directly parallels the unique suffering of Jesus Christ.
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If Jesus suffered outside the camp, where are we called to follow Him?
The imagery of the Old Testament sin offerings being burned outside the camp serves as a powerful call for believers to leave behind the old system of religious observance and follow Christ.
Understand the original words
thysia · Greek Noun
A slaughtered animal or object offered to God to make atonement for sin, appease divine wrath, or express devotion. In the Old Testament, these were shadows of the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.
hagiazō · Greek Verb
The state of being set apart for God's use or declared holy; the process by which a person is made clean, consecrated, or purified from the defilement of sin through the work of Christ.
haima · Greek Noun
The life-force of an animal or person, given as the penalty for sin; in the New Testament, it refers specifically to the atoning death of Jesus Christ which provides forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
oneidismos · Greek Noun
The state of being dishonored, shamed, or insulted; often used in the New Testament to describe the suffering and social rejection faced by believers because of their identification with Christ.
The practice of burning the bodies of sin offerings outside the camp, as detailed in Leviticus, was a significant ritual within the Old Testament sacrificial system. This ancient practice serves as a powerful type pointing to Christ's suffering and exclusion from the city, reinforcing the author's argument that His sacrifice is superior and necessitates leaving behind the old covenant rituals.
c. 1400 BC
Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings
The Israelites, guided by God, journeyed through the Sinai wilderness after their liberation from Egypt. During this time, the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary, was established as the central place of worship.
c. 1400 BC
Mosaic Law Established
God gave the Law to Moses, including detailed instructions for sacrifices and rituals performed at the Tabernacle, such as the sin offerings described in Leviticus.
c. 960 BC
Solomon's Temple Completed
The First Temple in Jerusalem was built by King Solomon, replacing the Tabernacle as the permanent central sanctuary for Israelite worship. Many of the sacrificial laws continued to be observed.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians conquered Jerusalem and destroyed Solomon's Temple. This event marked the end of the Judean monarchy and the beginning of the Babylonian exile for many Israelites.
c. 516 BC
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
Following their return from Babylonian exile, the Jewish people rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem. Sacrificial worship was re-established, though it differed in some ways from the First Temple period.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Jesus, identified by Christians as the ultimate sacrifice for sin, was crucified outside the city walls of Jerusalem. This event is seen as fulfilling the Old Testament sacrificial system.
c. AD 70
Destruction of the Second Temple
The Roman army destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Temple, ending the Jewish sacrificial system as it had been practiced for centuries. This event further highlighted the transition to a new covenant and form of worship.
This passage directly describes the Old Testament ritual where the bodies of the sin offerings, after their blood was brought into the sanctuary, were burned outside the camp, just as Hebrews 13:11 states. It provides the direct scriptural basis for the author's point about exclusion from the sacrifice.
Hebrews 9:11-12This passage explains that Christ, as our High Priest, entered a sanctuary not made by human hands, and through his own blood, obtained eternal redemption. It connects the earthly sanctuary and blood of animals in Hebrews 13:11 to Christ's superior, heavenly sacrifice.
John 19:17-20This passage recounts Jesus' crucifixion 'outside the gate' of Jerusalem, mirroring the location where the sin offerings were burned outside the camp. It highlights Jesus' suffering as a sacrifice for sin, aligning with the symbolism in Hebrews 13:11.
Hebrews 10:10-14This passage contrasts Christ's one-time sacrifice for sins with the repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant. It emphasizes that Christ, after offering himself, sat down at the right hand of God, signifying the completion of his atoning work, which is further illustrated by the burnt sin offerings that could not be eaten.
wesleyHebrews 13:11: "For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp."
13:11 For - According to their own law, the sin - offerings were wholly consumed, and no Jew ever ate thereof. But Christ was a sin - offering. Therefore they cannot feed upon him, as we do, who are freed from the Mosaic law.
barnesHebrews 13:11: "For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp."
For the bodies of those beasts ... - The word rendered here "for" - γὰρ gar - would be here more properly rendered "moreover." Stuart. The apostle is not urging a reason for what he had said in the previous verse, but is suggesting a new consideration to excite those whom he addressed to fidelity and perseverance. In the previous verse the conside…
What's easy to miss is that these sin offerings, whose blood went into the sacred space for atonement, were the only sacrifices whose bodies were completely destroyed outside the camp. This stark contrast highlights that while Christ's sacrifice was for sin and entered heaven, its execution outside the city meant those still clinging to the old system couldn't partake in its benefits.
The author is drawing a contrast between the Jewish sacrificial system and Christ's sacrifice. In the Old Testament, animals offered as sin sacrifices, especially those whose blood was brought into the Most Holy Place by the high priest on the Day of Atonement, had their bodies burned outside the Israelite camp. This meant that neither the priests nor the people could eat any part of these particular sin offerings.
The author is drawing a contrast between the Jewish sacrificial system and Christ's sacrifice. In the Old Testament, animals offered as sin sacrifices, especially those whose blood was brought into the Most Holy Place by the high priest on the Day of Atonement, had their bodies burned outside the Israelite camp. This meant that neither the priests nor the people could eat any part of these particular sin offerings.
"For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own bloo…" — What's easy to miss is that these sin offerings, whose blood went into the sacred space for atonement, were the only sacrifices whose bodies were completely destroyed outside the camp. This stark…
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Last reviewed October 2026
