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Who is the author of Hebrews?

Who is the author of Hebrews?
Redemption The Bible Books of the Bible

TL;DR:

The Bible doesn’t tell us who wrote Hebrews, and centuries of debate haven’t produced a conclusive answer. But whoever the human author was, the message is clear: Jesus is the greater High Priest and the once-for-all sacrifice for sin.

what does the bible say?

Because Hebrews’ author didn’t record his name, there’s no definitive proof of authorship—one can only guess. Paul is often asserted as the early church’s candidate, but historical evidence is mixed. It wasn’t until Jerome and Augustine, both living in the fourth and fifth centuries, that Paul was widely accepted as the author. The Reformation in the sixteenth century pushed back against Paul, largely based on Hebrews 2:3, which suggests Hebrews was taught by an apostle, not an apostle himself. Luther suggested Apollos because Hebrews matched his eloquence and roots. Calvin proposed Luke. Current scholarship remains mixed between Paul and Luke. The case for Paul is largely historical, while arguments against him are strong but inconclusive: Paul names himself in his writings, and his Greek differs significantly from Hebrews’ author. An argument for Luke is that his writings have more in common with Hebrews. However, Hebrews’ author appears to have been a Jew writing to Jews (e.g., Hebrews 1:1), but Luke was a Gentile (Colossians 4:11–14). Because of this, some believe Hebrews was a sermon Paul delivered, and Luke recorded. As with other suggestions, there is no proof. It’s okay to hold a conviction on this point, but we must do so humbly. Many Christians before us have tried to answer this question, yet it remains debated. Regardless of who wrote it, we must hold to Hebrews’ main point: Jesus is the greater and only sacrifice for sins.

from the old testament

  • The book of Hebrews is not found in the Old Testament.

from the new testament

  • Not until the fifth century, and because of the influential Jerome and Augustine, did the Christian community accept Paul as the author of Hebrews. Before then, many thought it was Paul, but early Christians also believed someone else might have written it. For example, another major early church figure, Tertullian (c. 155–220 AD), argued against Paul, suggesting Barnabas since he was a Levite (Acts 4:36), based on Hebrews having a heavy Levitical background.
  • However, Hebrews 2:3 led men in the Reformation to rethink that assumption. That verse reads, “[the message declared by angels] was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard.” “Attested to us by those who heard” implies that the author of Hebrews saw himself as a recipient of apostolic teaching, not an Apostle himself. Based on that verse, major Reformers such as Luther and Calvin rejected Paul as Hebrews’ author.
  • Luther proposed Apollos because he was an eloquent speaker and of Alexandrian roots (cf. Acts 18:24–28), arguing that Hebrews had an “Alexandrian feel.” Indeed, Hebrews’ Greek is unlike much of the New Testament Greek, being both stylistically rich and rhetorically strong.
  • Calvin instead proposed that Luke, being influenced by Paul and a regular companion (e.g., Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11), explains why parts feel a little Pauline. Additionally, Luke’s background as a doctor (Colossians 4:14) may explain medical words in Hebrews (e.g., Hebrews 12:12–13).
  • Since then, other men (and women) have been proposed, but Paul and Luke remain the two major contenders.
  • Arguments for Paul mainly appeal to the historical view of authorship, suggesting that those closer to the first century knew he wrote it. However, counterarguments point out that Paul gave his name in every other book he wrote, making it odd that he didn’t in Hebrews if he wrote it, and that the Greek is stylistically very different from Paul’s usual writings. On that last counterargument, people write in different styles at different times, and Paul may have used a different, more rhetorical approach in Hebrews than in his other writings. Some have also pointed out that this may signal that Paul was preaching, with the rhetorical style indicating a sermon.
  • Arguments for Luke hinge heavily on the broader stylistic connections between his Greek and his other writings, and on the previously mentioned medical terminology. The counterargument is that the similarities with Luke’s writings should not be overemphasized, as significant differences remain. Being “more similar” than Paul’s Greek doesn’t mean it’s “the same style.” Additionally, language in Hebrews, such as “our fathers” (Hebrews 1:1), implies a Jewish writer, whereas Luke was a Gentile (Colossians 4:11–14). However, some see clear Lukan influences (e.g., Hebrews 2:3–4 compared with Luke 1:1–4), suggesting that if he didn’t write it, he may have influenced it, perhaps by recording a sermon Paul gave.

implications for today

When asked who wrote Hebrews, Christians commonly reply, “God did.”

While simplistic, as God didn’t physically write it—with all books, His Spirit moved human authors as they wrote (2 Peter 1:21)—there’s real truth behind it because all Scripture is “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16a). It’s inspired such that everything in it is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16b–17).

Regardless of who wrote Hebrews, within it is the single most profound explanation of why Jesus is better than the Old Testament sacrificial system. That system was only a shadow (Hebrews 10:1) because the blood of animals could not save anyone (Hebrews 10:4); otherwise, they wouldn’t have been repeated year after year (Hebrews 10:1–3). Instead, they pointed toward the greater, once-for-all sacrifice, Jesus (Hebrews 10:9–10).

Though eternally God, to save us He had to become like us (Hebrews 2:17), yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Unlike the Old Testament High Priests who made sacrifices for their own sin before entering the holy place (Hebrews 7:27), Jesus had no sin and was thus able to make purification for the sins of others (Hebrews 1:3). Also, unlike the High Priests who could only enter once a year by the blood of a sacrifice (Hebrews 9:7), Jesus entered through His own blood and sat down (Hebrews 10:11–12). Jesus remains in heaven now, interceding for believers (Hebrews 7:25), as their eternal High Priest (Hebrews 7:23–24).

Salvation is only through Jesus because only Jesus’ death could save. The author of Hebrews warned Jews in his day that abandoning Jesus and returning to the old sacrificial system would condemn them (Hebrews 10:26–29).

What about you? Are you relying on your works or on Jesus? If on works, repent now while there’s still time (Hebrews 3:7–8)!

understand

  • Hebrews doesn't name its author, and both historical and internal evidence leave the question genuinely unresolved.
  • Paul and Luke remain the two most discussed candidates, with the case for each resting on multiple pieces of evidence that are suggestive but not conclusive.
  • The author's identity is less important than Hebrews’ message about Jesus.

reflect

  • How does uncertainty about Hebrews’ human author challenge you to trust God’s Word even when you don’t have all the answers?
  • How can you keep your focus on what Hebrews clearly teaches about Jesus, rather than getting caught up in questions Scripture leaves unanswered?
  • How does knowing that Jesus is the greater High Priest and once-for-all sacrifice shape the way you approach God and think about your salvation?

engage

  • Why might God have left the human author of Hebrews anonymous, and what does that reveal about Scripture's purpose?
  • How should Christians respond when they hold different convictions about questions the Bible does not clearly settle?
  • What does Hebrews’ emphasis on Jesus as the greater High Priest and once-for-all sacrifice reveal about what should matter most when studying Scripture?

More Resources

Books of the Bible Survey of the Book of Hebrews

Survey of the Book of Hebrews

The Book of Hebrews proclaims Jesus as superior to the old covenant, fulfilling every Old Testament promise. It encourages believers to stand firm in faith and to confidently approach God through the unshakable new covenant Christ secured by His once-for-all-sacrifice.
Studying the Bible Were there different authors of the books of the Bible? Who were the authors?

Were there different authors of the books of the Bible? Who were the authors?

God directed numerous human authors to pen words of His choosing. The words and message of Scripture ultimately come from God.
Relationships What does the Bible teach about authority?

What does the Bible teach about authority?

All authority comes from God, who is above all things. We are to submit to authority, trusting that God is in control and that authority is for our good.
Apologetics Did the authors of the New Testament view their writing as inspired Scripture?

Did the authors of the New Testament view their writing as inspired Scripture?

Yes, the authors of the New Testament viewed their writings as inspired Scripture, divinely influenced by God. Paul and Peter, among others, recognized their messages as God's commands, affirming their writings as part of sacred Scripture.