Hebrews 9:15 Meaning: Christ Mediates a New Covenant by His Death
For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, that those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
And for this cause he is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
And because of this, of a new covenant he is mediator, that, death having come, for redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, those called may receive the promise of the age-during inheritance,
And for this reason he is mediator of a new covenant, so that, death having taken place for redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, the called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Meaning in one sentence
Understand how Christ's death as mediator redeems sins under the old covenant and grants eternal inheritance to those called by God.
Context
The writer of Hebrews has been showing how the old covenant with its animal sacrifices could never fully take away sin. In chapter 9, he describes Christ entering the heavenly sanctuary with His own blood to obtain eternal redemption. This verse sits at the heart of that argument. The author is explaining why Jesus had to die: His death is what makes the new covenant effective. The old covenant ran from Moses until Christ, and its sacrifices covered sin only in a temporary, outward way. But Christ's death deals with the actual guilt and penalty of every transgression committed under that first covenant. Because He died, those whom God has called can finally receive what was always promised them, not just forgiveness, but an eternal inheritance.
Key Words
The word mediator (Greek mesitēs) describes someone who stands between two parties to bring them together. Here it goes beyond a peacemaker; Christ ratifies the new covenant by His own blood. He does not merely arrange a deal, He becomes the guarantee that God’s promises will be kept.
Redemption (Greek apolutrōsis) means a releasing that comes through payment. In the ancient world, you would pay a ransom to free a prisoner or a slave. Christ’s death is that payment. It secures release from the guilt of every transgression, even those committed before He came.
Eternal inheritance pairs two words rich with hope. Inheritance (Greek klēronomia) is what a family passes on to its children. Eternal (Greek aiōnios) means without end. Together they promise something that cannot be lost, worn out, or taken away. This inheritance is not earned but received, like a child opening a gift already paid for.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions agree that this verse shows Christ’s death reaching backward in time to cover sins under the old covenant. Reformed commentators like Calvin and Gill emphasize that the old covenant believers were saved by faith in the coming Redeemer, and His death actually accomplished the redemption they trusted in. Wesleyan commentators such as Clarke and Wesley stress that Christ’s death is the basis for all forgiveness, past and future, and that the new covenant brings a better inheritance. Anglican interpreters like the Cambridge Bible note that Moses was a mediator of the old covenant, but Christ’s mediation involves a far superior sacrifice that makes the new covenant radically different. Some traditions debate whether the Greek word diathēkē should be translated “covenant” or “testament,” but all affirm that Christ’s death is the necessary foundation for the new relationship between God and His people.
A common misunderstanding
Some think this verse means that no one was saved before Christ died, that Old Testament believers remained unforgiven until the cross. In fact, the verse says Christ died for the redemption of transgressions under the first covenant. That means His death reaches backward to cover those sins. Old Testament saints were saved by faith in God’s promised deliverer, the same way we are. Christ’s death did not create a new possibility of forgiveness; it accomplished what the earlier sacrifices only pointed toward.
Living This Out
You carry a list of sins that still bother you: things you did years ago, words you cannot take back, failures that seem to define you. This verse says Christ died to redeem those specific transgressions. They are not lingering debts. They have been paid for by His death. This week, when guilt tries to convince you that you are beyond hope, remind yourself that Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant. His death covers your oldest sin and secures your eternal inheritance. You do not need to make amends first. It is already finished. Rest in that.
Main takeaway: Christ’s death as mediator redeems every sin and secures the eternal inheritance for all who are called by God.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jesus died on the cross so that every wrong thing we have ever done could be forgiven. He is like a friend who makes peace between us and God. Because He did this, we get to live with God forever.
For ages 9, 12
In the old covenant, people sacrificed animals to cover their sins, but those sacrifices had to be repeated. Jesus came as the mediator of a new covenant. He died once and for all to fully forgive every sin, even the ones people committed before He was born. That’s how strong His sacrifice is. His death paid the price to free us from guilt, and it guarantees us an inheritance in heaven that will never fade away. You can be completely sure that your sins are forgiven because Jesus already took care of them.
Questions People Ask
What does it mean that Christ is the mediator of a new covenant?
A mediator is someone who stands between two parties to bring them together. In the old covenant, Moses acted as mediator between God and Israel. But Christ is the mediator of a new covenant because He Himself ratifies it by His death. He does not just deliver the terms; He makes the covenant effective by offering His own blood as the sacrifice that secures forgiveness for all who are called.
How does Christ's death redeem transgressions that were under the first covenant?
The first covenant refers to the entire period from Moses to Christ, including the sacrifices and laws. Those animal sacrifices could not fully remove sin, only cover it temporarily. Christ's death pays the full penalty for those sins retroactively. His sacrifice is so powerful that it reaches backward in time to cleanse the guilt of everyone who trusted in God before the cross.
Who are 'those who have been called' in this verse?
The phrase points to everyone whom God invites into this new covenant relationship. In Hebrews, the 'called' are those who respond in faith to God's invitation through Christ. It includes believers from both the old and new covenants, because God's call goes out through His Word and Spirit, and those who receive it become heirs of the eternal inheritance.
What is the eternal inheritance promised here?
The 'eternal inheritance' is everything God promises His children: forgiveness of sins, adoption into His family, life with Him forever, a resurrected body, and a place in His kingdom. It is an inheritance because it is not earned but given as a gift through Christ. It is eternal because it can never be taken away or lost.
Why do some translations use 'testament' instead of 'covenant'?
The Greek word diathēkē can mean either covenant or testament (will). In Hebrews 9, the author plays on both meanings. As a covenant, it is an agreement between God and His people. As a testament, it implies that the one who makes it must die, and the inheritance passes to the heirs. So 'testament' highlights the necessity of Christ's death to activate the inheritance.
For pastors & researchers
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