Heb 12:18-24 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Heb 12:18-24: 12:18-24 This passage contrasts the old covenant with the new. The old covenant, represented by Mount Sinai (12:18-21 ), is depicted as impersonal, intimidating, and unapproachable; it booms, flashes, and terrifies. The new covenant, represented by Mount Zion (12:22-24 ), is depicted as relational, welcoming, and celebratory. 12:18 The descriptions of Mount Sinai come directly from God’s encounter with Israel at that mountain (see Exod 19:16-22 ; 20:18-21 ; Deut 4:11-12 ; 5:23-27 ). The images communicate separation from a holy God.

Summary for Heb 12:18-24: 12:18-24 ^a This passage contrasts the old covenant with the new. The old covenant, represented by Mount Sinai (12:18-21 ^b), is depicted as impersonal, intimidating, and unapproachable; it booms, flashes, and terrifies. The new covenant, represented by Mount Zion (12:22-24 ^c), is depicted as relational, welcoming, and celebratory. 12:18 ^d The descriptions of Mount Sinai come directly from God’s encounter with Israel at that mountain (see Exod 19:16-22 ^e; 20:18-21 ^f; Deut 4:11-12 ^g; 5:23-27 ^h). The images communicate separation from a holy God.
12:19 ⁱ The awesome trumpet blast and a voice terrified the people (see Exod 19:16 ^j, 19 ^k; 20:18 ^l; Deut 4:12 ^m) so that they begged God to stop speaking (Exod 20:19 ⁿ).
12:22 ^o No: There is a strong contrast between the old and the new covenant. Believers have now come to wonderful Mount Zion, which is closely associated with Jerusalem and represents God’s dwelling place.

• heavenly Jerusalem: See study note on 8:5.

• The new covenant constitutes a relationship with God by which we experience his presence with joy, peace, and fellowship.
12:23 ^p The word translated assembly is usually translated “church”; it speaks of God’s assembled people.

• God’s firstborn children refers to people who are members of the new covenant (cp. 1:6 ^q; 2:10-13 ^r).

• The concept that God’s people have their names . . . written in heaven speaks of God’s special attention to his people (see also Exod 32:32 ^s; Ps 69:28 ^t; Isa 4:3 ^u; Dan 12:1 ^v; Luke 10:20 ^w; Phil 4:3 ^x; Rev 3:5 ^y).

• For God’s children, God as judge is the vindicator of his people (cp. Pss 9:8 ^z; 58:11 ^aa; 94:2 ^ab; Isa 11:4 ^ac; Jer 22:16 ^ad).

• Those who have already died have now been made perfect by the sacrifice of Christ (Heb 10:14 ^ae).
12:24 ^af Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant (8:7-13 ^ag; 9:11-14 ^ah; 10:15-18 ^ai). His sprinkled blood, used as the sacrifice for sins, speaks of forgiveness.

• The blood of Abel cried out to God from the ground, demanding vengeance for his murder by Cain (Gen 4:10 ^aj). By contrast, Jesus’ blood cries out that the price for sins has been paid for those in the new covenant (Heb 10:16-18 ^ak).