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| | The [[Epistle to the Hebrews (Translated)|Epistle to the Hebrews]] is at the highest intellectual level, and yet its authorship is a complete mystery. Not even modern, sophisticated analysis of authorship can suggest a plausible writer for this great work. Whoever wrote this apparently wrote virtually nothing else. Scholars agree that Paul certainly did not write this. | | The [[Epistle to the Hebrews (Translated)|Epistle to the Hebrews]] is at the highest intellectual level, and yet its authorship is a complete mystery. Not even modern, sophisticated analysis of authorship can suggest a plausible writer for this great work. Whoever wrote this apparently wrote virtually nothing else. Scholars agree that Paul certainly did not write this. |
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| − | It was written after the [[Passion of Christ]], as made clear by its references in the past tense to Jesus's work. | + | It was written after the [[Passion of Christ]], as made clear by its references in the past tense to Jesus's work, yet before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. |
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| | In contrast with all other epistles and letters in the [[New Testament]], it is misnomer to call this the "Epistle" to the Hebrews. It is not a letter; there is no introduction, and it reads like a sermon rather than a letter. | | In contrast with all other epistles and letters in the [[New Testament]], it is misnomer to call this the "Epistle" to the Hebrews. It is not a letter; there is no introduction, and it reads like a sermon rather than a letter. |
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| | Reasons to think so include: | | Reasons to think so include: |
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| | + | *this sermon appears identical to the sermon given by Jesus on the road to Emmaus, referring to Jesus in the third person. Given that Jesus said this sermon for two travelers, it makes sense that He would write his sermon down for the benefit of all. |
| | *by describing Hebrew culture in perfect Greek, this has Jesus' trademark intellectual style of overcoming ostensibly insurmountable barriers, analogous to His walking on water and turning water into wine. | | *by describing Hebrew culture in perfect Greek, this has Jesus' trademark intellectual style of overcoming ostensibly insurmountable barriers, analogous to His walking on water and turning water into wine. |
| | *the tone of authority is greater than in any other letter in the Bible, as in Hebrews 9:27: "It is reserved for men to die once, and then be judged." | | *the tone of authority is greater than in any other letter in the Bible, as in Hebrews 9:27: "It is reserved for men to die once, and then be judged." |