| | '''Written very early''': This Epistle was written before any persecution of the disciples, because there is a reference to their lack of their physical suffering<ref>Compare [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A32-34&version=RSV Hebrews 10:32-34] and [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13%3A3&version=RSV 13:3] which testifies to their sufferings and physical abuse (Strong's numbers ''3804'' and ''2347'' and ''2558'': KJV "afflictions" ''hardship'' or ''pain'', and "afflictions" ''pressure, anguish, burden, persecution, tribulation'', and "adversity" ''maltreat, torment'').</ref> yet, making it likely the Epistle was written prior to the [[Ascension]]. See [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%2012:1-11&version=KJV Hebrews 12:1-11], in particular [http://biblehub.com/multi/hebrews/12-4.htm verse 4]. Luke's Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, particularly its chapter 7, apparently benefited from having a copy of this Epistle because Luke imitated it in several ways.<ref>"Lukan Authorship of Hebrews," by David Lewis Allen, pp. 143-50, which describes the parallels between Acts 7 and Hebrews 11.</ref> This Epistle was written before institution of the Eucharist and before the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in A.D. 70.<ref>http://www.mycrandall.ca/courses/ntintro/Heb.htm</ref> This Epistle was also known to Clement, a very early pope, as confirmed by 1 Clement (17:1, 36:2-5), which is typically dated as having been written sometime between A.D. 95 and 120.<ref>Theopedia says that Clement cited the Epistle to the Hebrews in A.D. 96. [http://www.theopedia.com/epistle-to-the-hebrews]</ref> | | '''Written very early''': This Epistle was written before any persecution of the disciples, because there is a reference to their lack of their physical suffering<ref>Compare [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A32-34&version=RSV Hebrews 10:32-34] and [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13%3A3&version=RSV 13:3] which testifies to their sufferings and physical abuse (Strong's numbers ''3804'' and ''2347'' and ''2558'': KJV "afflictions" ''hardship'' or ''pain'', and "afflictions" ''pressure, anguish, burden, persecution, tribulation'', and "adversity" ''maltreat, torment'').</ref> yet, making it likely the Epistle was written prior to the [[Ascension]]. See [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%2012:1-11&version=KJV Hebrews 12:1-11], in particular [http://biblehub.com/multi/hebrews/12-4.htm verse 4]. Luke's Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, particularly its chapter 7, apparently benefited from having a copy of this Epistle because Luke imitated it in several ways.<ref>"Lukan Authorship of Hebrews," by David Lewis Allen, pp. 143-50, which describes the parallels between Acts 7 and Hebrews 11.</ref> This Epistle was written before institution of the Eucharist and before the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in A.D. 70.<ref>http://www.mycrandall.ca/courses/ntintro/Heb.htm</ref> This Epistle was also known to Clement, a very early pope, as confirmed by 1 Clement (17:1, 36:2-5), which is typically dated as having been written sometime between A.D. 95 and 120.<ref>Theopedia says that Clement cited the Epistle to the Hebrews in A.D. 96. [http://www.theopedia.com/epistle-to-the-hebrews]</ref> |
| − | '''Likely authorship by Jesus''': The Epistle also uses a same distinctive phrase once used by Jesus, which reinforces His likely authorship. This Epistle is actually a 45-minute sermon, probably the one given by [[Jesus]] to disciples on the Road to Emmaus, shortly after the [[Resurrection]].<ref>Luke 24:13-35 (Road to Emmaus). See also [http://sljinstitute.net/general-epistles/hebrews/the-finality-and-superiority-of-the-son-of-god-hebrews/ Mentioning an expert opinion that the Epistle is based on Jesus's explanation on the Road to Emmaus]</ref> The total length of this Epistle is slightly less than 5000 words.<ref>http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT-Statistics-Greek.htm</ref> Although some early manuscripts of this book are marked as "to the Hebrews," this Epistle is actually directed more towards early Christians familiar with Scriptures. | + | '''Likely authorship by Jesus''': This Epistle is actually a 45-minute sermon, probably the one given by [[Jesus]] to disciples on the Road to Emmaus, shortly after the [[Resurrection]].<ref>Luke 24:13-35 (Road to Emmaus). See also [http://sljinstitute.net/general-epistles/hebrews/the-finality-and-superiority-of-the-son-of-god-hebrews/ Mentioning an expert opinion that the Epistle is based on Jesus's explanation on the Road to Emmaus]</ref> The total length of this Epistle is slightly less than 5000 words.<ref>http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT-Statistics-Greek.htm</ref> Although some early manuscripts of this book are marked as "to the Hebrews," this Epistle is actually directed more towards early Christians familiar with Scriptures. |
| | '''Likely inspiration for Luke's Gospel and his [[Acts of the Apostles]]''': There are striking similarities between this Epistle and Luke's work, which suggests that one inspired the other. Given that this Epistle is written at a higher level and probably earlier than Luke's works, this Epistle probably inspired Luke to write his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. | | '''Likely inspiration for Luke's Gospel and his [[Acts of the Apostles]]''': There are striking similarities between this Epistle and Luke's work, which suggests that one inspired the other. Given that this Epistle is written at a higher level and probably earlier than Luke's works, this Epistle probably inspired Luke to write his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. |