What does the Bible say about atonement?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that God atones for sin through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, who bore the judgment sinners deserve and reconciles all who trust in him to God. Leviticus 17:11 shows that God appointed blood as the means of atonement, pointing forward to Christ's final sacrifice. Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24 proclaim that Jesus was wounded for our sins and bore them in his body on the cross. Hebrews 9:12, 22 teaches that his own blood secured eternal redemption once for all. As 1 John 2:2 and 1 Peter 3:18 declare, Christ the righteous died for the unrighteous, bringing his people to God.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 1 Peter 2:24
who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.
- Leviticus 17:11
For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life.
- 1 John 2:2
And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
- Hebrews 9:12
nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption.
- Hebrews 9:22
According to the law, nearly everything is cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.
- Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.
- Revelation 5:9
They sang a new song, saying, "You are worthy to take the book, And to open its seals: For you were killed, And bought us for God with your blood, Out of every tribe, language, people, and nation,
- 1 Peter 3:18
Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- For tabernacle and furniture Leviticus 16:15-20; Leviticus 16:33
- In consummation of the Levites Numbers 8:21
- For those defiled by the dead Numbers 6:11
- Made for houses Leviticus 14:53
- For sin, see below
- By meat offerings Leviticus 5:11-13
- By jewels Numbers 31:50
- By money Exodus 30:12-16; Leviticus 5:15; Leviticus 5:16; 2 Kings 12:16
- By incense Numbers 16:46-50
- By animals, see below
- By Jesus, see below
- DAY OF
- Time of Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 23:27; Leviticus 25:9; Numbers 29:7
- How observed Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 16:2-34; Leviticus 23:27-32; Numbers 29:7-11; Acts 27:9; Hebrews 5:3; Hebrews 9:7; Hebrews 9:19; Hebrews 9:22
- MADE BY ANIMAL SACRIFICES Exodus 29:36; Exodus 30:12-16; Leviticus 1:4; Leviticus 4:20; Leviticus 4:22-35; Leviticus 5:6-10; Leviticus 6:7; Leviticus 9:7; Leviticus 10:17; Leviticus 12:6-8; Leviticus 14:12-32; Leviticus 16:6
- MADE BY JESUS
- Divinely ordained Luke 2:30; Luke 2:31; Galatians 4:4; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:3-12; Ephesians 1:17-22; Ephesians 2:4-10; Colossians 1:19; Colossians 1:20; 1 Peter 1:20; Revelation 13:8
- A mystery 1 Corinthians 2:7
- With context 1 Peter 1:8-12
- Made but once Hebrews 7:27; Hebrews 9:24-28; Hebrews 10:10; Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 10:14; 1 Peter 3:18
- Redemption by Matthew 20:28; Acts 20:28; Galatians 3:13; 1 Timothy 2:6; Hebrews 9:12; Revelation 5:9
- Typified Genesis 4:4; Hebrews 11:4; Genesis 22:2; Hebrews 11:17; Hebrews 11:19; Exodus 12:5; Exodus 12:11; Exodus 12:14; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Exodus 24:8; Hebrews 9:20; Leviticus 16:30
- See SALVATION, PLAN OF
- UNCLASSIFIED SCRIPTURES RELATING TO Psalms 40:6; Psalms 40:7; Isaiah 53:4-12; Daniel 9:24-27; Zechariah 13:1; Matthew 26:28; Luke 22:20; Luke 24:46; Luke 24:47; John 1:29; John 1:36; John 6:51
- See BLOOD
- See JESUS, DEATH OF
- See JESUS, MISSION OF
- See JESUS, SUFFERINGS OF
- See REDEMPTION
- See SALVATION
See also
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about atonement and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about atonement