Those To Whom It Was Written.  It was, no doubt, addressed to Hebrew Christians, but whether to a special church or to those in a special locality, is a matter of dispute.  Several things, however, may be learned about them. (1) They had steadfastly endured persecution and the loss of property. (2) They had shown sympathy with other Christians, 6:10; 10:32-34. (3) They had been Christians some time, 5:12. (4) They knew the writer whom they are, by their prayers, to help restore to themselves, 13:19. (5) They knew Timothy who was to visit them, 13:23. (6) They were now in danger of apostacy to Judaism but had not yet resisted to blood, 12:3-4; 5:11; 6:9.  Their danger of going back to Judaism might arise from several sources. (1) There was a tendency to disbelieve Christ and his claims, 3:12. (2) The elaborate worship of the Temple compared with the simple worship of the Christian church. (3) The Jews branded them as traitors and taunted them for turning against the law, which was given by prophets, angels, and Moses, and from the sanctuary ministered to by the priests of God. (4) They were suffering persecution.

Purpose and Contents.  The purpose was to prevent apostacy from Christianity to Judaism and incidentally to comfort them in their suffering and persecution.  To accomplish this purpose the author shows, by a series of comparisons, that the religion of Christ is superior to that which preceded it.  “Better” is the key-word, which along with other terms of comparison such as “more excellent” is constantly used to show the superiority of Christianity.  It is very much like a sermon, the author often turning aside to exhort, then returning to the theme.

Date.  It was written from Jerusalem, Alexandria or Rome some time before A. D. 70, since the temple was still standing, 9:6-7; 10:1.

Analysis.

I. Christianity is Superior to Judaism because Christ through Whom it was Introduced is Superior to the Messengers of Judaism, chs. 1-6.

   1.  He is superior to prophets, 1:1-3.

   2.  He is superior to angels. 1:4-2 end.

   3.  He is superior to Moses, including Joshua, chs. 3-6.

   Three points in each of these comparisons are the same.

   1.  He is God’s son.

   2.  He is man’s Savior.

   3.  He is man’s high priest.

   Neither prophets nor angels nor Moses equal Jesus in these points. 
   There are two notable exhortations, (a) 2:1-4; (b) 5:11-6 end.

II.  Christianity in Superior to Judaism because Its Priesthood is Superior to that of Judaism, 7:1-10:18.

1.  Christ its priest is superior to the priests of Judaism, 7:1- 8:6.

   2.  Its covenant is superior to that of Judaism, 8:7 end.

   3.  Its tabernacle is superior to that of Judaism, ch. 9.

   4.  Its sacrifice is superior to those of Judaism, 10:1-18.

III.  Christianity is Superior to Judaism, because the Blessings it Confers are Superior to those of Judaism. 10:19-11 end.