Atonement is a central biblical concept that refers to how sinful humanity can be reconciled to a holy God. Throughout Scripture, God provides the means of atonement so that the relationship between God and humans can be restored. Here are some key Bible verses about atonement:
Leviticus 16 – The Day of Atonement
Leviticus 16 describes the rituals and sacrifices carried out by the high priest on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This annual day provided atonement for the sins of Israel:
“This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work—whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you— because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins.” (Leviticus 16:29-30)
“In this way he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been.” (Leviticus 16:16)
Isaiah 53 – The Suffering Servant
Isaiah 53 prophetically describes Jesus as the suffering servant who would be “pierced for our transgressions” and crushed for our iniquities. His sacrifice provides atonement for sinners:
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
“For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12)
Romans 3:21-26 – Righteousness Through Faith
In his letter to the Romans, Paul explains that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, but are justified freely through the redemption found in Jesus Christ. His sacrifice serves as atonement for those who have faith in Him:
“But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” (Romans 3:21-22)
“God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.” (Romans 3:25)
Hebrews 2:17 – Jesus Made Atonement
The book of Hebrews explains how Jesus serves as the ultimate high priest, offering the perfect sacrifice to make atonement for the sins of the people:
“For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17)
1 John 2:1-2 – Jesus Our Advocate
John assures believers that when they do sin, Jesus serves as their advocate before the Father, having provided atonement for sins:
“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2)
1 John 4:9-10 – God’s Love and Atonement
John also ties atonement to God’s great love for us, demonstrated in sending His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins:
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10)
Hebrews 9:11-15 – The Blood of Christ
The writer of Hebrews explains how Christ entered the true tabernacle in heaven and secured eternal redemption through His own blood, bringing forgiveness and cleansing to those who have faith in Him:
“But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:11-12)
“For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.” (Hebrews 9:15)
Ephesians 1:7 – Redemption Through His Blood
Paul teaches that believers have redemption and forgiveness of sins through the blood of Christ:
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)
Colossians 1:19-20 – Peace Through His Blood
Paul further explains that God was pleased to reconcile all things to Himself through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross:
“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20)
Romans 5:6-11 – Reconciled Through Christ’s Death
In his letter to the Romans, Paul again emphasizes how Christ’s sacrificial death justifies sinners and reconciles them to God:
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Romans 5:6-10)
2 Corinthians 5:14-21 – Reconciled Through Christ
Paul further develops the ideas of atonement and reconciliation in 2 Corinthians. He explains that through Christ’s death, believers have been reconciled to God:
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-19)
Titus 2:11-14 – Redemption Through Christ
Writing to Titus, Paul summarizes the saving work of Christ this way:
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:11-14)
1 Peter 1:17-21 – Redeemed by Christ’s Blood
Peter reminds believers that they were redeemed from their empty way of life through the precious blood of Christ:
“Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:17-19)
1 Peter 2:24 – He Bore Our Sins
Peter succinctly summarizes the atoning work of Christ:
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
1 Peter 3:18 – Christ Suffered for Sins
Again, Peter highlights Christ’s redemptive work on the cross:
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” (1 Peter 3:18)
Revelation 1:4-6 – Freed Us From Our Sins
The apostle John opens the book of Revelation with a doxology that celebrates what Christ has accomplished for believers:
“Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 1:4-6)
These verses represent a sampling of the many passages in Scripture that speak to the atoning work of Jesus Christ for sinners. From the Old Testament system of sacrifices to the fulfillment found in Christ’s death and resurrection, the Bible resounds with God’s solution for the dilemma of human sinfulness. Only through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross are people able to be forgiven and reconciled to holy God.