Theme Old and New Testament
Sacrifice and atonement
Also known as Atonement, Blood of the covenant
Sacrifice and atonement is the biblical pattern by which sin is covered and fellowship with God restored through a life given in place of the guilty. From the garments of skin in Eden and the ram in place of Isaac to the Passover lamb and the offerings of the law, the Old Testament teaches that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. The New Testament proclaims that Jesus offered Himself once for all.
Why it matters. The cross is unintelligible without this theme, and the theme is incomplete without the cross. It is how the Bible explains what Jesus' death accomplished.
- Primary passages
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-30 by the FaithGraph team
Connections
The fall develops the theme Sacrifice and atonement
Historic Christian readingMedium confidenceGod clothes the guilty pair with garments of skin, which many Christian readers have taken as the first hint that covering sin costs a life. The text itself does not explain the garments.
Evidence:Other responsible views
- Provision, not sacrifice: Some interpreters read the garments simply as God's practical care for the pair outside the garden, without a sacrificial meaning.
The Passover and the exodus develops the theme Sacrifice and atonement
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceA lamb without blemish is slaughtered and its blood shields the household from judgment.
Evidence:Gethsemane develops the theme Sacrifice and atonement
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceIn the garden Jesus accepts the cup the Father has given Him, the cup He then drinks on the cross.
Evidence:The crucifixion of Jesus develops the theme Sacrifice and atonement
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe New Testament describes Jesus' death as an atoning sacrifice offered once for all.
Evidence:The crucifixion of Jesus develops the theme Sacrifice and atonement
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceJesus says His blood is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins, and the apostles describe the cross as a sacrifice for sin.
Caiaphas promises Sacrifice and atonement
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceJohn says Caiaphas, as high priest, prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation and to gather God's scattered children, though he meant it as political expedience.
Evidence: