Hebrews 8:13 – “By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.”
An Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse wraps up the message of Hebrews chapter 8 with a clear statement: the old covenant is no longer in effect. When God promised a new covenant (as seen in the verses before), it meant that the old one was on its way out. It wasn’t just updated—it was replaced.
The writer says that the old covenant is now “obsolete” and “outdated.” That doesn’t mean it was bad or wrong. It served a purpose for a time. But now that Jesus has come and established the new covenant, the old system of sacrifices, rituals, and temple worship is no longer needed. God is doing something new—through Jesus—and the old way is fading away.
Historical Context
The first covenant was given through Moses at Mount Sinai. It included the Ten Commandments, temple worship, the priesthood, animal sacrifices, and a long list of laws. This system was central to Jewish life for generations. But as time went on, it became clear that people couldn’t keep the covenant perfectly. Sin remained a problem.
When Hebrews was written, the temple in Jerusalem was still standing, and many Jewish believers were feeling pressure to go back to the old ways. This verse would have been shocking and powerful to them. It confirmed that the old covenant—though once necessary—was now outdated, and the new covenant through Jesus had fully arrived.
Not long after Hebrews was written, the temple was destroyed in A.D. 70. That marked the end of the old system in a very real and visible way.
Theological Implications
This verse teaches us that God’s plan has moved forward. The old covenant was never meant to last forever—it was pointing forward to something better. Now that Jesus has come and fulfilled its purpose, the old way is no longer needed.
It also makes clear that salvation and relationship with God are now only possible through the new covenant. Trying to live under the old system (rules, sacrifices, and priesthood) won’t lead to life. Only Jesus can do that.
This verse helps believers understand that their faith isn’t built on religious tradition—it’s built on Jesus, who brought something better and lasting.
Literary Analysis
The verse begins with a conclusion word: “By calling this covenant ‘new’…” This links back to the quote from Jeremiah in verses 8-12. The word “new” automatically implies that the first one is no longer the current one. The terms “obsolete” and “outdated” emphasize that the old covenant has served its time and is no longer in force.
The last phrase—“will soon disappear”—suggests that the old system was still around when this was written but was on the verge of being removed entirely. This adds a sense of urgency and clarity to the message.
Any Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Jeremiah 31:31 – “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant…”
- Romans 10:4 – “Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”
- Galatians 3:24-25 – “The law was our guardian until Christ came… now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.”
- Colossians 2:17 – “These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”
- Hebrews 10:9 – “He sets aside the first to establish the second.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s believer, this verse is freeing. It means that you don’t have to try to earn God’s acceptance through rules, rituals, or religious systems. Jesus has brought a new covenant, and that’s where your hope and relationship with God are found.
It also means that the way to God is no longer through temples, animal sacrifices, or Old Testament ceremonies. It’s through Jesus—our great High Priest—who opened the way for us to come directly to God.
This verse encourages us to move forward in faith, not backward into systems that no longer apply.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is seen clearly in this verse. He didn’t leave people stuck in a system that couldn’t fully cleanse them. He provided something better. He made a new way—not by lowering His standards, but by meeting them through His Son.
God didn’t cling to the old covenant just because it had always been there. He brought something better because He loves His people and wants them to be truly free and fully forgiven.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ – with Biblical References
Jesus is the one who makes the old covenant obsolete and the new covenant possible.
- Luke 22:20 – “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
- Hebrews 9:15 – “Christ is the mediator of a new covenant…”
- Matthew 5:17 – “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
- John 1:17 – “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
Through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the law and replaced it with something better—a covenant based on grace, not works.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does it mean to you that the old covenant is now obsolete?
- Are there ways you still try to earn God’s approval through performance instead of trusting in Jesus?
- How does the new covenant change the way you relate to God?
- What does this verse teach you about God’s plan and His timing?
- How can you live in the freedom and assurance of the new covenant each day?