Blood is often mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing life, sacrifice, and forgiveness. Today, we’ll discuss what Scripture says about blood and its powerful meaning throughout history.
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What Does The Bible Say About Blood
Genesis 9:4
“But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of not consuming blood from animals, highlighting the principle of respecting and valuing life as it is given by God.
The prohibition against consuming blood also represents a symbolic separation from practices associated with idolatry and pagan rituals that often involved blood sacrifices.
Leviticus 17:11
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”
This verse reveals the significance of blood in the process of atonement, emphasizing its role as a sacrificial element in the forgiveness of sins.
God’s design is to demonstrate the seriousness of sin and the need for a substitutionary sacrifice through the shedding of blood, ultimately pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 26:28
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Jesus spoke these words during the Last Supper, signifying the establishment of a new covenant based on His sacrificial death on the cross.
His blood, being poured out, symbolizes the offering of His life as a substitutionary sacrifice, providing the means for the forgiveness of sins for those who believe in Him.
Ephesians 1:7
“In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”
This verse celebrates the redemption and forgiveness of sins that believers experience through faith in Jesus Christ.
The blood of Christ represents the price paid for our salvation, and it is through His sacrifice that we can be reconciled to God and receive His abundant grace.
Hebrews 9:22
“In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.”
This verse emphasizes the crucial role of blood in the process of forgiveness and cleansing from sin according to the Old Testament laws.
It also highlights the necessity of Christ’s sacrifice as the ultimate and perfect offering, fulfilling the requirements of the law and providing complete forgiveness for all who believe in Him.
1 Peter 1:19
“But with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
This verse describes the pure and unblemished nature of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as the perfect and spotless lamb, shedding His blood to redeem humanity from sin.
His blood holds immeasurable value and represents the depth of His love and willingness to sacrifice for our salvation.
Revelation 1:5-6
“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 forever and ever! Amen.”
This verse acknowledges the love of Jesus Christ, who has liberated believers from sin through His sacrificial shedding of blood.
It also describes the glorious status that believers have been granted as a result, being part of God’s kingdom and serving Him as priests, all to the praise of His name.
Colossians 1:20
“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.”
This verse highlights the all-encompassing work of Christ’s blood, bringing reconciliation to all things.
It emphasizes the restoration of peace between God and humanity, as well as the reconciliation of the entire created order, which was marred by sin.
Hebrews 13:12
“And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood.”
This verse speaks of the sacrificial suffering of Jesus, who willingly shed His blood outside the walls of Jerusalem.
His blood sanctifies believers, setting them apart as holy, and illustrating the depth of His commitment to bringing salvation to all who believe in Him.
Romans 3:25
“God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished.”
This verse highlights the role of Jesus Christ as the sacrificial offering, providing atonement through the shedding of His blood.
It emphasizes the righteousness of God, who orchestrated the redemptive plan through the ages, patiently withholding judgment until the perfect time for Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.
1 John 1:7
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
This verse encourages believers to strive for a life of righteousness and fellowship with God and fellow believers.
It affirms that the blood of Jesus continuously purifies believers from all their sins as they walk in the light and seek to live according to His teachings.
Hebrews 10:19
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus…”
This verse highlights the unparalleled access that believers have to the presence of God.
Through the blood of Jesus, they can approach God with confidence, knowing that His sacrifice has granted them access to the Most Holy Place.
1 Corinthians 10:16
“Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?”
This verse refers to the act of communion, which symbolically represents the participation in the body and blood of Christ.
The cup of thanksgiving and the bread both serve as powerful reminders of the sacrificial love of Jesus and the invitation for believers to partake in His redemption.
Hebrews 9:14
“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”
This verse emphasizes the cleansing power of the blood of Christ, which surpasses any other means of purification.
It assures believers that through the sacrifice of Jesus, their consciences can be cleansed, enabling them to serve and worship the living God with a renewed heart and mind.
Acts 20:28
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
This verse instructs leaders in the church to be diligent in their care and oversight of God’s people, recognizing the value and price that was paid for their redemption.
It serves as a reminder that the church belongs to God, purchased with the precious blood of Jesus, and deserving of God-centered and sacrificial leadership.
Revelation 5:9
“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
This verse describes a scene in heaven where those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus sing a new song of praise and worship.
It magnifies the worthiness of Christ, who was slain and whose blood has purchased a diverse multitude of believers from every corner of the earth, showcasing the inclusive power of His sacrifice.
Hebrews 12:24
“to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”
This verse contrasts the blood of Jesus with that of Abel, symbolizing the distinction between wrath and grace, judgment and mercy.
It portrays Jesus as the mediator of a new covenant, and His blood as a powerful testimony that brings forgiveness, restoration, and speaks of a better way for humanity.
1 Peter 2:24
“‘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.'”
This verse proclaims the redemptive work of Jesus, who willingly took upon Himself the sins of humanity in His crucifixion.
Through His sacrifice, believers are enabled to die to their old sinful way of life and live in righteousness, finding spiritual and emotional healing through His wounds.
Romans 5:9
“Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!”
This verse celebrates the justification of believers through the blood of Jesus, which results in being declared righteous in the sight of God.
It also assures that those who have been justified by His blood can be confident in their salvation, knowing that they will be saved from the coming judgment and wrath of God.
Hebrews 9:14
“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”
This verse emphasizes the cleansing power of the blood of Christ, which surpasses any other means of purification.
It assures believers that through the sacrifice of Jesus, their consciences can be cleansed, enabling them to serve and worship the living God with a renewed heart and mind.
Acts 20:28
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
This verse instructs leaders in the church to be diligent in their care and oversight of God’s people, recognizing the value and price that was paid for their redemption.
It serves as a reminder that the church belongs to God, purchased with the precious blood of Jesus, and deserving of God-centered and sacrificial leadership.
Revelation 5:9
“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
This verse describes a scene in heaven where those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus sing a new song of praise and worship.
It magnifies the worthiness of Christ, who was slain and whose blood has purchased a diverse multitude of believers from every corner of the earth, showcasing the inclusive power of His sacrifice.
Hebrews 12:24
“to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”
This verse contrasts the blood of Jesus with that of Abel, symbolizing the distinction between wrath and grace, judgment and mercy.
It portrays Jesus as the mediator of a new covenant, and His blood as a powerful testimony that brings forgiveness, restoration, and speaks of a better way for humanity.
1 Peter 2:24
“‘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.'”
This verse proclaims the redemptive work of Jesus, who willingly took upon Himself the sins of humanity in His crucifixion.
Through His sacrifice, believers are enabled to die to their old sinful way of life and live in righteousness, finding spiritual and emotional healing through His wounds.
Romans 5:9
“Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!”
This verse celebrates the justification of believers through the blood of Jesus, which results in being declared righteous in the sight of God.
It also assures that those who have been justified by His blood can be confident in their salvation, knowing that they will be saved from the coming judgment and wrath of God.
Hebrews 9:22
“In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.”
This verse emphasizes the crucial role of blood in the process of forgiveness and cleansing from sin according to the Old Testament laws.
It also highlights the necessity of Christ’s sacrifice as the ultimate and perfect offering, fulfilling the requirements of the law and providing complete forgiveness for all who believe in Him.
1 John 1:7
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
This verse encourages believers to strive for a life of righteousness and fellowship with God and fellow believers.
It affirms that the blood of Jesus continuously purifies believers from all their sins as they walk in the light and seek to live according to His teachings.
Hebrews 10:19
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus…”
This verse highlights the unparalleled access that believers have to the presence of God.
Through the blood of Jesus, they can approach God with confidence, knowing that His sacrifice has granted them access to the Most Holy Place.
1 Corinthians 10:16
“Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?”
This verse refers to the act of communion, which symbolically represents the participation in the body and blood of Christ.
The cup of thanksgiving and the bread both serve as powerful reminders of the sacrificial love of Jesus and the invitation for believers to partake in His redemption.
Hebrews 9:14
“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”
This verse emphasizes the cleansing power of the blood of Christ, which surpasses any other means of purification.
It assures believers that through the sacrifice of Jesus, their consciences can be cleansed, enabling them to serve and worship the living God with a renewed heart and mind.
Acts 20:28
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
This verse instructs leaders in the church to be diligent in their care and oversight of God’s people, recognizing the value and price that was paid for their redemption.
It serves as a reminder that the church belongs to God, purchased with the precious blood of Jesus, and deserving of God-centered and sacrificial leadership.
Revelation 5:9
“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
This verse describes a scene in heaven where those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus sing a new song of praise and worship.
It magnifies the worthiness of Christ, who was slain and whose blood has purchased a diverse multitude of believers from every corner of the earth, showcasing the inclusive power of His sacrifice.
Hebrews 12:24
“to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”
This verse contrasts the blood of Jesus with that of Abel, symbolizing the distinction between wrath and grace, judgment and mercy.
It portrays Jesus as the mediator of a new covenant, and His blood as a powerful testimony that brings forgiveness, restoration, and speaks of a better way for humanity.
1 Peter 2:24
“‘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.'”
This verse proclaims the redemptive work of Jesus, who willingly took upon Himself the sins of humanity in His crucifixion.
Through His sacrifice, believers are enabled to die to their old sinful way of life and live in righteousness, finding spiritual and emotional healing through His wounds.
Romans 5:9
“Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!”
This verse celebrates the justification of believers through the blood of Jesus, which results in being declared righteous in the sight of God.
It also assures that those who have been justified by His blood can be confident in their salvation, knowing that they will be saved from the coming judgment and wrath of God.