Discovery BoxHebrews 12:24 
Context12:24 and to Jesus, the mediator 1 of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks of something better than Abel’s does. 2
Hebrews 9:15
Context9:15 And so he is the mediator 3 of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the eternal inheritance he has promised, 4 since he died 5 to set them free from the violations committed under the first covenant.
1 tn The Greek word μεσίτης (mesith", “mediator”) in this context does not imply that Jesus was a mediator in the contemporary sense of the word, i.e., he worked for compromise between opposing parties. Here the term describes his function as the one who was used by God to enact a new covenant which established a new relationship between God and his people, but entirely on God’s terms.
2 sn Abel’s shed blood cried out to the Lord for justice and judgment, but Jesus’ blood speaks of redemption and forgiveness, something better than Abel’s does (Gen 4:10; Heb 9:11-14; 11:4).
3 tn The Greek word μεσίτης (mesith", “mediator”) in this context does not imply that Jesus was a mediator in the contemporary sense of the word, i.e., he worked for compromise between opposing parties. Here the term describes his function as the one who was used by God to enact a new covenant which established a new relationship between God and his people, but entirely on God’s terms.
4 tn Grk “the promise of the eternal inheritance.”
5 tn Grk “a death having occurred.”
