Hebrews 13:11

11 In the old system, the animals are killed and the bodies disposed of outside the camp. The blood is then brought inside to the altar as a sacrifice for sin.

Hebrews 13:11 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 13:11

For the bodies of those beasts
Not the red heifer, ( Numbers 19:1-22 ) nor the sin offering in general, ( Leviticus 6:30 ) nor those for the priest and people, ( Leviticus 4:11 Leviticus 4:12 ) ( Leviticus 21:6 Leviticus 21:7 Leviticus 21:18 ) but the bullock and goat, on the day of atonement, ( Leviticus 16:11-18 Leviticus 16:27 ) which were typical of Christ, in the bringing of their blood into the most holy place, by the high priest, for sin; and in the burning of them, without the camp: these beasts were slain, their blood was shed, and was brought into the most holy place, by the high priest; and was sprinkled on the mercy seat, and the horns of the altar of incense; and, by it, atonement was made for the priest, his house, and all Israel; which was a type of the death of Christ; the shedding of his blood; the carrying of it into heaven; the sprinkling it upon the throne of grace and mercy; by which reconciliation is made for the sins of all God's people:

whose blood is brought into the sanctuary:
that is, into the holy of holies, as the Ethiopic version renders it:

by the high priest for sin;
to make atonement for it, for his own, and for the sins of his family, and of all Israel:

are burnt without the camp,
( Leviticus 16:27 ) even their skins, flesh, and dung; and the men that burnt them were unclean, though, upon being washed, were received: which was typical of the dolorous sufferings of Christ without Jerusalem, as the next verse shows; and points out the extent of his sufferings, reaching to all parts of his body, and even to his soul; and expresses not only the pains, but the shame and reproach he endured, signified by the burning of the dung; and hints at the pardon of the wicked Jews, who were concerned in his sufferings; which was applied unto them upon their repentance.

Hebrews 13:11 In-Context

9 Don't be lured away from him by the latest speculations about him. The grace of Christ is the only good ground for life. Products named after Christ don't seem to do much for those who buy them.
10 The altar from which God gives us the gift of himself is not for exploitation by insiders who grab and loot.
11 In the old system, the animals are killed and the bodies disposed of outside the camp. The blood is then brought inside to the altar as a sacrifice for sin.
12 It's the same with Jesus. He was crucified outside the city gates - that is where he poured out the sacrificial blood that was brought to God's altar to cleanse his people.
13 So let's go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is - not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.