by R.B. Banfield

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Hebrews is a letter without a beginning. The Bible’s other letters begin with the recipients, the author’s identification and greetings. Hebrews begins with a mystery. No writer, no recipients. We can guess the audience rightly enough, the believers in Christ in the region of Jerusalem. From its contents it can easily be seen to be a letter written from Italy to Jewish believers, hence the name Hebrews. What else could they call it? Pseudo-Paul? I’m sure someone tried to title it that at one point or another.

 

We can take a stab at guessing the writer, and maybe do better than the great “only God knows” shrug from Origen in the third century. The question may seem irrelevant (and this is basically true), but it is still captivating. Once the true writer is revealed, as I will clearly show here, I believe Hebrews becomes a more powerful document. Not only that, but the character of the writer, the man behind the great words, becomes more real. That man is Peter, the fisherman from Galilee, the most trusted disciple, the most headstrong, the most outspoken.

 

Or do we look at Peter as a bit of a lug? A bit dull? The man who spoke without thinking, and who even spoke the words of the devil without knowing. This opinion about Peter is entirely wrong. There was nothing dumb about the man. He did say too much at times (the best example is at the Transfiguration, as John said, he did not know what he was saying). He acted impulsively too, as in attacking the man in the garden on that dramatic night, and cutting off his ear, or was he trying to cut his throat and missed? Was this action out of stupidity, or was it passion for what he believed in? Peter was a man of emotion, and action, and of a willingness to obey even though he did not understand. The vision of the animals in the sheet speak to that, and how he would never have gone with the Gentile men who were sent from Cornelius.

 

With the disciples he learned the scriptures at the feet of the Resurrected Jesus for 40 days. There could not have been a better learning environment. Any argument that Peter was intellectually incapable of writing Hebrews is nonsense. The argument of the quality of Greek is redundant since there was nothing to stop him using a scribe. Even Paul had a man named Tertius write Romans (Rom 16:22). He might not have known any Greek at all, but if his scribe knew his language then a letter could have been easily produced.

 

Once we know the true author’s identity, we can see that whoever it was who put together the order of books in the NT is partly (and unintentionally, one would assume) to blame for the mystery. The prevailing and flawed opinion that the author was Paul was probably foremost in the decision to place Hebrews after the Pauline letters. This is not to say its placing after Paul is the problem. The problem would be the placing of James between Hebrews and 1 Peter, which creates a kind of buffer. James should probably follow Jude, which itself should follow 2 Peter since it has mostly the same themes. The three letters of John should themselves then precede Revelation. But that’s if you would prefer a stylistically smooth transition from book to book, which is not all that important.

 

All that to say that if the reader would go from reading Hebrews to reading 1 Peter, they would immediately notice how striking the similarities are. The themes, the style, and above all else, the author’s authority. It was clearly written by someone of very high standing, an equal of Paul, and therefore another Apostle, and there is none better suited to the job than Peter.

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Speaking of similarity, 1 Peter is far closer in style to Hebrews than it is to 2 Peter. Hebrews is also almost exactly three-times the length of 1 Peter, in case you were wondering.

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A remarkable paper by Lester Reddin titled Hebrews A Petrine Document, as far back as 1911, clearly pointed out the many similarities between 1 and 2 Peter and Hebrews, but it must have fallen on theologically deaf ears. I will use many of his proofs here. Thanks Lester, your work will not be forgotten.

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Argument One: But Paul did it

Hebrews has a far different style to Paul. It is no help that the KJV bizarrely informed everyone that Paul wrote it, without a shred of evidence. Their main evidence for Paul is convenience. He wrote all those other letters, so why not one more?

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Argument Two: Peter couldn’t write decent Greek (but neither could Paul)

I have already addressed this, but it is more of an attack on Peter than anything else. The Greek style of Hebrews is considered to be polished, whereas Paul’s wasn’t. Paul admitted that his Greek was poor (2 Cor 11:6). This doesn’t stop Paul being pushed as the writer, so why is Peter not also considered?

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They will say, but how could Peter, whose profession was a of catching fish in the unfashionable part of the country, know any Greek, let alone decent Greek of Hebrews? How about we look at what we know of Peter. He was in partnership with Zebedee, he had his own house large enough to home, at the very least, his wife, her mother, and his brother Andrew. He lived in Capernaum, but was originally from Bethsaida (John 1:44), and his father was a man named Jonah (or John). Anything else, we have no idea about. Was he a simple fisherman? Probably, yes. But remember this was the label of uneducated given to all the apostles by their enemies the Pharisees. We cannot know who much education even the poorest boy received in those times. And who is to say he was raised poor? His background is pure guesswork.

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Argument Three: Peter didn’t even write 1 Peter (and he certainly didn’t write 2 Peter)

However ludicrous this argument is, it needs to be addressed. The “simple fisherman” could not write in the apparently cultured style of Greek of 1 Peter. This implies that it was written by an imposter. It never fails to amaze me when this is brought up, since we are told that Silvanus helped Peter write it. 1 Peter 5:12: “By Silvanus, the trustful brother as I estimate, I wrote briefly.”

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As for 2 Peter not being from Peter (even if 1 Peter was), the obvious reason for the difference in Greek style is that Silvanus didn’t help him write it. (Or was there someone else named Simon Peter?) There is no reason why Peter could not have enlisted the help of Silvanus again for Hebrews, or even someone else like Luke. It was not like their world was short of people adept in writing the common language of the day. They were called scribes.

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Argument Four: The writer was not a first generation believer

This is a major source of confusion. The misunderstanding of the phrase “us” (Heb 2:3) has caused the errant understanding that the writer was a second generation believer, someone who heard the Gospel from the original hearers, and could therefore not be of the Apostles. This is probably why Paul is pushed as the writer, despite the fact that Paul was not converted by the original hearers, but by the Lord when he appeared to him on a road to Damascus (Gal 1:12). This is the crux of the entire neglect of considering Peter as the writer.

 

The writer was not saying that he was a second generation believer, as most people interpret it, but was identifying himself with the believers (“us”), as he did in verse 1:2. “In these last days he spoke to us by the Son ... was confirmed to us by the ones hearing.” Replace “us” with “the believers” and we get: “In these last days he spoke to the believers by the Son ... was confirmed to the believers by the ones hearing.” He’s stating past history, that the original believers spread the word across the world. He was not saying, as many teachers teach it to read: “was confirmed to the believers by the ones hearing, including myself because I wasn’t one of the original hearers.” That has been read into the text by people who don’t fully understand it. Does this sound too simple? That's because it is that simple.

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Argument Three: [Insert favourite candidate here] wrote it

There is a long list of potential writers for Hebrews, including Paul, Apollos, Barnabus, Luke, Silvanus, Priscilla and/or Aquilla, and (rarely) Peter. The choice for either of these appears to fall under the category of wishful thinking. There is no evidence for any of them. Paul had the necessary authority. Luke is the only one with any surviving writing for us to compare, but there is no evidence that he was Jewish.

 

The only one with any early support is Barnabus, testified to by Tertullian. But was Tertullian discussing not Hebrew but another letter that is now called the Epistle of Barnabus? (This candidate was once my own preferred writer, since he must have established the Roman church after departing from Paul and taking Mark, who is mentioned in Hebrews.)

 

The problem with Barnabus as a candidate is that we know very little about him. There is no surviving letter, and Luke never quotes him in Acts. He appeared to be quieter than Paul when they were evangelising, and his demeanour was of great encouragement, hence the name that was given to him by the Apostles. His known teaching style is zip.

 

The next-best candidate is Apollos, since we are told that he was “mighty in the scriptures”. But, like Barnabus, we know nothing else. No letter and no quotes. Again, like the others, promoting Apollos as the writer is wishful thinking. All the evidence for other writers falls into the category of extreme wishful thinking.

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Evidence One:

Peter was the Apostle to the Jews. Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles, and Peter to the Jews. There is no one more qualified than Peter to have written Hebrews. No one.

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Evidence Two:

Peter died in Italy, from where Hebrews was written. So we have Peter in the right place and at the right time.

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Evidence Three:

The “fathers”. The Hebrews writer loves talking about the “fathers”, the people of the OT. He also loves speaking of angels. Peter personally encountered Moses and Elijah, and an angel freed him from the Herod’s cell. He was still thinking of the Transformation on the Mount when he wrote 2 Peter (1:18). The event must have profoundly moved him. Having seen Moses and Elijah, it is no stretch of the imagination to see Peter reading the scriptures with a new understanding of these men, and this inspired him to look to every one of the patriarchs as great men. Peter cannot help himself but refer to them in his letters. The same style of referencing notable OT people is repeated in Hebrews, over and over.

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Hebrews referenced the following, in order:, Abraham, Moses, David, Joshua, Melchisedek, Levi, Aaron, Enoch, Noah, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Esau, Joseph, Rahab, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, Samuel. 1 Peter has  Sarah, Abraham, and Noah. 2 Peter has Noah, Balaam, and the cities Sodom and Gomorrah. Notice how one particular name is repeated? Peter loves talking about Noah, and Noah is nowhere else mentioned in the NT outside the Gospels. Only by Peter.

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Evidence Four:

There is no OT book that Peter quotes in his two letters that is not also quoted in Hebrews. This is a trivial point, but it stops anyone from saying something like, “But Peter used Ecclesiastes and the writer of Hebrews didn’t!”

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Hebrews: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Joshua, 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles, Proverbs, Proverbs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Habakkuk, Haggai, Psalms.

1 & 2 Peter: Deuteronomy, Exodus, Leviticus, Isaiah, Psalms, Proverbs.

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Evidence Five:

The theme and the unique Greek words common to Hebrews and 1 Peter. Some words are only found in Hebrews and 1 Peter. This is a problem to explain if Peter is not the author (or the man behind the scribe), or was it coincidence? Below are quotes that follow the order given in Hebrews.

 

The Fathers:

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In many parts and in many ways of old, God spoke to the fathers by the prophets.

(Hebrews 1:1)

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and saying, “Where is the promise of his advent? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue in this way from the commencement of creation.”

(2 Peter 3:4)

 

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The Right Hand:

 

who being the radiance of his glory and the exact copy of his essence, and carrying all things by the word of his power, having made cleansing of our sins through himself, sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high; having become so much better than the angels, he has inherited a name more surpassing than them.

(Hebrews 1:3-4)

 

who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being subjected to him.

(1 Peter 3:22)

 

 

Pay Attention (προσέχειν):

 

For this very thing we must more abundantly pay attention [προσέχειν] to the things heard, lest at any time we should let slip.

(Hebrews 2:1)

 

And we have the more stable prophetic word, in which you do well, paying attention [προσέχοντες], as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns, and the morning star rises in your hearts.

(2 Peter 1:19)

 

 

Witnesses:

 

For if the word spoken by angels was confirmed, and every violation and failure to hear received a just requital, how shall we escape if we are careless of so great a salvation? Which, having received a commencement to be spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by the ones hearing.

(Hebrews 2:2-3)

 

For not obeying well-devised tales, but having become eye-witnesses of his magnificence, we made known to you the power and advent of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(2 Peter 1:16)

 

As with Hebrews 1:2 (“in these last days he spoke to us by the Son”), the “us” means all believers. It was “confirmed to all believers by those who heard.” He is not ruling himself out from the original hearers, but rather is identifying himself with every believer.

 

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Subjected:

 

You subjected all things under his feet. For in subjecting all things to him, he left nothing not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things being subjected to him.

(Hebrews 2:8)

 

who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being subjected to him.

(1 Peter 3:22)

 

 

Suffered:

 

But we do see Jesus, who was made a little less than the angels, for the suffering of death having bestowed honour with glory and dignity, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

(Hebrews 2:9)

 

For in that he himself has suffered, having been tested, he is able to help those being tested.

(Hebrews 2:18)

 

Christ, then, having suffered for us in the flesh, you also arm yourselves with the same moral understanding. For he suffering in the flesh has ceased from sin,

(1 Peter 4:1)

 

 

Shared:

 

Since, then, the children have shared of flesh and blood, he also likewise shared in the same, that through death he might nullify the one having the power of death, that is, the Devil.

(Hebrews 2:14)

 

but as you have share in the afflictions of Christ, be cheerful so that you may rejoice exultingly in the revelation of his glory.

(1 Peter 4:13)

 

 

A House (οἶκός):

 

And Moses indeed was trustful in all his house as an attendant, for a testimony of the things having been spoken; but Christ as a son over his house, whose house [οἶκός] we are, if indeed we should hold fast the boldness and the boast of the expectation to the end.

(Hebrews 3:5-6)

 

also yourselves, as living stones, are being constructed, a spiritual house [οἶκος], a holy priestly order to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

(1 Peter 2:5)

 

The believers compared to a house.

 

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Moral Understanding (ἐννοιῶν):

 

For the word of God is alive and active and sharper than every double-edged knife, even piercing as far as the division of both soul and spirit, of both joints and marrows, and is able to discern the deliberations and moral understandings [ἐννοιῶν] of the heart.

(Hebrews 4:12)

 

Christ, then, having suffered for us in the flesh, you also arm yourselves with the same moral understanding [ἔννοιαν]. For he suffering in the flesh has ceased from sin.

(1 Peter 4:1)

 

These two verses are the only two places in the NT where this word ἐννοιῶν is used.

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Account/Word (λόγος):

 

And there is no creation unseen in his presence, but all things are naked and laid bare to the eyes of him, with whom is our own account [λόγος].

(Hebrews 4:13)

 

They will return word [λόγον] to the one ready to judge the living and dead.

(1 Peter 4:5)

 

 

Milk (γάλα), Infants:

 

For indeed because of the time you ought to be teachers, you need have someone to teach you what are the principles of the commencement of the divine-revelation of God, and have become in need of milk [γάλακτος] and not of solid food. For everyone eating of milk [γάλακτος] is without experience in the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.

(Hebrews 5:12-13)

 

as new-born infants, desire the sincere rational milk [γάλα], that by it you may grow.

(1 Peter 2:2)

 

The only other NT of “milk” usage is 1 Corinthians 3:2 and 9:7. In the former verse Paul uses “milk” the same way (“I gave you milk to drink and not food, for you were not yet ready for it”). These are only three places in the NT where “milk” is used as a learning metaphor.

 

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Tasted (ἐγεύσασθε):

 

For it is an impossibility for those at a single time being enlightened and having tasted [γευσαμένους] of the celestial gift and becoming sharers of the Holy spirit, and having tasted [γευσαμένους] the good word of God and the powers of the age about to be.

(Hebrews 6:4-5)

 

if indeed you have tasted [ἐγεύσασθε] that the Lord is kind.

(1 Peter 2:3)

 

1 Peter is quoting Psalm 34:8, but no other NT writer uses the word “tasted” apart from Hebrews.

 

 

Antitype (ἀντίτυπον):

 

For the Christ did not enter into most-sacred places made by hands, antitypes [ἀντίτυπα] of the truthful things, but into heaven itself, now to exhibit in the presence of God for us.

(Hebrews 9:24)

 

Which antitype [ἀντίτυπον] now also saves us; immersion; not of a putting off of the dirt of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(1 Peter 3:21)

 

These verses are the only times this word “antitype” is used in the NT.

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One Time (ἅπαξ):

 

And as it is reserved to people to die a single time, and after this judgment, in this way Christ, having been offered up a single time [ἅπαξ] to bear the sins of many, will be seen a second time, separate from sin, to those fully expecting him, for salvation.

(Hebrews 9:27-28)

 

Because even Christ suffered once [ἅπαξ] for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God; indeed being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.

(1 Peter 3:18)

 

Both Peter and Hebrews show interest in the theme of Christ’s sacrifice as a singular time, a once and for all.

 

 

Conscience:

 

Let us approach with a truthful heart, in full assurance of faith, our hearts having been sprinkled from an evil conscience and our body having been washed in clean water.

(Hebrews 10:22)

 

Having a good conscience, that when they speak against you as wrong doers, those slandering your good behaviour in Christ may be put to shame.

(1 Peter 3:16)

 

Which antitype now also saves us; immersion; not of a putting off of the dirt of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(1 Peter 3:21)

 

 

God’s Judgement:

 

How much worse punishment do you think he will be thought worthy of, having trampled down on the Son of God, and having deemed unclean the blood of the covenant in which he was made holy, and having insulted the spirit of grace! For we know the one having said, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the LORD. And again, The LORD will judge his people. It is a frightful thing to fall into the hands of the living God!

(Hebrews 10:29-31)

 

Because the time has come to begin the condemnation from the house of God; and if firstly from us, what will be the end of those disbelieving the good news of God?

(1 Peter 4:17)

 

 

Noah, Constructing (κατεσκεύασεν):

 

By faith Noah, being admonished about the things not yet being seen, apprehensive, constructed (κατεσκεύασεν) an ark for the salvation his household; by which he passed sentence over the world, and became heir of the righteousness according to faith.

(Hebrews 11:7)

 

to disbelieving-ones, when once the patience of God waited in the days of Noah, an ark having been constructed (κατασκευαζομένης), into which a few, that is, eight souls, were preserved through water.

(1 Peter 3:20)

 

And did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, the eighth, a proclaimer of righteousness, bringing in a deluge on the world of ungodly-ones.

(2 Peter 2:5)

 

The only time Noah is mentioned outside the Gospels, or his ark, or to save his family, and both mention “constructing” the arc. The word κατεσκεύασεν, kataskeuazó (construct, or prepare), is only used outside the Gospels in Hebrews and 1 Peter.

 

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Visitors (παρεπίδημοί):

 

All these died by way of faith, not having received the promises, but seeing them from afar; and being persuaded and having confessed that they are aliens and visitors [παρεπίδημοί] on the earth.

(Hebrews 11:13)

 

Peter, a delegate of Jesus Christ, to the select resident foreigners [παρεπιδήμοις] of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia.

(1 Peter 1:1)

 

Dearly beloved, I implore you as foreigners and visitors [παρεπιδήμους], to refrain from fleshly longings which fight against the soul.

(1 Peter 2:1)

 

These are the only three occasions where παρεπιδήμους is used in the NT.

 

 

Overseeing (ἐπισκοποῦντες):

 

Pursue peace and holiness with all, apart from which no one will see the Lord; overseeing [ἐπισκοποῦντες], lest any fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness growing up may trouble you, and through this many be polluted.

(Hebrews 12:14-15)

 

Tend as shepherds to the flock of God among you, exercising oversight [ἐπισκοποῦντες], not by necessity but voluntarily, not sordidly but willingly.

(1 Peter 5:2)

 

These are the only places where this word ἐπισκοποῦντες is used in the NT.

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Blood Sprinkling (ῥαντισμοῦ):

 

And to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant; and to the blood of sprinkling [ῥαντισμοῦ] speaking better things than Abel.

(Hebrews 12:24)

 

according to the forethought of God the Father, in holiness of the spirit, to submission and sprinkling [ῥαντισμὸν] of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

(1 Peter 1:2)

 

The only two times ῥαντισμὸν is used in the NT.

 

 

Brotherly Affection (φιλαδελφία):

 

Let brotherly affection (φιλαδελφία) remain.

(Hebrews 13:1)

 

and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection (φιλαδελφίαν) with love.

(2 Peter 1:7)

 

The only other NT use of φιλαδελφία is in Romans 12:10

 

 

Hospitable:

 

Do not neglect hospitality (φιλοξενίας), for by this some hosted angels unaware.

(Hebrews 13:2)

 

Be hospitable (φιλόξενοι) to one another, without grumblings.

(1 Peter 4:9)

 

These are related words and rarely used. The only other use of the Hebrews word φιλοξενίας is in Romans 12:3. The only other use of the 2 Peter word φιλόξενοι is in 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:8.

 

 

Spiritual Sacrifice:

 

Through him, then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of the lips confessing to his name.

(Hebrews 13:15)

 

also yourselves, as living stones, are being constructed, a spiritual house, a holy priestly order to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

(1 Peter 2:5)

 

Hebrews quotes Psalms 50:14 and 107:22. 1 Peter continues the theme of spiritual sacrifices.

 

 

Leaders, Giving Account:

 

Put trust in those taking the lead, and yield to them, for they stay awake for your souls, returning an account, that they may do this with joy and not with moaning, for that would be of no help to you.

(Hebrews 13:17)

 

Tend as shepherds to the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not by necessity but voluntarily, not sordidly but willingly; not as controlling over your acquisitions, but becoming patterns to the flock.

(1 Peter 5:2-3)

 

But make holy Christ as the Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defence to everyone asking you a word concerning the expectation in you; with humility and fear.

(1 Peter 3:15)

 

 

The Shepherd:

 

Now the God of peace having led up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep [ποιμένα τῶν προβάτων τὸν μέγαν], in the blood of the everlasting covenant, our Lord Jesus,

(Hebrews 13:20)

 

For you were roaming sheep, but have now turned back to [Isaiah 53:6] the Shepherd [Ποιμένα] and Overseer of your souls.

(1 Peter 2:25)

 

And at the appearing of the Chief Shepherd [ἀρχιποίμενος], you will receive the enduring wreath of glory.

(1 Peter 5:4)

 

The only time in NT that Christ is called the Shepherd, and the only times this word is used outside the Gospels.

 

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Brief:

 

And, brethren, I implore you, patiently endure the word of encouragement, for I indeed wrote to you briefly.

(Hebrews 13:22)

 

By Silvanus, the trustful brother as I estimate, I wrote briefly, encouraging and solemnly testifying this to be the true grace of God, in which you stand.

(1 Peter 5:12)

 

Peter is the only NT writer to apologise for not writing more.

 

 

Italy/Rome:

 

Know that brother Timothy, having been released, with whom, if I should come soon, I will see you. Salute all those leading you, and all the holy-ones. Those from Italy salute you.

(Hebrews 13:23-24)

 

The co-selected in Babylon salutes you, and Mark my son.

(1 Peter 5:13)

 

 

Evidence Six:

Perhaps the most compelling in showing that Peter wrote Hebrews is the use of Psalm 118.  All four Gospels quoted the following:

 

Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.

(Psalm 118:26, quoted in Matthew 21:9, 23:39; Mark 11:9; Luke 13:35, 19:38; John 12:13)

 

Three of the Gospels quote this verse:

 

This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

(Psalm 118:23, quoted in Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:11, Luke 20:17)

 

Acts has this quote:

 

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

(Psalm 118:22, used in Acts 4:11)

 

Hebrews has:

 

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The Lord taketh my part with them that help me.

(Hebrews 13:6, quoting Psalm 118:6-7)

 

1 Peter has:

 

The stone which those constructing disapproved, this one came to be used for the head of the corner.

(Psalm 118:22, used in 1 Peter 2:7)

 

And that Psalm 118 quote in Acts? It was spoken by Peter. Outside the Gospels and Acts, Psalm 118 is quoted only in Hebrews and 1 Peter, by Peter.

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