There’s something almost poetic about the fact that one of the most theologically rich books in the New Testament comes with no signature. Powerful words, sure, but without an author to pin them to. 

The Book of Hebrews is one of the most mysterious books in the Bible when it comes to authorship. It has been debated for centuries, and let me tell you, there’s still no consensus. But why does this matter, or how could it change the way we read the New Testament? 

This is not just a nerdy academic question. It’s one that has real implications for how we understand the message of Hebrews and its place in the New Testament.

The Book of Hebrews was traditionally attributed to Paul, but most scholars today agree he likely wasn’t the author due to differences in writing style, vocabulary, and theological voice. Instead, names like Barnabas, Apollos, Luke, Clement of Rome, and even Priscilla have been proposed, each with some supporting clues but no definitive proof. 

If you skip this, you might miss a fascinating look at how authorship shaped the early Church, and how the mystery of Hebrews invites us to see faith differently.

In this article, we’ll look at the leading candidates (Paul, Barnabas, Apollos, Priscilla, etc), examine what clues the text itself offers, and look at how Hebrews managed to make it into the Bible despite the mystery surrounding its author.

For the Longest Time, Everyone Just Blamed Paul

For centuries, if you cracked open an early copy of the New Testament, chances are Hebrews was sitting right there next to Paul’s other letters, almost like it belonged there. 

The early church seemed pretty happy to let Paul take the credit. After all, who else could write something so theological, so focused on Jesus as the ultimate high priest? It just had to be Paul, right?

Well… not so fast.  See, the more you read Hebrews, the more it just doesn’t feel like Paul. 

For starters, Paul had a pretty distinct way of introducing himself: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus,” and so on. Hebrews, on the other hand, opens with a bold theological statement: 

“Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son…” (Hebrews 1:1–2, NRSV-CE). 

We also need to consider the style. The Greek in Hebrews is really polished. Paul’s writing tends to be a bit more rugged, even a little messy at times. And while Paul loved quoting Scripture, he usually leaned on the Hebrew text. 

The author of Hebrews uses the Greek Septuagint. That’s a pretty big clue.

There’s also a line in Hebrews 2:3 that makes you pause: “It was declared at first through the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.” 

The author says they learned the message secondhand, through those who heard Jesus, which doesn’t sound like Paul. He was adamant that he got the gospel straight from Jesus himself.

So…if not Paul, then who?

Other Suspects in the Lineup

Who’s left? Turns out, quite a few names have been thrown around over the years, some of them more convincing than others.

First up, there’s Barnabas. Tertullian, an early church writer, was all in on Barnabas being the author. It makes a certain kind of sense: Barnabas was a Levite, so he would’ve known the ins and outs of Jewish law, sacrifices, and the priesthood (major themes in Hebrews). Plus, he hung out with Paul, so they shared some theological ground.

Then there’s Apollos. This was Martin Luther’s pick, and it’s a pretty solid theory. Acts 18:24 (NRSV-CE) describes Apollos as an “eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures”. That kind of profile fits with the polished Greek and deep Old Testament knowledge we see in Hebrews. Apollos was also a key figure in the early church, and his background as an Alexandrian Jew gives him the cultural mix that could explain the style and content of Hebrews.

Some have also suggested Luke, the author behind the Gospel of Luke and Acts. The argument is that the Greek in Hebrews is super refined, and Luke was known for his polished style. But there’s no real proof linking him to Hebrews, just a hunch based on the literary tone.

And then there’s Clement of Rome, an early church leader who wrote one of the earliest Christian letters we have outside the New Testament. Some scholars think Clement’s writing sounds a lot like Hebrews, though, again, it’s a long shot.

But here’s the wildcard: Priscilla. A modern theory (first suggested by Adolf Harnack in the early 1900s) points to her as the author. She was a respected teacher in the early church, part of Paul’s circle, and the idea of a woman author might explain why Hebrews doesn’t include a name. It’s a fascinating theory, but we just don’t have the evidence to back it up.

So, where does that leave us? With a lot of good guesses, a few strong candidates, and no solid answers. The mystery deepens.

Clues from the Text: What the Author Lets Slip

The Book of Hebrews might not tell us who wrote it, but the text drops a few hints. 

First off, there’s Hebrews 2:3 (NRSV-CE): “It was declared at first through the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him”. That’s a big one. The author openly admits they weren’t an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry. That rules out Paul, who was always quick to say he received the gospel directly from Jesus, not secondhand.

Then there’s the mention of Timothy in Hebrews 13:23 (NRSV-CE): “I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been set free; if he comes in time, he will be with me when I see you.” So whoever wrote this knew Timothy personally, another link to Paul’s circle, but still, not conclusive.

And don’t miss the subtle nod to Italy in Hebrews 13:24 (NRSV-CE): “Those from Italy send you greetings.” Does that mean the author was writing from Italy? Or maybe writing to Italy? Or had friends there?

Finally, there’s the style and focus of Hebrews itself. The whole book is drenched in Old Testament references, with an intricate understanding of the priesthood, sacrifices, and Jewish temple practices. This wasn’t casual knowledge, so whoever wrote Hebrews knew their Torah.

In the end, the author stays in the shadows, but these little details (secondhand gospel knowledge, ties to Timothy, a mention of Italy, and a deep dive into Jewish theology) help narrow down the suspects. Just not enough to name the culprit.

A Text That Doesn’t Fit But Still Made The Cut

You don’t have to be a scholar to notice that Hebrews feels different from the rest of the New Testament. So, if no one’s sure who wrote Hebrews, how did it end up in the Bible at all? 

Back in the early centuries of the church, there was a lot of debate about which books were in and which were out. And Hebrews had a tough time making the cut, especially in the Western Church. 

In the end, it did. Why? Because the content is just too good to ignore. 

For starters, the theology in Hebrews is on another level. It’s the only book that goes deep on Jesus as the great high priest, linking him to Melchizedek, discussing the old sacrificial system, and showing how Jesus fulfilled it all.

Then there’s the style. The Greek is elegant, smooth, and polished, like the author was trained in rhetoric and knew how to build an argument that flowed. Hebrews reads more like a carefully crafted sermon than a letter. 

The Old Testament references are another big selling point. The book doesn’t stop at using quotes. It’s interpreting it, connecting the dots, and building a case for why Jesus is the ultimate fulfilment of the law. 

The early church recognized all of that, and over time, they started to accept Hebrews as part of the canon, even if the author’s name remained a question mark.

There’s also the fact that in the Eastern Church, Hebrews had been accepted pretty early on, largely because they were more comfortable with the idea that Paul might have written it. 

That East-West difference smoothed out eventually, but it shows how much the decision came down to theology and usefulness, not just authorship.

Today, Hebrews holds its place in the New Testament as a cornerstone of Christian thought. It’s quoted in sermons, studied in theology classes, and read devotionally by millions. The fact that we don’t know who wrote it just adds to the mystery, and, maybe, the beauty of it.

Final Thoughts: Maybe It’s Okay Not to Know

After all that digging, the answer is… we still don’t know who wrote the Book of Hebrews. It wasn’t Paul, probably. It might’ve been Barnabas, Apollos, Luke, Clement, or even Priscilla. Each theory has its strengths, but none are definitive.

At the end of the day, Hebrews stands as a powerful, anonymous masterpiece that calls us to focus on Jesus as the ultimate high priest, the perfect mediator, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. That message has stood the test of time, whether we know the author’s name or not.

If this topic sparked your curiosity, you’re not alone. Questions like this come up all the time in faith conversations, and that’s exactly why we built the Bible Chat App. It’s a space to ask questions, dig deeper into biblical mysteries, and explore the big themes of Scripture in an approachable way.

Who knows, maybe the next time you open Hebrews, you’ll find a new angle you hadn’t considered, and we’ll be here to explore it with you.

FAQs

Who’s the author of Hebrews?

We don’t know for sure. Paul was the early Church’s first guess, but most scholars today agree it probably wasn’t him. Other theories include Barnabas, Apollos, Luke, Clement of Rome, and even Priscilla. 

Why was the Book of Hebrews written?

Hebrews was written to encourage early Christians, especially those with a Jewish background, who were struggling with their faith. It emphasizes Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of the Old Testament, showing how He’s the true high priest and the perfect sacrifice.

Why is the Book of Hebrews so important?

Because it gives us one of the most theologically rich pictures of Jesus in the entire Bible. Hebrews connects the dots between the Old Testament and the New Testament, showing how Jesus completes the story of God’s redemption. It’s also the only New Testament book that goes into Jesus’ role as our high priest.

Why is the author of Hebrews unknown?

Some think it was intentional, maybe the author was well-known in the early church and didn’t feel the need to sign it, or maybe there were cultural reasons for keeping it anonymous (like if it was written by a woman, say, Priscilla). 

Is the Book of Hebrews in the Old Testament?

No, Hebrews is part of the New Testament. It focuses on Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament, but it was written after Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

When was the Book of Hebrews written?

Most scholars date Hebrews somewhere between 60 and 70 AD, before the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD, since the author talks about sacrifices as if they’re still happening.

Who were the Hebrews in the Book of Hebrews?

The “Hebrews” refers to Jewish Christians, believers who came from a Jewish background. The letter was written to encourage them to hold on to their faith in Jesus and not drift back to the old ways of the Law.

Who was the Book of Hebrews written to?

Most likely, it was written to a group of Jewish Christians who were facing persecution or pressure to give up on following Jesus and return to Judaism. The author wanted to remind them that Jesus is better. Better than angels, better than Moses, better than the old sacrificial system.

Where was Hebrews written?

That’s another mystery. Some clues, like the shoutout to people in Italy (Hebrews 13:24), suggest it may have been written either from Italy or to a community in Italy. But no one knows for sure.

Where is the Book of Hebrews in the Bible?

You’ll find Hebrews in the New Testament, right after Paul’s letters. It comes after Philemon and before James.

What style was Hebrews written in?

Hebrews is written in polished, elegant Greek, more like a sermon or a theological essay than a casual letter. It’s full of Old Testament references and builds a strong, logical case for Jesus as the perfect high priest and ultimate sacrifice.

What is the Book of Hebrews about?

The book is about how Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises. It shows how He’s greater than the angels, greater than Moses, and the perfect high priest who offered the final, once-for-all sacrifice for sin. It’s a deep, rich book that ties together the Old Testament story and the New Testament gospel.

References

• Attridge, H. W. (1989). Hebrews: A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews. Minneapolis: Fortress Press. 
• Bruce, F. F. (1990). The Epistle to the Hebrews (Revised ed.). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
• Ehrman, B. D. (2011). Forged: Writing in the Name of God—Why the Bible's Authors Are Not Who We Think They Are. New York: HarperOne.
• The Holy Bible (1993), New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition, New York: National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

The source of the images: Midjourney.com