JESUS IS GREATER THAN

SPECIAL TOPIC: JESUS IS GREATER THAN

The Gospels — Jesus is greater than:
1. the temple, Matt. 12:6; John 4:20-24
2. Jonah, Matt. 12:41
3. Solomon, Matt. 12:42
4. Jacob, John 4:12
5. John the Baptist, John 5:36
6. Abraham, John 8:53,58
7. the Mosaic Law, Matt. 5:21-48 (esp, vv. 31-32)
  1. the Sabbath ‒ Mark 2:23-28 (also noe Matt. 12:1-8)
  2. Levitical food laws ‒ Mark 7:19
  3. the temple ‒ John 4:19-26
  4. the Law and the Prophets (i.e. old covenant) only until John the Baptist ‒ Luke 16:16; Rom. 3:19-31; Heb. 7:18-20
  5. the High Priest ‒ Matt. 26:63-67
  These would have been shocking statememts to first century Jews. They clearly and fully express the priority of Jesus. Jesus is YHWH's ultimate revelation. He is Lord of Scripture. His revelation exceeds, fulfills, and universalizes OT revelation (i.e. Matt. 5:17-19)!
The Book of Hebrews — The heart of the book of Hebrews is the comparison between the Mosaic Covenant the New Covenant in Christ.
This contrast is often expressed by the term "greater" (kreittōu/kreissōu), which means "better," "superior," "more excellent," "more valuable," "higher rank." This is a recurrent theme in Hebrews.
1. much better than the angels (cf. Heb. 1:4)
2. better things concerning you (cf. Heb. 6:9)
3. lesser is blessed by the greater (cf. Heb. 7:7)
4. a better hope (cf. Heb. 7:19)
5. a better covenant (cf. Heb. 7:22; 8:6)
6. with better sacrifice (cf. Heb. 9:23)
7. a better possession (cf. Heb. 10:34)
8. a better resurrection (cf. Heb. 11:35)
9. a better country (cf. Heb. 11:16)
10. God has provided something better (cf. Heb. 11:40)
11. he sprinkled blood speaks better (cf. Heb. 12:24)

Special Topic: The Superiority of the New Covenant Over the Mosaic Covenant