Charles Ellicott Commentary Hebrews 12:24

"and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better than [that of] Abel." — Hebrews 12:24 (ASV)

And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.—Rather, a new covenant. There is another change in the Greek which it is not easy to express. In all other places in which we read of the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:8; Hebrews 8:13; Hebrews 9:15; Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25; 2 Corinthians 3:6) a word is used which implies newness of kind and quality; here it is a covenant which is newly made—literally “young,” having all the freshness of youth in comparison with that which long ago was growing old (Hebrews 8:13). Here also, if we follow the order of the original (Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 12:2, and other passages), the description precedes, and the name “Jesus” follows, thus standing between the words which describe His covenant and those which speak of His blood.

And to the blood of sprinkling.—Rather, and to blood of sprinkling that speaks better (or, more powerfully) than Abel. Jesus is Mediator of a new covenant (Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:15) through the shedding of His blood (Hebrews 9:15–17; Hebrews 10:29). This is “blood of sprinkling,” blood which cleanses the conscience from dead works to serve a living God (Hebrews 9:14): it was typified by the blood of the covenant with which Moses sprinkled all the people (Hebrews 9:19–20). Abel being dead yet speaketh (Hebrews 11:4), for his blood cries for vengeance. This blood speaks with greater power, and speaks not for wrath but for purification and atonement. 1 John 2:1–2 completes the contrast: God was the Avenger of “righteous Abel,” but Jesus Christ the righteous is our Advocate with the Father, and He is the propitiation for our sins.

It does not seem probable that the writer designs a detailed contrast between the several particulars of these verses and of Hebrews 12:18-21. The number in each case is the same (six), and in the case of the first and last some analogy may be traced; but this is all that can be said with safety. If our interpretation of these verses is correct, there is no mention of the Church on earth. But can we wonder at this? It is to that living Church that the words themselves are from age to age addressed. They describe the blessed heavenly fellowship to which each servant of Christ now toiling on earth is joined: when he has run the race set before him, he will, through the blood of sprinkling and through Jesus the Mediator, reach the company of the just made perfect, and stand before the “God of all.”