"The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Ephesians 1:7). "Without shedding of blood is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22). "Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things... but with the precious blood of Christ" (1 Peter 1:18-19).
The blood of Jesus is Scripture's language for His atoning death: cleansing, redemption, and access to God. These twelve King James passages focus on what the blood accomplishes for sinners. This is not a Good Friday narrative timeline, not a study of the cross's meaning as symbol alone, and not primarily the Lord's Supper ordinance; for those, see Good Friday, the cross, and communion.
Cleansing and forgiveness
1. 1 John 1:7
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
Walking in the light brings fellowship and cleansing: the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin. Ongoing purity rests on His blood, not our record.
2. Ephesians 1:7
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"
Redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Forgiveness is blood-bought grace, not cheap overlook.
3. Hebrews 9:22
"And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."
Almost all things are by the law purged with blood; without shedding of blood is no remission. The whole Bible's sacrificial logic points here.
4. Revelation 1:5
"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,"
Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Love and washing meet at the cross.
Precious blood of atonement
5. 1 Peter 1:18-19
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"
Not silver or gold, but the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish. Our ransom price is priceless Person-blood.
6. Hebrews 9:12
"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption. Once for all, forever.
7. Romans 5:9
"Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."
Being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Justification and rescue from wrath rest on His blood.
8. Leviticus 17:11
"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."
It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Old Testament atonement prepared the categories fulfilled in Christ.
Access and overcoming
9. Hebrews 10:19
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,"
Having therefore boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. The blood opens access; fear gives way to bold nearness.
10. Hebrews 13:12
"Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate."
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Sanctification is blood-wrought.
11. Matthew 26:28
"For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Jesus interprets His death before it happens: covenant blood for forgiveness.
12. Revelation 12:11
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."
They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony. The blood is not only pardon; it is victory's ground.
A short prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your precious blood. Cleanse me from all sin, redeem me, and give me boldness to draw near. I rest in the blood You shed for the remission of sins. Help me overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony. Amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
Download our free SOAP study page · Get the SOAP Bible Study Journal
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about the blood of Jesus?
His blood cleanses from all sin (1 John 1:7), redeems and forgives (Ephesians 1:7), justifies (Romans 5:9), opens access to God (Hebrews 10:19), and is the price of our ransom (1 Peter 1:18-19).
Why is blood necessary for forgiveness?
Hebrews 9:22 says without shedding of blood there is no remission. Leviticus 17:11 taught that blood makes atonement; Christ's blood fulfills what animal blood only foreshadowed.
Is this the same as communion verses?
Related, but different focus. Communion pages explain the Lord's Supper ordinance. This page teaches the atoning meaning of Jesus' blood itself.
How should I respond to the blood of Jesus?
Trust Him for cleansing and forgiveness, draw near with boldness (Hebrews 10:19), and live as someone bought with a price (1 Peter 1:18-19).
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about the cross · Bible verses about Good Friday · Bible verses about communion · Bible verses about salvation · Bible verses about forgiveness
Explore more: All Bible verses by topic · KJV Bible verses · Verse of the day · Prayers · Bible study · Bible reading plans
