Although many in Johannine critical scholarship have argued against viewing Jesus' death as a vicarious atonement (e.g., Bultmann), their arguments have failed to adequately deal with the text of the Fourth Gospel (FG). Morgan-Wynne has recently published a concerted effort to demonstrate that atonement in the FG is indeed vicarious; however, his argumentation can be strengthened. In this discourse, I am arguing that John's understanding of Jesus' death is best seen in light of exodus typology, recognizing Jesus as the climactic fulfillment of exodus and New Exodus figures such as the Passover lamb and the Suffering Servant. Because John chose to portray Jesus in this light, a biblical-theological exegesis which takes these into account will illumine John's understanding of Jesus' death. The goal of this discourse then is to provide such an exegesis, in order to draw out some conclusions about Jesus' death in the FG.

Chapter 1 first establishes the study's methodology, then explores Hebrews' interest(s) in Leviticus as a pathway into Leviticus itself, sketching Hebrews' appropriation of the Day of Atonement, the high priest as sacrificial officiant, daily sacrifices, the inauguration of covenant and cult, and the twofold conception of purifying God's people and place. Chapter 2 offers a portrait of Levitical sacrifice, first examining its creational foundations, canonical precursors, and covenantal context, then surveying the various types of sacrifices. Following this, two topics which receive more detailed attention are the Day of Atonement and the forensic logic running through the cult, the latter seen in (1) the links between priesthood, sacrifice, and wrath, (2) the blood canon of Leviticus 17:11, (3) the concept of sin-bearing, and (4) the "biological" and "legal" nature of impurity. Chapter 3 briefly outlines some of the answers this survey of Leviticus brings to the text of Hebrews then details a number of questions it raises which subsequent study of Hebrews should engage.