Of the Office of Our Blessed Saviour explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Religion and Civil Authority

  Hobbes argues that Christ's earthly ministry did not challenge civil authority, as He commanded obedience to the Pharisees and payment of tribute to Caesar, and His kingdom is reserved for the world to come.

• Sovereignty and Absolute Power

  The chapter examines Christ's future kingly sovereignty as subordinate to God the Father, analogous to Moses and the high priests, and distinguishes it from earthly political power.

• Human Nature and Passions

  The discussion of redemption and the atonement touches on human sinfulness and the need for a sacrificial ransom, reflecting Hobbes's view of human nature and the passions that lead to rebellion.

Characters to notice

• Jesus Christ

  Discussed as the Messiah with three offices: Redeemer, Prophet/Teacher, and King; His sacrifice and resurrection are analyzed, and His earthly ministry is shown to be non-political.

• Moses

  Used as a type of Christ's kingly office; Christ is likened to Moses in choosing twelve apostles and seventy elders, and in being a subordinate vicegerent of God.

• Aaron

  Mentioned in the context of the Day of Atonement ritual where he sacrificed a bullock for himself and the priests, and handled the two goats.

• Saul

  Referenced as the king whose election by the Israelites constituted a rebellion that cut off the old covenant, which Christ came to restore.

• Pilate

  Mentioned as the Roman governor who delivered Jesus to be crucified but declared Him innocent and refused to alter the title 'King of the Jews'.

• Isaac

  Cited as a type of Christ in the Old Testament, alongside the scapegoat, prefiguring Christ's sacrifice.

Key passages

• “We find in Holy Scripture three parts of the office of the Messiah: the first of a 'Redeemer' or 'Saviour'; the second of a 'pastor,' 'counsellor,' or 'teacher,' that is, of a prophet sent from God to convert such as God hath elected to salvation: the third of a 'king,' an 'eternal king,' but under His Father, as Moses and the high priests were in their several times.”

  Scripture reveals that the Messiah has three roles: Redeemer, Prophet/Teacher, and King—the last being eternal yet subordinate to God, similar to the authority of Moses and the high priests.

  Hobbes outlines the threefold office of Christ, establishing the framework for the chapter.

• “My kingdom is not of this world.”

  Christ's reign is not a political or earthly dominion.

  Hobbes uses this verse (John 18:36) to argue that Christ's kingdom is eschatological, not a challenge to contemporary civil governments.

• “He was both the sacrificed goat, and the scapegoat; 'He was oppressed, and He was afflicted (Isaiah 53:7); He opened not His mouth; He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep is dumb before the shearer, so He opened not His mouth': here He is the 'sacrificed goat.' 'He hath borne our griefs (verse 4), and carried our sorrows': and again (verse 6), 'the Lord hath laid upon Him the iniquities of us all': and so He is the 'scapegoat.'”

  Christ fulfills both aspects of the Day of Atonement goats: He is the sacrificed goat in His death and the scapegoat in bearing away sins through His resurrection and ascension.

  Hobbes interprets the Levitical ritual as a typological foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive work.