The Ransom Theory of the Atonement

The Ransom Theory of the Atonement states that the death of Jesus was primarily a ransom payment to rescue us from what held us captive.

There are three branches of this theory:

1. Ransom to the Devil – the death of Jesus was a ransom to the Devil to free man from his power
2. Ransom paid to the powers of evil
3. Christus Victor – The resurrection of Jesus was a victory over powers that held men in bondage

In the video below, we will look at Christus Victor in a separate video because this aspect of the theory has a life of its own. In this video we will consider the idea of the death of Jesus being a ransom payment to the Devil and a ransom payment to the powers of evil.

Of course, I believe that penal substitution is at the heart of the atonement, but was the death of Jesus also a ransom? The Bible is clear that it was.

And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:27-28)

And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Mark 10:44-45)

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

However, in what way was a ransom? With every ransom, we must ask three questions:

1. Who paid the ransom?
2. What was the payment?
3. To whom was it paid?
4. Who or what was ransomed?

Biblical ransom is the idea that God the Father paid the ransom payment of Jesus to Himself, rescuing us from the power of sin.