The question and the cs show that huge gap in being able to reconcile the NT writings with those of the OT.
And honestly, until we resolve this, we will keep getting questions like this from people, whether or not we like it.
Here's how I'll put it.
The sacrifice of Jesus fulfilled the work of redemption. So let's explain REDEMPTION/REDEEMED
When you read the word redemption in the Greek disconnected from the Hebrew, you'd miss a major truth of what was done.
The word redeem is the word gaal in Hebrew, and the closest word in today's language is next of kin. The next of kin is one who claims what belongs to another.
Using Abraham as an example, God becomes his next of kin to redeem Israel from Egypt because of the covenant he had with Abraham. Kinsman redeemer!
The Greek couldn't get the exact description of the word gaal, so they had to use a couple of words to communicate the same action. Words like apolutrosis, lutroo, lutrosis, lutron, and even exagorazo.
These words describe the details of the acts of gaal, showing the value of the work.
The children of Israel; they're in Egypt, in slavery, and the act of their deliverance is gaal
In the NT culture, later than the Hebrew, describing that same act, they say you pay a lutron.
This lets you see that the Greek words describe the value and not the acts.
The word lutron or lutrosis has nothing to do with anyone receiving anything (remember the word gaal and the activities entail), it's simply saying someone was delivered, set free.
For instance, if one says, "I paid a huge price to become what I am today", you'd definitely not ask "to whom."
This is close to it. You'd look at the effort, value, and worth of what he did instead.
Lutrosis, lutrosis, and apolutrosis are to say what was done is of high value, of high worth.
Egypt here becomes a prototype of what God will do to the world.
So, until you read the word redemption from the gaal of the OT, you'll keep thinking it's an exchange of a slave for a price.
Whereas it only means the slave has, enjoys, and can access the privilege of value of the party in covenant with the deliverer who becomes the next of kin.
Hope this helps!
he sacrificed his only son for my sins, to who?