PrevHebrews 10:19Next

Hebrews 10

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;

Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

And having an high priest over the house of God;

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

What does Hebrews 10:19 mean?

Explanation

Hebrews 10:19 is a significant verse in the New Testament that speaks about the new and living way that Christians have to approach God, which is made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus.

The "holiest" refers to the innermost part of the Jewish Temple, the Holy of Holies, where the presence of God was believed to dwell and which only the High Priest could enter once a year on the Day of Atonement.

However, the author of Hebrews is saying that through the blood of Jesus, not just a select few, but all believers can now confidently "enter into the holiest."

This implies a boldness or confidence in being able to approach God directly, without the need for an intermediary priest or sacrificial system.

The verse expresses the idea that the old covenant, which required continual sacrifices and the mediation of human priests, is fulfilled and superseded by the new covenant in which Jesus is the ultimate priest and sacrifice.

Top Rated Hebrews Books

Historical Context

Hebrews was written to a group of Jewish Christians who were likely familiar with the rituals and significance of the Temple in Jerusalem, including the significance of the Holy of Holies.

At that time, the Jewish Temple and sacrificial system were still active, and the concept of Jesus as the ultimate High Priest who enters the Holy of Holies on behalf of all believers would have been a radical shift from their traditional understanding of how one attains righteousness and accesses God.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse speaks to key concepts of atonement, mediation, and access to God.

Different theological viewpoints might focus on how this verse reflects the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice as opposed to repeated animal sacrifices, underscores the role of Jesus as the mediator of a new covenant, or signifies the breakdown of barriers between God and humanity.

The verse also resonates with the concept of Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and laws.

Practical Applications

The teaching of this verse can be applied in daily life in various ways.

It can encourage believers to approach God with confidence in prayer and in their relationship with Him, knowing that access to God is not limited to a chosen few or contingent on repeated religious observances.

It also challenges Christians to live in the reality of this new covenant, which means embracing grace and forsaking any belief in works-based righteousness.

Cross-References

Ephesians 2:18: "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."
Hebrews 4:16: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
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."
Matthew 27:51: "And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;"

Language Study

The key phrase in the original Greek language is "την παρρησιαν εις την εισοδον των αγιων" (tēn parrēsian eis tēn eisodon tōn hagiōn). "την παρρησιαν" (parrēsian) can be translated as "boldness" or "confidence," conveying a freedom of speech or openness in communication. "εις την εισοδον" (eis tēn eisodon) means "into the entrance" or "entryway," and "των αγιων" (tōn hagiōn) refers to "the holiest" or "the holy places," indicating the most sacred area of the temple.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient religions, access to the divine was also often restricted to priests and holy individuals.

The concept of a holy, untouchable place where only a certain few could enter is common in many cultures. The shift in Christianity to the idea that all people have direct access to God through Jesus would have been a significant divergence from other religious traditions of the time.

Scientific Perspectives

While Hebrews 10:19 is primarily theological and spiritual in nature, modern science may contribute to the discussion through the study of psychology and sociology, examining how beliefs about accessibility to the divine influence individual behavior and societal structures.

The idea of having "boldness" or a confident approach to life is a topic of psychological interest, particularly in understanding how spiritual beliefs impact mental health and social interactions.

Commentaries

Commentators on the Book of Hebrews often elaborate on the symbolism of the Temple and the role of Jesus as the High Priest.

For instance, the Expositor's Bible Commentary explains the parallel between the Day of Atonement and Jesus' sacrifice.

The New International Commentary on the New Testament emphasizes the radical nature of the believer's access to God through Christ in contrast to the Old Testament sacrificial system.

Matthew Henry's Commentary draws practical implications for the believer's approach to worship and prayer, asserting the believer’s privilege to have such direct access to God.

Hebrews 10

Hebrews 10

What does Hebrews 10:19 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Hebrews Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Hebrews 10:19 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Hebrews Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?