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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 10:20 mean?

Explanation

Hebrews 10:20 speaks metaphorically about the new way to approach God that was established by Jesus Christ's sacrifice.

In contrast to the Old Testament system where access to God was limited and could only be approached through rituals and sacrifices, this verse declares that Jesus has opened up a direct path to God ("a new and living way") for believers.

The phrase "through the veil" refers to the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies, the most sacred place where God's presence dwelt, from the rest of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Only the high priest could pass through this veil once a year on the Day of Atonement.

The assertion that the veil is symbolic of Jesus' flesh suggests that through his physical sacrifice, the barrier between God and humanity has been removed.

The concept of a "living way" indicates a dynamic and ongoing relationship with God that is made possible because of Jesus' role as the mediator who is both alive and present.

Top Rated Hebrews Books

Historical Context

During the time of the writing of Hebrews, the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem was the center of religious life and the place where sacrifices were offered to atone for sins.

The veil in the temple signified a separation between God and man, which indicated the holiness of God and the sinfulness of humanity.

This separation made it necessary for rituals and mediators (priests) to intercede on behalf of the people.

The epistle to the Hebrews was written to a community that likely had a Jewish-Christian background. They would have been familiar with the significance of the temple ceremonies. The letter explains how Jesus' sacrifice supersedes these rituals and sacrifices of the Old Covenant.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse encapsulates the concept that Jesus serves as the ultimate High Priest and sacrifice.

Theologians across various denominations often highlight this passage as affirming the complete and sufficient work of Christ on the cross.

It suggests that the old sacrificial system is no longer necessary because Jesus' sacrifice is once for all.

Catholic theology emphasizes the Eucharistic implications, seeing Christ's flesh offered in the Mass.

While traditional Protestant interpretations often stress the personal and immediate access to God granted through Christ's sacrifice.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, the teachings of Hebrews 10:20 encourage believers to approach God with confidence and faith in the adequacy of Jesus' sacrifice.

It implies that rituals or human mediators are not necessary to connect with God.

This can lead to a sense of personal responsibility in one's spiritual relationship and an emphasis on sincerity and authenticity in worship.

Cross-References

Hebrews 6:19-20: "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."
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;"
Ephesians 2:18: "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."

Language Study

The core linguistic elements in Hebrews 10:20 include:

"New" (Greek: "prosphatos") meaning "freshly slain," indicating that the way opened is both recent and living.
"Living" (Greek: "zōsē") representing something dynamic, active, and life-giving, in contrast to the old sacrificial system.
"Consecrated" (Greek: "egkainizo") meaning "inaugurated" or "initiated," referring to the establishment of a new and sacred way.
"Veil" (Greek: "katapetasma") refers to the curtain separating the Holy of Holies in the Temple, symbolically representing Christ's body in this context.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing Hebrews 10:20 with other religious traditions, one can look at the concept of intermediary figures and sacrificial systems.

For example, in ancient pagan practices, there were often rituals and sacrifices intended to appease gods and gain favor.

Similarly, in Judaism, the Temple rituals symbolized atonement and reconciliation with God.

Christianity, as represented in this verse, claims a unique approach where the intermediary (Christ) also serves as the sacrifice, establishing a direct way to God.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse itself does not directly engage with scientific themes but does relate to metaphysical claims about the nature of reality and existence.

From a scientific perspective, the concepts are abstract and untestable as they belong to the realm of religious faith and subjective experience rather than empirical observation.

Commentaries

Commentators offer a variety of insights into Hebrews 10:20.

Many emphasize the revolutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as both final and sufficient, contrasting it with the ongoing, repetitive sacrifices of the Old Testament.

They highlight the tearing of the veil at the moment of Jesus' death as a historical event that symbolized the end of the temple's sacrificial system.

Some focus on the idea that the believer now has the freedom and privilege to approach God directly, unmediated by ritual or clergy.

Hebrews 10

Hebrews 10

What does Hebrews 10:20 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 10:20 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?