Our Compassionate High Priest

14 Seeing then that we have a great (A)High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, (B)let us hold fast our confession. 15 For (C)we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but (D)was in all points tempted as we are, (E)yet without sin. 16 (F)Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Qualifications for High Priesthood

For every high priest taken from among men (G)is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can [a]have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to (H)weakness. Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for (I)himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as (J)Aaron was.

A Priest Forever

(K)So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:

(L)“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.”

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 5:2 deal gently with

Jesus the Great High Priest

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest(A) who has ascended into heaven,[a](B) Jesus the Son of God,(C) let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.(D) 15 For we do not have a high priest(E) who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are(F)—yet he did not sin.(G) 16 Let us then approach(H) God’s throne of grace with confidence,(I) so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God,(J) to offer gifts and sacrifices(K) for sins.(L) He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray,(M) since he himself is subject to weakness.(N) This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.(O) And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.(P)

In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory(Q) of becoming a high priest.(R) But God said(S) to him,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father.”[b](T)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 4:14 Greek has gone through the heavens
  2. Hebrews 5:5 Psalm 2:7