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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 10:28 mean?

Explanation

The verse Hebrews 10:28 speaks to the severity of the consequences faced by those who broke the Law of Moses in ancient Israel.

According to the Mosaic Law, certain offenses were punishable by death, provided there was testimony from two or three witnesses to affirm the person's guilt.

This verse emphasizes the idea that, under the old covenant, justice was swift and without mercy for those who willfully disobeyed the law. The deeper meaning points to the gravity of sin and the necessity of a proper judgment system to maintain societal order and obedience to God's commandments.

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Historical Context

Hebrews 10:28 comes from the New Testament letter to the Hebrews, which was addressed to a community of Jewish Christians during the first century AD.

The authorship of Hebrews is unknown, though some have traditionally attributed it to Paul.

The letter discusses the superiority of Christ's sacrifice over the old covenant and the rituals of Judaism.

In the historical context, the Jewish believers would have been quite familiar with the Mosaic Law and its strict penalties, making this comparison a powerful argument for the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice as the new and final covenant.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse could be interpreted in several ways:

Covenant Theology: It can be seen as a reference to the new covenant in Jesus Christ, contrasting the harsh penalties of the old law with the offer of grace and forgiveness in the new.
Divine Justice: The passage also reflects on the concept of divine justice and the necessity of punishment for sin, highlighting the rigorous standards under the old covenant.
Christ's Sacrifice: The broader context of Hebrews emphasizes that Christ's sacrifice renders the repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament obsolete, offering a once-for-all atonement for sins.

Different denominations may emphasize various aspects of these theological insights.

Practical Applications

The verse reminds believers of the importance of appreciating the sacrifice of Jesus and the grace that comes with the new covenant. It also serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for repentance. In daily life, this could translate into:

Acknowledging the seriousness of moral and ethical failings.
Fostering gratitude for the mercy available through faith in Jesus Christ.
Encouraging adherence to Christian teachings and moral conduct.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 17:6: "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness, he shall not be put to death."
Matthew 18:16: "But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established."
Hebrews 10:26: "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins."

Language Study

The phrase "died without mercy" in Greek is "χωρὶς οἰκτιρμῶν ἀποθνήσκει" ("choris oiktirmon apothneskei").

Here, "χωρὶς" means "without," "οἰκτιρμῶν" translates to "mercies" or "compassions," and "ἀποθνήσκει" is the present active indicative form of "to die." The original language carries a connotation of an absolute lack of compassion or pity in the execution of the death penalty, emphasizing the severity of the punishment.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing to other ancient legal systems, such as the Code of Hammurabi or the laws of ancient Egypt, the Mosaic Law was also strict, but unique in the sense that it was considered to be divinely given.

Other ancient law codes may have had similarly harsh penalties, but they were not typically ascribed directly to a deity's instructions for moral living and community governance.

Scientific Perspectives

While Hebrews 10:28 doesn't directly relate to scientific perspectives, it touches on the human understanding of justice and ethics, which can be studied through various fields such as sociology, psychology, and anthropology.

Modern science contributes to our understanding of human behavior and the effects of different systems of justice on societies.

Commentaries

Various Bible commentators have offered insights into this verse:

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible: Suggests that the punishment referenced is an allusion to certain capital crimes under the Mosaic Law, reinforcing the gravity of rejecting the gospel of Christ.
Matthew Henry's Commentary: Draws attention to the fairness of divine justice, that it is based on evidence established by multiple witnesses and that such justice should be acknowledged as a warning against apostasy.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible: Notes that under the law of Moses, there was a fair trial given, and no one was to be executed without a proper hearing, and also comments on the transition from the harshness of the law to the mercy and grace offered through Jesus.

Hebrews 10

Hebrews 10

What does Hebrews 10:28 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 10:28 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?