Heb 4:14-15 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Heb 4:14-16: 4:14-16 These key verses conclude the exhortation begun at 3:1 and introduce the lengthy treatment of Jesus’ role as High Priest (4:14–10:25 ). 4:14 This verse effectively summarizes the whole message and challenge of Hebrews; the high priesthood of Jesus the Son of God is the basis for endurance in the Christian faith. • a great High Priest: Israel’s high priest was the main leader in the worship of God and the primary mediator between God and the people (see Exod 31:10 ; Lev 4:3 ; 2 Kgs 12:10 ; 2 Chr 26:20 ). • who has entered heaven: The earthly high priests entered God’s presence in the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:1-25 ). By contrast, Jesus, our High Priest, has entered God’s presence in heaven, and there he remains (Heb 7:26 ; 9:11-12 , 23-26 ). • let us hold firmly: An enduring commitment to active belief in and allegiance to Jesus (see also Col 2:19 ; 2 Thes 2:15 ; Rev 2:13 , 25 ; 3:11 ).

Summary for Heb 4:14-16: 4:14-16 ^a These key verses conclude the exhortation begun at 3:1 ^b and introduce the lengthy treatment of Jesus’ role as High Priest (4:14–10:25 ^c). 4:14 ^d This verse effectively summarizes the whole message and challenge of Hebrews; the high priesthood of Jesus the Son of God is the basis for endurance in the Christian faith.

• a great High Priest: Israel’s high priest was the main leader in the worship of God and the primary mediator between God and the people (see Exod 31:10 ^e; Lev 4:3 ^f; 2 Kgs 12:10 ^g; 2 Chr 26:20 ^h).

• who has entered heaven: The earthly high priests entered God’s presence in the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:1-25 ⁱ). By contrast, Jesus, our High Priest, has entered God’s presence in heaven, and there he remains (Heb 7:26 ^j; 9:11-12 ^k, 23-26 ^l).

• let us hold firmly: An enduring commitment to active belief in and allegiance to Jesus (see also Col 2:19 ^m; 2 Thes 2:15 ⁿ; Rev 2:13 ^o, 25 ^p; 3:11 ^q).
4:15 ^r Our High Priest understands our weaknesses, our human pull toward sin, because he faced all of the same testings we do. He was tempted with all the essential aspects of sin, such as lust, greed, unforgiveness, and dishonesty. This makes him compassionate as our High Priest (5:2 ^s).

• yet he did not sin: Jesus is unlike the earthly high priests, who had to make offerings for their own sins before they could make offerings for the people (5:3 ^t; 7:26-28 ^u; see also 1 Pet 2:22-23 ^v).