Exposition of Hebrews 4:14 on Jesus as High Priest
Hebrews 4:14 declares, "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession" (KJV) [1]. This verse serves as a pivotal summary of the epistle's message and introduces the extensive theological discussion of Jesus' role as High Priest, which continues through Hebrews 10:25 [2].
The immediate context of Hebrews 4:14 follows an exhortation to believers to strive to enter God's rest, warning against unbelief and disobedience, drawing parallels with Israel's wilderness generation [2]. The author then presents Jesus as the ultimate High Priest, contrasting Him with the Levitical priesthood. The term "great high priest" emphasizes Jesus' superior dignity and the efficacy of His sacrifice compared to the Aaronic priests [4, 6]. The Israelite high priest was the central figure in worship and the primary mediator between God and the people, as seen in texts like Exodus 31:10 and Leviticus 4:3 [2].
A key aspect highlighted in this verse is that Jesus "is passed into the heavens" [1]. This signifies His ascension into the immediate presence of God, beyond the earthly tabernacle or temple that the Levitical high priest entered [4]. This act establishes Jesus' priesthood as superior, as He entered the true, heavenly sanctuary, not merely an earthly copy [2, 4]. Thomas Aquinas notes that the priest's office is to mediate between God and people, both by bestowing divine things and by offering prayers and making satisfaction for sins [5]. Jesus fulfills this role perfectly.
The phrase "Jesus the Son of God" underscores His divine nature, which contributes to His greatness as High Priest [1, 4]. This divine identity, combined with His humanity, allows Him to be a sympathetic and faithful High Priest, as further elaborated in Hebrews 4:15 [3, 7]. John Gill emphasizes that Jesus is called a "great" high priest due to the dignity of His person, the virtue of His sacrifice, and the heavenly place where He now officiates [6]. The exhortation to "hold fast our profession" is a direct consequence of having such a High Priest, encouraging endurance and steadfastness in faith [2, 7]. This profession refers to the confession of faith in Christ [1].
Sources
- King James Version “[KJV] Hebrews 4:14 — Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 4:14: 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 entere”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 2:17: 2:17-18 These verses introduce Jesus’ role as our merciful and faithful High Priest, which is fully discussed in the central section of Hebrews (4:14–10:25). • It was necessary for him to share our humanity (see 5:1).”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 4:14: Seeing then--Having, therefore; resuming Heb 2:17. great--as being "the Son of God, higher than the heavens" (Heb 7:26): the archetype and antitype of the legal high priest. passed into the heavens--rather, "passed through the heavens," namely, those which come between us and God, the aerial heaven, and that above the latter containing the heavenly bodies, the sun, moon, &c. These heavens were the veil which our High Priest passed through into the heaven of heavens, the immediate presence of God, just as the Levitical high priest passed through th”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Priesthood of Christ, Art. 1: Article: Whether it is fitting that Christ should be a priest? I answer that, The office proper to a priest is to be a mediator between God and the people: to wit, inasmuch as He bestows Divine things on the people, wherefore "sacerdos" [priest] means a giver of sacred things [sacra dans], according to Malachi 2:7: "They shall seek the law at his," i.e. the priest's, "mouth"; and again, forasmuch as he offers up the people's prayers to God, and, in a manner, makes satisfaction to God for their sins; where”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 4:13: Seeing then that we have a great high priest,.... That Christ is a priest, and an high priest, has been observed already, in Heb 2:1 but here he is called a great one, because of the dignity of his person, as follows, and the virtue of his sacrifice; and because of the place where he now officiates as a priest, heaven and with respect to the continuation of his priesthood; and likewise because he makes others priests unto God; and this great high priest is no other than the Word of God before spoken of: so the divine Logos, or Word, is often called a priest, and an h”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 4:15: For--the motive to "holding our profession" (Heb 4:14), namely the sympathy and help we may expect from our High Priest. Though "great" (Heb 4:14), He is not above caring for us; nay, as being in all points one with us as to manhood, sin only excepted, He sympathizes with us in every temptation. Though exalted to the highest heavens, He has changed His place, not His nature and office in relation to us, His condition, but not His affection. Compare Mat 26:38, "watch with me": showing His desire in the days of His flesh for the sympathy of those whom H”