Jesus as High Priest in Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate High Priest, a central theme developed throughout the book [11, 12]. This understanding of Jesus is introduced early, with the author urging believers to "consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus" (Hebrews 3:1) [2]. This role is foundational to the epistle's message, serving as the basis for endurance in Christian faith [12].
The concept of a priest, in general, refers to one who offers sacrifices, a role initially held by heads of families like Noah or Abraham before being formalized under the Levitical system to the family of Aaron [5]. Josephus provides historical context for the succession and garments of these priests [4, 6]. However, Hebrews argues for Jesus's superiority over the Levitical priesthood [3].
Jesus's high priesthood is described as being "according to the order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 6:20) [1]. This order is distinct from the Aaronic priesthood, which was temporary and imperfect [3]. Melchizedek, a figure mentioned in Genesis 14:18, is presented as a priest-king without recorded genealogy, foreshadowing Christ's unique and eternal priesthood [3, 5]. Unlike the Levitical priests who were numerous and died, Jesus has an "unchangeable priesthood" because he lives forever [3].
Key aspects of Jesus's high priestly ministry include:
- Divine Appointment: Jesus did not glorify himself but was appointed by God to this office (Hebrews 5:5) [3, 9].
- Perfection and Purity: Jesus is described as "of unblemished purity" and "perfect" or "complete" through his sufferings, qualifying him as the source of eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:9; 7:26, 28) [3, 8].
- Superior Sacrifice: Earthly high priests entered the Holy of Holies with the blood of animals, but Jesus "entered heaven" itself, offering himself as a single, perfect sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 9:14, 26; 10:18) [3, 12, 13]. This sacrifice was superior to all others and needed to be offered only once [3].
- Intercession: Having offered himself, Jesus "ever appeareth in the presence of God for us," continuing his sacerdotal office [9]. He is a "great high priest" because of his divine person, the virtue of his sacrifice, and his ongoing intercession in heaven [10].
The author of Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus's humanity was necessary for his role as a merciful and faithful High Priest, enabling him to sympathize with human weaknesses (Hebrews 2:17-18; 5:1) [8, 11]. As the High Priest, Jesus rules over God's house, which is the people of God [7].
Sources
- Hebrews “Hebrews 6:20 (LITV) — where Jesus entered as forerunner for us, having become a High Priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”
- Hebrews “Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus; -- Hebrews 3:1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ, the High Priest — Appointed and called by God -- Heb 3:1,2; 5:4,5. After the order of Melchizedek -- Ps 110:4; Heb 5:6; 6:20; 7:15,17. Superior to Aaron and the Levitical priests -- Heb 7:11,16,22; 8:1,2,6. Consecrated with an oath -- Heb 7:20,21. Has an unchangeable priesthood -- Heb 7:23,28. Is of unblemished purity -- Heb 7:26,28. Faithful -- Heb 3:2. Needed no sacrifice for himself -- Heb 7:27. Offered himself a sacrifice -- Heb 9:14,26. His sacrifice superior to all others -- Heb 9:13,14,23. Offered sacrifice but once -- Heb 7:27; 9:25,26. Made reconcili”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 10, section 1: . An Enumeration Of The High Priests.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Priest — The Heb. kohen, Gr. hierus, Lat. sacerdos, always denote one who offers sacrifices. At first every man was his own priest, and presented his own sacrifices before God. Afterwards that office devolved on the head of the family, as in the cases of Noah (Gen. 8:20), Abraham (12:7; 13:4), Isaac (26:25), Jacob (31:54), and Job (Job 1:5). The name first occurs as applied to Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18). Under the Levitical arrangements the office of the priesthood was limited to the tribe of Levi, and to only one family of that tribe, the family of Aaron. Certain laws”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 7, section 1: . Concerning The Garments Of The Priests, And Of The High Priest.”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 10:21: 10:21 Jesus, as Messiah, is the High Priest and king who rules over God’s house, the people of God (see 3:1-6; 2 Sam 7:13).”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 5:9: 5:9 God qualified him as a perfect High Priest: As used in Hebrews, perfect means “complete” or “mature” (see 2:10; 5:14; 7:11; 9:9-11). Jesus, through his sufferings, was qualified to be the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. • High Priest is not in the Greek text, but it is implied. • As the Son obeyed the Father (5:8), submitting completely to the Father’s will, so those who come to him for salvation must obey him.”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 5:5: Christ glorified not himself - The man Jesus Christ, was also appointed by God to this most awful yet glorious office, of being the High Priest of the whole human race. The Jewish high priest represented this by the sacrifices of beasts which he offered; the Christian High Priest must offer his own life: Jesus Christ did so; and, rising from the dead, he ascended to heaven, and there ever appeareth in the presence of God for us. Thus he has reassumed the sacerdotal office; and because he never dies, he can never have a successor. He can have no vicars, either in hea”
- 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 (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 (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 (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 10:18: where remission of these is--as there is under the Gospel covenant (Heb 10:17). "Here ends the finale (Heb. 10:1-18) of the great tripartite arrangement (Heb. 7:1-25; 7:26-9:12; 9:13-10:18) of the middle portion of the Epistle. Its great theme was Christ a High Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. What it is to be a high priest after the order of Melchisedec is set forth, Heb. 7:1-25, as contrasted with the Aaronic order. That Christ, however, as High Priest, is Aaron's antitype in the true holy place, by virtue of His self-sacrifice here ”