In the following verses, it is shown that Christ is superior to Aaron in His service because He ministers in a better sanctuary [Verse 1-5] and under a better covenant [Verse 7-13].
Now the author comes to the "main point" of his argument. He does not summarize what he has already said, but rather presents the main thesis of what he intends to convey in this letter.
"We have such a High Priest." The words "we have" carry a triumphant tone. This is the response to the Jews who mocked the early Christians, saying: "We have the Tent of Meeting, we have the priesthood, we have the sacrifices, we have the ceremonies, we have the temple, we have the beautiful priestly garments." The confident reply of the believer is: "Yes, you have the shadows, but we have the fulfillment. You have the ceremonies, but we have Christ. You have the image, but we have the person that the image represents. And our High Priest has 'sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty.' No other high priest has ever been able to sit down before a completed work, and none has ever had such an honored position and authority."
Now the author comes to the "main point" of his argument. He does not summarize what he has already said, but rather presents the main thesis of what he intends to convey in this letter.
"We have such a High Priest." The words "we have" carry a triumphant tone. This is the response to the Jews who mocked the early Christians, saying: "We have the Tent of Meeting, we have the priesthood, we have the sacrifices, we have the ceremonies, we have the temple, we have the beautiful priestly garments." The confident reply of the believer is: "Yes, you have the shadows, but we have the fulfillment. You have the ceremonies, but we have Christ. You have the image, but we have the person that the image represents. And our High Priest has 'sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty.' No other high priest has ever been able to sit down before a completed work, and none has ever had such an honored position and authority."
 | Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-09-17 Source: Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck |
The substance, or summary, of what had been declared was, that Christians had such a High Priest as they needed. He took upon himself human nature, appeared on earth, and there gave himself as a sacrifice to God for the sins of his people. We must not dare to approach God, or to present any thing to him, but in and through Christ, depending upon his merits and mediation; for we are accepted only in the Beloved. In all obedience and worship, we should keep close to God’s word, which is the only and perfect standard. Christ is the substance and end of the law of righteousness. But the covenant here referred to, was that made with Israel as a nation, securing temporal benefits to them. The promises of all spiritual blessings, and of eternal life, revealed in the gospel, and made sure through Christ, are of infinitely greater value. Let us bless God that we have a High Priest that suits our helpless condition.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-6
1 Now of the things which we have spoken [this is] the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore [it is] of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. 4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, [that] thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. 6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
 | Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source: Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry |
Paul mixes the lowly things with the lofty, ever imitating his Master, so that the lowly become the path to the lofty, and through the former we are led to the latter, and when we are amid the great things we learn that these [lowly ones] were a condescension. This accordingly he does here also. After declaring that He offered up Himself, and showing Him to be a High Priest, what does he say? Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: we have such an High Priest who is set down on the right hand of the throne of the majesty. And yet this is not [the office] of a Priest, but of Him whom the Priest should serve.
 | Author: John Chrysostom Rank: Bishop AD: 407 |
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
