Download these notes in PDF here: https://www.studyyourbible.org/new-testament/hebrews/2026/handouts/session-11-the-great-high-priest/

Session 11 The Great High Priest

Hold Fast And Come Boldly (Hebrews 4:14-5:10)

Session 10 concluded the warning about Israel’s promised rest. God’s living Word exposes every heart, and every hearer stands accountable before the One who sees all things. The argument now turns from exposure to provision: the Hebrews have “a great high priest,” Jesus the Son of God, through whom they may approach the throne of grace.

The passage moves from the sympathetic High Priest and throne of grace (4:14-16), through the Aaronic pattern (5:1-4), to Christ’s divine appointment, suffering, completed work, and eternal Melchisedec priesthood (5:5-10).

Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus The Son Of God

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.

Exegesis

• “Seeing then that we have a great high priest” returns to the Priest introduced in Hebrews 2:17 and 3:1. The priest the Hebrews need is already in office and greater than every Aaronic priest.
• “Passed into the heavens” pictures Jesus passing through the heavens into God’s presence, as Israel’s high priest passed through the sanctuary and veil.
• “Jesus the Son of God” joins His historical human name with His divine and royal identity. The suffering man Jesus is the Son established throughout chapter 1.
• “Let us hold fast” calls the Hebrews to retain their confession of Jesus as Messiah and Son under pressure to turn away.

Closely Relevant Cross-References

• Hebrews 2:17-18 - Jesus was made like His brethren so that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest able to help the tested.
• Hebrews 3:1, 6 - The Hebrews must consider the High Priest of the confession and hold their confidence to the end.
• Hebrews 6:19-20 - Jesus enters within the veil as forerunner and High Priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Text And Translation Notes

• “Profession” means confession—what is acknowledged or spoken together. It does not mean an occupation.
• The KJV italicizes “our” because the Greek says “the confession.” The supplied pronoun makes natural English but should not become the basis of a separate doctrine.
• “Passed into” may carry the sense of passed through. The plural “heavens” supports the picture of ascent into God’s presence.

Theological Insights

• The Hebrews’ perseverance rests upon Jesus’ true humanity, divine Sonship, and effective heavenly priesthood—not confidence in themselves.

What The Passage Does Not Say

• It does not define “profession” as a religious career or make Jesus one high priest among equals.
• It does not say the Hebrews may abandon the confession because their Priest is sufficient; His sufficiency is the reason to hold it fast.

Hebrews 4:15 - Touched With Our Infirmities

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Exegesis

• The double negative—“not ... which cannot”—strongly affirms that Jesus can sympathize with the Hebrews’ weaknesses.
• “Touched with the feeling” means to suffer or feel together with another. His sympathy arises from real incarnate experience.
• “Our infirmities” include weariness, hunger, suffering, and vulnerability. Weakness itself is not always sin.
• “In all points tempted” means tested in every relevant manner. It does not require Jesus to have encountered every specific circumstance experienced by every person.
• “Like as we are ... yet without sin” affirms genuine human testing while marking the decisive difference: no sinful nature, desire, consent, or action was found in Him.

Closely Relevant Cross-References

• Matthew 4:1-11 - Jesus experiences real temptation from the devil and answers every test in obedience to God’s written Word.
• Hebrews 2:14-18 - The Son shares flesh and blood, suffers testing, and is therefore able to help His tempted brethren.
• 1 Peter 2:21-22 - Christ suffers while committing no sin and speaking no guile.

Text And Translation Notes

• “Touched with the feeling” translates sympatheō, the source of English sympathy.
• The KJV supplies the italicized “we are” to complete the comparison in English. The comparison affirms real human testing; “without sin” defines its boundary.

What The Passage Does Not Say

• It does not say Jesus had a fallen nature or experienced every identical temptation faced by every individual.
• It does not make His temptations unreal. Sinlessness means He never yielded, not that no pressure was felt.

Hebrews 4:16 - The Throne Of Grace

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Exegesis

• “Therefore” rests upon the identity of Jesus as the exalted Son, sympathetic man, and sinless High Priest.
• “Let us ... come” is an invitation to priestly approach. The Hebrews need not remain at a fearful distance when their High Priest represents them.
• “Boldly” means with confidence and freedom of speech, not casually or presumptuously.
• “The throne of grace” joins kingship and priesthood. The throne of the King is also the place from which gracious help is given.
• “Obtain mercy” concerns compassion toward weakness; “find grace to help in time of need” is aid arriving when required, especially under pressure to abandon the confession.

Closely Relevant Cross-References

• Hebrews 2:18 - Christ can help those being tested; Hebrews 4:16 tells them where to seek that help.
• Hebrews 7:25 - The living High Priest saves to the uttermost those approaching God by Him and continually intercedes for them.
• Hebrews 10:19-23 - Boldness to enter by Jesus’ blood leads directly to drawing near and holding fast without wavering.

Text And Translation Notes

• “Boldly” describes confidence, openness, or freedom of speech. It is confidence in the Priest, not confidence that the worshipper has no weakness.
• “Obtain” means receive rather than earn; “in time of need” describes help at the fitting moment.

What The Passage Does Not Say

• It does not define boldness as demanding anything one desires or detach grace from the High Priest and His sacrifice.
• It does not erase the chapter’s warning; timely grace enables the Hebrews to hold fast and respond faithfully.

Hebrews 5:1-4 - The Aaronic High Priest

For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

Exegesis

• “For” explains the priestly office behind the invitation of Hebrews 4:14-16. The writer describes the familiar Aaronic pattern before showing how Christ fulfills and surpasses it.
• The high priest was “taken from among men” and “ordained for men.” He represented the people because he shared their humanity and was appointed to act on their behalf before God.
• “Gifts and sacrifices for sins” gathers bloodless offerings and sacrifices involving blood. The categories overlap, but not every gift was a blood sacrifice.
• He could “have compassion” on the ignorant and straying because he was himself “compassed with infirmity.” His weakness surrounded him and kept him aware of his own need for mercy.
• Because the Aaronic high priest was a sinner, he had to offer sacrifice “for himself” as well as for the people.
• “No man taketh this honour unto himself.” Priesthood required divine authorization; ambition, ability, or political influence could not legitimately create the office.
• “As was Aaron” anchors the appointment in Israel’s history. God named Aaron and established his house for the Levitical priesthood.

Closely Relevant Cross-References

• Exodus 28:1-3 - God takes Aaron and his sons from among Israel and appoints them to minister in the priest’s office.
• Leviticus 9:7 - Aaron must first offer for himself and then make an offering for the people.
• Leviticus 16:6, 11, 15-17 - On the Day of Atonement the high priest offers for himself before entering with blood for Israel.
• Numbers 16:1-35 - Korah’s rebellion shows that religious zeal and Levitical status did not authorize someone to seize Aaron’s office.
• Hebrews 7:26-28 - Jesus needs no offering for personal sin; the sinless Son is the High Priest brought to completion for evermore.

Text And Translation Notes

• “Ordained” means appointed or placed in charge. Here it describes Israel’s high-priestly office, not a Christian ordination ceremony.
• “Have compassion” expresses measured gentleness—neither indifference to sin nor uncontrolled harshness toward the weak.
• KJV “compassed with infirmity” preserves the image of weakness surrounding the Aaronic priest.
• “Called” in verse 4 means named or appointed by God. Under the law, priestly succession normally operated through Aaronic descent rather than a private mystical experience.

Theological Insights

• The Aaronic office supplied a real God-given pattern: an appointed representative approached God with an offering for the people.
• That priesthood also announced its own limitation whenever the priest had to deal first with his own sins.
• Because God alone establishes priesthood, He has authority to declare a priest after an order other than Aaron’s.

What The Passage Does Not Say

• It does not call a Christian pastor a sacrificing priest.
• It does not use Aaron’s appointment to require a mystical call before a man may desire the office of a bishop.
• It does not say Aaronic sacrifices were meaningless; they fulfilled their appointed covenant purpose while pointing to the need for a better Priest.
• It does not permit Christ’s sinless priesthood to be treated as though He also needed sacrifice for Himself.

Hebrews 5:5-6 - Declared Son And Priest

So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Exegesis

• Christ followed the principle of divine appointment: He “glorified not himself” by seizing priestly honor.
• “Thou art my Son” quotes Psalm 2:7, identifying the royal and Messianic Son already presented in Hebrews 1.
• “To day have I begotten thee” does not describe the beginning of Christ’s existence. It is the Father’s royal declaration concerning the Son.
• “Thou art a priest for ever” quotes Psalm 110:4 and supplies the divine appointment to priesthood.
• “After the order of Melchisedec” places Christ under an order different from Aaron’s. Genesis presents Melchizedek as king of Salem and priest of the most high God.
• The two quotations unite royal Sonship and eternal priesthood. Messiah is both King and Priest by the Father’s declaration.

Closely Relevant Cross-References

• Psalm 2:6-8 - God sets His Son as King upon Zion and gives Him the nations for an inheritance.
• Psalm 110:1, 4 - The seated Messiah is also the sworn priest for ever after Melchizedek’s order.
• Genesis 14:18-20 - Melchizedek appears as king of Salem and priest of the most high God, blesses Abram, and receives tithes.
• Hebrews 7:11-17 - The later argument explains why another priesthood was needed and how Jesus, from Judah, holds it by the power of an endless life.

Text And Translation Notes

• The KJV spelling “Melchisedec” represents the New Testament Greek form; “Melchizedek” is the familiar Old Testament spelling. Both names identify the same man.
• “Order” means arrangement, rank, or ordered pattern. It is not the name of a modern religious organization.
• “For ever” is central to the contrast between mortal Aaronic priests and Christ’s permanent priesthood.

What The Passage Does Not Say

• It does not say Christ created or appointed Himself as High Priest.
• It does not teach that the Son began to exist when the Father said, “This day have I begotten thee.”
• It does not identify Melchisedec as Christ; Christ serves after his order.
• It does not place Jesus within Aaron’s line. God appoints Him according to a different and permanent order.

Hebrews 5:7-10 - Obedience, Suffering, And Completion

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Exegesis

• “In the days of his flesh” concerns Christ’s incarnate earthly life, especially the suffering that culminated in His death.
• His “prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears” demonstrate real human agony and dependence upon the Father. His humanity was not an appearance.
• He prayed to the One “able to save him from death.” Because Christ did die and was raised, the prayer’s answer must include deliverance out of death by resurrection, not avoidance of the cross.
• “Was heard in that he feared” describes reverent submission to the Father, not sinful dread or unbelief.
• “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience” does not mean Jesus moved from rebellion to obedience. In incarnation He experienced obedience by carrying it through under suffering.
• “Being made perfect” means brought to the appointed goal or completion. Christ did not become morally sinless; He completed the suffering, death, and resurrection that qualified Him as the fully accomplished High Priest.
• “He became the author” identifies Him as the cause or source of eternal salvation.
• “Unto all them that obey him” uses the hearing-obedience word family. Those who come under the Son’s word receive the salvation His completed work causes.
• Verse 10 returns to Psalm 110: God formally designates Christ as High Priest after Melchisedec’s order.

Closely Relevant Cross-References

• Matthew 26:36-44 - Jesus prays in deep sorrow that the cup might pass if possible, yet submits fully to the Father’s will.
• Acts 2:24-32 - God raises Jesus because death cannot hold Him, publicly answering the plea to the One able to save from death.
• Philippians 2:6-8 - The divine Son takes servant form and becomes obedient unto the death of the cross.
• Hebrews 2:10 - The captain of Israel’s salvation is made perfect through sufferings, using the same completion idea.
• Hebrews 7:25 - The permanent Priest can save to the uttermost those who come unto God by Him.

Text And Translation Notes

• “Supplications” is a rare word for earnest appeal, used only here in the New Testament.
• “Save him from death” may carry the force of saving out of death. The resurrection shows that being heard did not require exemption from dying.
• KJV “in that he feared” uses fear for reverence or godly caution. The same word family appears in “godly fear” at Hebrews 12:28.
• “Made perfect” means completed or brought to the intended goal, not corrected from moral imperfection.
• “Author” here means cause or source. Christ does not simply announce salvation; His work produces it.
• The word translated “called” in verse 10 differs from the word in verse 4. Here it emphasizes formal or public designation by God.

Theological Insights

• Christ’s sympathy rests upon actual suffering, prayer, dependence, and obedient submission without sin.
• His completed work alone is the cause of eternal salvation; no rival priesthood or repeated sacrifice contributes to it.
• Hebrews addresses a covenant people required to heed their Messiah. Its obedience and salvation language must remain within the book’s kingdom, covenant, warning, and endurance setting.

What The Passage Does Not Say

• It does not say Jesus prayed in unbelieving panic or feared punishment for personal sin.
• It does not say His prayer went unanswered because He died.
• It does not mean Jesus had previously been disobedient or morally imperfect.
• It does not teach salvation purchased by human moral performance. Christ’s completed work is its cause.
• It does not make Christ an Aaronic priest or authorize a modern Melchisedec priesthood.

Teaching Summary

• Jesus the Son of God is the great High Priest who has entered the heavens and enables the Hebrews to hold fast their confession.
• He genuinely shares human weakness and testing, yet no sinful nature, desire, consent, or action was found in Him.
• Through this sympathetic and sinless Priest, the Hebrews may approach the throne confidently for mercy and timely grace.
• Aaronic high priests represented Israel but were themselves surrounded by infirmity and required sacrifice for their own sins.
• No priest could seize the office. Aaron and Christ each required divine appointment, but Christ belongs to the eternal order of Melchisedec.
• Psalm 2 identifies Him as the royal Son; Psalm 110 declares Him priest for ever, uniting kingship and priesthood in Messiah.
• In the days of His flesh Christ prayed with tears, experienced obedience through suffering, and was delivered through death by resurrection.
• Brought to the completion of His priestly work, Christ became the cause of eternal salvation to all who come under His hearing.