Hebrews 10: 12 Commentary

1)The main purpose of writing this Epistle to the Jewish Christians was to exhort them not to turn away from the faith in Christ Jesus back to Judaism.The author employed many O.T.passages to prove the superiority of Jesus Christ.We can count a minimum of 25 actual O.T.quotations & 50 minimum allusions to O.T.passages in this Epistle.
2)Hebrews is the only book in the N.T.which applied the title “high priest” to Jesus Christ.Many other titles have also been given to Him in this Book.We must go thro’ the entire Book to have a clear understanding of what the author wants to say.It is like a mine.As we dig deeper & deeper,we will find valuable treasures in this Book.
3)In Heb.9:1-10:18,the author use the imagery of the Day of Atonement ritual
cited in Lev.16,to prove that the high priestly ministry of Jesus Christ is superior to that of the Levitical Priests.
4)The author makes a comparison in verses 11&12 of Heb.10,with respect to the effectiveness of the atonement work.On the day of Atonement,the atonement work was made by killing the animals on the Altar & taking the blood to the Most Holy place & sprinkling it on the Mercy seat & in front of it by the high prist(Lev.16)
5)Please note the phrase “standeth daily” in v 11.It denotes the unfinished task of the Levitical priests with respect to the atonement work as the ritual had to be observed in the next year also as the sins of the nation would be blood covered for one year only.
6)Jesus Christ died on the Cross which may be considered as the Altar of sacrifice.It is difficult to understand the mystery of Jesus being both the sacrifice & the high priest.As a high priest he offered” Himself “as
sacrifice.As the old Testament priests made atonement by the blood of the animals by entering into the Holy of Holies of the earthly tabernacle every year,Jesus entered in once into the Holy Place(heaven)by His own blood to obtain redemption for us.Heb.9:12-14,24,25.
7)The author used the phrase “sat down”in v12 using the quotation of Ps.110:1 to signify the finished work of Jesus Christ.He has completed the sacrificial for the remission of sins & sat down on the right hand of God as king & priest.As per Ps.110:4.He is priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.

By Alexander (wrote 499 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 9/12/2008 00:33 am

“But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;” he contrasts Jesus both to the Levitical priests and to the Levitical sacrifices. As sacrifice he needed not to be offered continually, but due to his being a perfect human being and the Son of God, he needed to only be offered once, and that one offering could totally remove the sins of the “comers thereunto” (10:1) whereas the blood of bulls and goats could not really remove sin at all but only cover it temporarily for up to one year (10:3-4). As priest, he did not need to stand daily (10:11) and offer the same sacrifices over and over, because “it is finished” (John 19:30) and his one sacrifice being finished, which sacrifice can totally remove all sins of those who will “come unto God by him” (7:25) he sat down at the right hand of God.

By josh (wrote 51 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 9/10/2008 02:21 am

1)”This man” is one of the favorite phrases used by the writer of Hebrews to denote Jesus.Heb.3:3;7:24;8:3;10:12.In three of those verses(except3:5),
the phrase is used when speaking of His office as high Priest.He has an unchangeable priesthood.Heb.7:24.For there is one God,and one mediator between God & men,the man Christ Jesus,who gave himself a ransom for all,to be testified in due time.1 Tim.2:5,6.Read Phil.2:8.To become a mediator between God & man,Jesus has to come as man.He came as man to do the ministry of high priest to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.Heb.2:17.Jesus has fulfilled the purpose for which He came into the world as man by completing the work of mediation.
2)The bulls & goats were burned outside the camp .Heb.2:17.The blood of those animals was brought into the Holy of Holies by the high priest.
Heb13:11.Jesus died on the cross outside the gate.Heb.13:12.John 19:17
Jesus has entered in into the Holy Place(heaven)once by His own blood to obtain eternal redemption for us.Heb.9:12,24.” …Christ ..hath given himself for us an offering & sacrifice to God..”Eph.5:1.The high priest has to offer up sacrifice first for his own sins & then for the people.But Jesus need not offer any sacrifice for himself as he was sinless.Heb.7:27
The purpose for which sacrifice has to be offered has been achieved in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.There is no need of any more sacrifices for remission of sins.
3)In Heb.10:12,the first part of Psalm 110:1 is used.The second part is used in Heb.10:13.The expression”sat down on the right hand of God” denotes the kingly role of Christ.He is king of Kings & Lord of Lords.Read Phil.2:9

By Alexander (wrote 499 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 9/9/2008 07:55 am

1)”One sacrifice for sins for ever”-Under the Old Covenant,many different sacrifices had to be offered repeatedly.Jesus Christ had offered Himself as one perfect sacrifice for sins for ever.It was offered once for all & no repetition is required.Please refer commentary no.1 for Heb.9:14.The sacrifice of Jesus Christ was efficacious in providing complete atonement.
The defect of lack of finality of sacrifice in the old Covenant is rectified in the New Covenant.Jesus Christ’s death for our sins in our place satisfied the justice of God.God’s wrath was appeased by His death as he satisfied the demands & requirements of law by paying penalty the penalty for our sins.
(All)are justified & made upright & in right standing with God,freely & gratuitously by His grace(His unmerited favour & mercy)in Christ Jesus,through the redemption which is (provided)in Christ Jesus whom God put forward(before the eyes of all)as a mercy Seat & propitiation by His blood(the cleansing & life-giving sacrifice of atonement & reconciliation to be received)through faith….Rom 3:24,25(Amp)
(God)…sent His Son to be propitiation (atoning sacrifice)for our sins.
1 John 4:10(Amp)
2)”But this man …..sat down on the right hand of God.”
Once again ,the writer of Hebrews uses the quotation of Ps.110:1.(Read Heb.1:3,13;8:1&12:2.)Here a contrast is made.The Levitical priests used to stand daily as they were ministering & offering the same sacrifices over & over again in the earthly tabernacle/temple as their work was finished.See Heb.10:11.Jesus Christ has to come as man(Heb.2:17)to do the atonement work as a High Priest.He had successfully completed the atonement work.After He has completed the atonement work in the heavenly sanctuary,he sat down on the right hand of God.Read Acts2:34,35;7:55,56;Rom.8:34;Eph.1:20-22;
Col.3:1;1 Pet.3:22
Please refer commentaries for Ps.110:1& Heb8:1

By Alexander (wrote 499 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 9/6/2008 01:13 am