Christ, a High Priest

For every high priest taken from among men is appointed in matters pertaining to God for the people, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he is also clothed with weakness.(A) Because of this, he must make an offering for his own sins as well as for the people.(B) No one takes this honor on himself; instead, a person is called by God, just as Aaron was.(C) In the same way, Christ did not exalt himself to become a high priest, but God who said to him,

You are my Son;
today I have become your Father,[a][b] (D)

also says in another place,

You are a priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek.[c](E)

During his earthly life,[d] he offered prayers and appeals(F) with loud cries and tears(G) to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.(H) After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 and he was declared by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

The Problem of Immaturity

11 We have a great deal to say about this, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become too lazy to understand. 12 Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food.(I) 13 Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.(J)

Footnotes

  1. 5:5 Lit I have begotten you
  2. 5:5 Ps 2:7
  3. 5:6 Gn 14:18–20; Ps 110:4
  4. 5:7 Lit In the days of his flesh

The Perfect High Priest

For every high priest (A)taken from among men is appointed on behalf of people in (B)things pertaining to God, in order to (C)offer both gifts and sacrifices (D)for sins; [a](E)he can deal gently with the (F)ignorant and (G)misguided, since he himself also is [b](H)clothed in weakness; and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices (I)for sins for himself, (J)as well as for the people. And (K)no one takes the honor for himself, but receives it when he is called by God, just (L)as Aaron also was.

So too Christ (M)did not glorify Himself in becoming a (N)high priest, but it was He who (O)said to Him,

(P)You are My Son,
Today I have fathered You”;

just as He also says in another passage,

(Q)You are a priest forever
According to (R)the order of Melchizedek.”

In the days of [c]His humanity, [d](S)He offered up both prayers and pleas with (T)loud crying and tears to the One (U)able to save Him [e]from death, and He [f]was heard because of His (V)devout behavior. Although He was (W)a Son, He learned (X)obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been (Y)perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him, 10 being designated by God as (Z)High Priest according to (AA)the order of Melchizedek.

11 Concerning [g]him we have much to say, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become [h]poor listeners. 12 For though [i]by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you (AB)the [j](AC)elementary principles of the (AD)actual words of God, and you have come to need (AE)milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is an (AF)infant. 14 But solid food is for (AG)the mature, who because of practice have their senses (AH)trained to (AI)distinguish between good and evil.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 5:2 Lit being able to
  2. Hebrews 5:2 I.e., weak by nature
  3. Hebrews 5:7 Lit His flesh
  4. Hebrews 5:7 Lit who having offered up
  5. Hebrews 5:7 Or out of
  6. Hebrews 5:7 Lit having been heard
  7. Hebrews 5:11 Lit whom; or which
  8. Hebrews 5:11 Lit sluggish in hearing
  9. Hebrews 5:12 Lit because of the time
  10. Hebrews 5:12 Lit elements of the beginning