Hebrews 10:16

Christ’s Perfect Sacrifice · Hebrews 10:1–18
Read Hebrews 10

Translations

Modern
“This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their hearts and inscribe them on their minds.”
Traditional
This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Literal
“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord, giving My laws on their hearts, and I will inscribe them on their mind,”
Latin
Hoc autem testamentum, quod testabor ad illos post dies illos, dicit Dominus, dando leges meas in cordibus eorum, et in mentibus eorum superscribam eas:

Original

Greek
English
“This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their hearts and inscribe them on their minds.”

Notes

  • The author again quotes from Jeremiah 31:33–34 (see Hebrews 8:7–12) to support the statement in 10:14. This shows that Christ’s one sacrifice under the new covenant has made worshipers perfect forever.

  • God’s laws have now been placed in their hearts and on their minds. This means that a believer’s relationship with God is now inward, not just outward.

  • Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more: As the author has shown in 9:11–10:14, this is possible only because Christ’s sacrifice is greater than all others.

The author compares the old system (Hebrews 9:1–10) with Christ's superior sacrifice as high priest. Christ offered his own blood, not animal blood (9:13–22; see also 9:7). His offering took place in the heavenly tabernacle, not the earthly one (9:23–24; see also 9:1–5). Unlike repeated offerings, Christ's sacrifice happened only once (9:25–10:18; see also 7:27; 9:6–7).

This section explains that Christ's death, as the sacrifice in the new covenant, is better than the sacrifices in the old covenant. In Hebrews 9:1–10, the author describes worship practices under the old covenant rules (see Exodus 28–29; Leviticus 1–10; 16:1–17:16). In Hebrews 9:11–10:18, these rules are compared to Christ's superior offering.

This passage explains that the role of Jesus as the heavenly high priest is better than the role of earthly priests.

Parallels

Psalm 40:1–17

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Day of Atonement Exaltation of Christ Hebrews, Letter to the Intercession of Christ New Commandment Priesthood

Topics

Atonement: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Law: Temporary Regeneration: General Scriptures Concerning Types of the Saviour: The Sacrifices