Keraia
Hebrews 10

Hebrews 10:2

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

Translations

Modern
If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins.
Traditional
For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
Literal
Otherwise, would they not have ceased being offered, because of no more having conscience of sins, those serving having been cleansed once?
Latin
…alioquin cessassent offerri: ideo quod nullam haberent ultra conscientiam peccati, cultores semel mundati:

Original

Greek
English
If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins.

Notes

Hebrews 10:2

  • The ongoing sacrifices show they were not enough. If the old covenant sacrifices had provided lasting purity, they would have ended.

  • Their guilt would have disappeared: See Hebrews 9:9, 14; 10:22; 13:18.

Hebrews 9:11–10:18

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).

Hebrews 9:1–10:18

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.

Hebrews 8:1–10:18

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 Dietary Laws Hebrews, Letter to the Mediate, Mediator New Covenant

Topics

Atonement: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Conscience: The Blood of Christ Alone Can Purify Law: Temporary Offerings: Animal Sacrifices: A Type of Christ Offerings: Insufficiency of Purity of Heart Sacrifices were offered: Under the Mosaic Age Sacrifices: Could not Take Away Sin Sin: Forgiveness of Types of the Saviour Types of the Saviour: The Institutions Ordained by Moses Types of the Saviour: The Sacrifices