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Ordinary Time · Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year B

Hebrews 4:14-16

Jesus the Great High Priest

October 17, 2027

Disputation of the Holy Sacrament (La Disputa), Raphael
Disputation of the Holy Sacrament (La Disputa), Raphael, 1509–10Stanza della Segnatura, Vatican Palace
In the pope's library, facing the School of Athens. Heaven is painted above and the theologians argue below, with the host on the altar between them.We have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens: Hebrews argues a priesthood, and Raphael painted the argument as a room with the ceiling off.RaphaelRaphael Sanzio of Urbino (1483-1520), the youngest of the three who defined the High Renaissance. He died on Good Friday at thirty-seven.Stanza della Segnatura, Vatican PalaceThe pope's library, where Raphael painted the School of Athens and the Disputa facing each other across one room.Stanza della Segnatura, Vatican Palace
Roman Lectionary
GospelMark 10:35-45Mk 10:35-45 orMark 10:42-45Mk 10:42-45
Second ReadingHeb. 4:14-16Heb 4:14-16
First ReadingIsa. 53:10-11Is 53:10-11
Responsorial PsalmPs. 33:4-5, 18-19, 20+22 (22)Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20+22 (22)

Overview & Insights

“Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.” (Hebrews 5:8)

In the last verses of chapter 4 the author again exhorts his readers to faithfulness, but this time on the basis of his argument concerning the high priesthood of Jesus. The connection has already been made between Jesus’ high priesthood and his ability to help his people (see 2:17–18), but now it is elaborated and leads the author into the beginning of a discourse on why Jesus is qualified to be high priest. First the author reviews the role and calling of high priests (5:1–4), and then he turns to the qualifications of Jesus as high priest (5:5–10).

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Take it further: Hebrews 4:14-16

Commentary

Commentary on Hebrews 4:12-16Commentary on Heb 4:12-16 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary exegesis that covers verses 14-16 on the sympathetic high priest and the throne of grace.

Hebrews 4:12-16 CommentaryHeb 4:12-16 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed, sermon shaped commentary that reads verses 14-16 on the priest who was tested as we are.

Hebrews 4: Our Great High PriestHeb 4: Our Great High Priest Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the chapter.

Hebrews CommentariesHeb Commentaries Precept Austin

A deep gathering of word studies, sermons, and cross references on the letter to the Hebrews.

Hebrews 4:14 CommentariesHeb 4:14 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentaries on the great high priest in one place.

Hebrews 4, Expository NotesHeb 4, Expository Notes StudyLight

Thomas Constable's expository notes on the high priest who sympathizes with our weakness.

Background & Word Study

Hebrews 4:14 Greek InterlinearHeb 4:14 Greek Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word with parsing for the confession and the throne of grace.

The Church Fathers

Catena on Hebrews 4Catena on Heb 4 Catena

Patristic comments verse by verse on the high priest tested in every way, yet without sin.

Questions preachers ask

How is Christ the great high priest?

Appointed by God as a priest after the order of Melchizedek, Christ offered up loud cries and tears, and being made perfect became the source of eternal salvation.

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