lectionary.com

Holy Week · Good Friday · Year A

Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9

Jesus the Great High Priest

April 3, 2026

The Agony in the Garden, El Greco
The Agony in the Garden, El Greco, c. 1600-1607Wikimedia Commons
Christ on his knees with his arms open, the angel holding out the cup from a fold of cloud, the three disciples asleep in a hollow of rock, and the torches of the arresting party already coming up the path on the right.In the days of his flesh he offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death.El GrecoEl Greco, who built the rocks and the clouds out of the same substance so the whole night seems to be closing in.Wikimedia CommonsReproduced through Wikimedia Commons.Wikimedia Commons
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelJohn 18:1-19:42Jn 18:1-19:42Alt. GospelJohn 19:17-30Jn 19:17-30
EpistleHeb. 4:14-16; 5:7-9Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9
Old TestamentIsa. 52:13-53:12Is 52:13-53:12
PsalterPs. 22Ps 22Alt. PsalmPs. 31Ps 31

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).

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9

Commentary

Commentary on Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9Commentary on Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary's exegesis of Jesus as the sympathetic great high priest.

Hebrews 4:12-16Heb 4:12-16 Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary on the great high priest who has passed through the heavens.

Hebrews 4 Commentary: Entering Into His Rest, Verse by VerseHeb 4 Commentary: Entering Into His Rest, Verse by Verse Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the priestly appeal to draw near.

Hebrews 4:14 CommentaryHeb 4:14 Commentary Precept Austin

Deep collation of expositors and word notes on holding fast our confession.

Hebrews 4:14 CommentariesHeb 4:14 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators gathered verse by verse on the great high priest passage.

Background & Word Study

Hebrews 4:14 InterlinearHeb 4:14 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek interlinear with parsing and Strong's numbers for the high priest text.

Book of Hebrews Summary | Watch an Overview VideoBook of Heb Summary | Watch an Overview Video BibleProject

Animated overview of Hebrews and its argument that Jesus is the superior priest.

The Church Fathers

Hebrews 4 - Catena Bible & CommentariesHeb 4 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Patristic commentary compiled verse by verse on the great high priest.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on John 18:1-19:42
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.