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Lenten Season · Fifth Sunday in Lent · Year B

Hebrews 5:5-10

Jesus the Great High Priest

March 14, 2027

The Meeting of Abraham and Melchizedek, Dieric Bouts
The Meeting of Abraham and Melchizedek, Dieric Bouts, c. 1464–1467Saint Peter's Church, Leuven
A wing of the Last Supper altarpiece, where Bouts surrounded the central communion with four Old Testament meals that prefigure it.You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek: Hebrews makes the argument, and Bouts put the proof texts round the edge of the altarpiece.Dieric BoutsA Netherlandish painter in Leuven, known for still, elongated figures and for being among the first to use a single vanishing point.Saint Peter's Church, LeuvenA Flemish Gothic church in the university town of Leuven, which still holds the Bouts altarpieces painted for it.Saint Peter's Church, Leuven
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelJohn 12:20-33Jn 12:20-33
EpistleHeb. 5:5-10Heb 5:5-10
Old TestamentJer. 31:31-34Jer 31:31-34
PsalterPs. 51:1-12Ps 51:1-12 orPs. 119:9-16Ps 119:9-16

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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Commentary

Hebrews 5:5-10Heb 5:5-10 Working Preacher

Scholarly exegesis of Christ appointed high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 5Heb 5 Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse-by-verse evangelical commentary on Christ's priesthood.

Classic commentaries on Hebrews 5Classic commentaries on Heb 5 BibleHub

Aggregates classic and modern commentators on the passage.

Background & Word Study

Hebrews and WorkHeb and Work Theology of Work

Connects Hebrews' high-priest theology to faith and vocation.

Overview: HebrewsOverview: Heb BibleProject

An animated overview of Hebrews' priesthood and sacrifice themes.

The Church Fathers

Hebrews 5, patristic commentaryHeb 5, patristic commentary Catena

Patristic quotations gathered verse by verse.

Sermons & Reflections

Hebrews 5:5-10 Sermon CommentaryHeb 5:5-10 Sermon Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Explains that Christ did not take on the high priesthood himself but was appointed to it by God.

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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