Hebrews 9:23

It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

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WEBBE

It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

BSB

So it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

KJV

It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

ASV

It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

BBE

For this cause it was necessary to make the copies of the things in heaven clean with these offerings; but the things themselves are made clean with better offerings than these.

Original Greek

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Ἀνάγκη Anagkē [It was] necessary G318 οὖν oun then [for] G3767 τὰ ta the G3588 μὲν men indeed G3303 ὑποδείγματα hupodeigmata representations G5262 τῶν tōn of the [things] G3588 ἐν en in G1722 τοῖς tois the G3588 οὐρανοῖς ouranois heavens G3772 τούτοις toutois with these G3778 καθαρίζεσθαι katharizesthai to be purified G2511 αὐτὰ auta themselves G846 δὲ de however G1161 τὰ ta the G3588 ἐπουράνια epourania heavenly things G2032 κρείττοσιν kreittosin with better G2908 θυσίαις thusiais sacrifices G2378 παρὰ para than G3844 ταύτας tautas these G3778

The early church

"It was therefore necessary that the Patterns" (he says) "of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these." And how are they "patterns of things in the heavens"? And what does he mean now by "the things in the heavens"? Is it Heaven? Or is it the Angels? None of these, but what is ours. It follows then that our things are in Heaven, and heavenly things are ours, even though they be accomplished on earth; since although angels are on earth, yet they are called Heavenly. And the Cherubim appeared on earth, but yet are heavenly. And why do I say "appeared"? nay rather they dwell on earth, as indeed in Paradise: but this is nothing; for they are heavenly. And, "Our conversation is in Heaven," and yet we live here. "But these are the heavenly things," that is, the philosophy which exists amongst us; those who have been called thereto. "With better sacrifices than these." What is "better" is better than something [else] that is good. Therefore "the patterns also of things in the heavens" have become good; for not even the patterns were evil: else the things whereof they are patterns would also have been evil.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Hebrews

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 23–28

It is evident that the sacrifices of Christ are infinitely better than those of the law, which could neither procure pardon for sin, nor impart power against it. Sin would still have been upon us, and have had dominion over us; but Jesus Christ, by one sacrifice, has destroyed the works of the devil, that believers may be made righteous, holy, and happy. As no wisdom, learning, virtue, wealth, or power, can keep one of the human race from death, so nothing can deliver a sinner from being condemned at the day of judgment, except the atoning sacrifice of Christ; nor will one be saved from eternal punishment who despises or neglects this great salvation. The believer knows that his Redeemer liveth, and that he shall see him. Here is the faith and patience of the church, of all sincere believers. Hence is their continual prayer as the fruit and expression of their faith, Even so come, Lord Jesus.

Read Matthew Henry on Hebrews 9 →

Cross-references

13

Topics

Jesus, The ChristPriestSymbols And SimilitudesTabernaclePattern

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.