Hebrews 8:3
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
And since every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, it was necessary for this One also to have something to offer.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
For--assigning his reason for calling him "minister of the sanctuary" (Heb 8:2). somewhat--He does not offer again His once for all completed sacrifice. But as the high priest did not enter the Holy Place without blood, so Christ has entered the heavenly Holy Place with His own blood. That "blood of sprinkling" is in heaven. And is thence made effectual to sprinkle believers as the end of their election (Pe1 1:2). The term "consecrate" as a priest, is literally, to fill the hand, implying that an offering is given into the hands of the priest, which it is his duty to present to God. If a man be a priest, he must have some gift in his hands to offer. Therefore, Christ, as a priest, has His blood as His oblation to offer before God.
Open source ↗In this chapter the apostle pursues his former subject, the priesthood of Christ. And, I. He sums up what he had already said (Heb 8:1, Heb 8:2). II. He sets before them the necessary parts of the priestly office (Heb 8:3-5). And, III. Largely illustrates the excellency of the priesthood of Christ, by considering the excellency of that new dispensation or covenant for which Christ is the Mediator (Heb 8:6 to the end).
Open source ↗8:3 every high priest is required to offer gifts and sacrifices: Making offerings is a general requirement of priests, so Jesus also had to offer a sacrifice. • This verse reiterates what is stated in the first verse of the previous discussion (5:1), indicating another major movement in the book.
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.
Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!
Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself.
He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh.”