Hebrews - 10:12



12 but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Hebrews 10:12.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
But this man offering one sacrifice for sins, for ever sitteth on the right hand of God,
But he, having offered one sacrifice for sins, sat down in perpetuity at the right hand of God,
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever sat down on the right hand of God;
And He, for sin one sacrifice having offered, to the end, did sit down on the right hand of God,,
this Priest, on the contrary, after offering for sins a single sacrifice of perpetual efficacy, took His seat at God's right hand,
But when Jesus had made one offering for sins for ever, he took his place at the right hand of God;
But this man, offering one sacrifice for sins, sits at the right hand of God forever,
But, this priest, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, which should serve for all time, 'took his seat at the right hand of God,'
Ipse autem una pro peccatis oblata victima, perpetuo sedet in dextera Dei;

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

But this man - The Lord Jesus. The word "man" is not in the original here. The Greek is literally "but this;" to wit, this priest. The apostle does not state here whether he was a man, or a being of a higher order. He merely mentions him as a priest in contradistinction from the Jewish priests.
After he had offered one sacrifice for sins - By dying on the cross. This he did but once; this could not be repeated; and need not be repeated, for it was sufficient for the sins of the world.
For ever sat down - That is, he sat down then to return no more for the purpose of offering sacrifice for sin. He will no more submit himself to scenes of suffering and death to expiate human guilt.
On the right hand of God - see the notes on Mark 16:19; compare the notes on Ephesians 1:20-22.

But this man,.... Jesus Christ, for he is a man, though not a mere man; or this great high priest, who came to do the will of God, and whose body was offered once for all:
after he had offered one sacrifice for sins; the sacrifice of himself, body and soul, and this but once:
for ever sat down on the right hand of God; as having done his work effectually, and that with acceptance; and therefore is placed as a token of honour at the right hand of God, where he sits enjoying rest, ease, and pleasure, and that for ever; all which is opposed to the priests under the law; they were many, he but one; they offered many sacrifices, he but one; they offered theirs often, every day, he but once; they stood ministering, he sat down; his sacrifice being effectual to take away sin, when theirs was not.

this man--emphatic (Hebrews 3:3).
for ever--joined in English Version with "offered one sacrifice"; offered one sacrifice, the efficacy of which endures for ever; literally. "continuously," (compare Hebrews 10:14). "The offering of Christ, once for all made, will continue the one and only oblation for ever; no other will supersede it" [BENGEL]. The mass, which professes to be the frequent repetition of one and the same sacrifice of Christ's body, is hence disproved. For not only is Christ's body one, but also His offering is one, and that inseparable from His suffering (Hebrews 9:26). The mass would be much the same as the Jewish sacrifices which Paul sets aside as abrogated, for they were anticipations of the one sacrifice, just as Rome makes masses continuations of it, in opposition to Paul's argument. A repetition would imply that the former once-for-all offering of the one sacrifice was imperfect, and so would be dishonoring to it (Hebrews 10:2, Hebrews 10:18). Hebrews 10:14, on the contrary, says, "He hath PERFECTED FOR EVER them that are sanctified." If Christ offered Himself at the last supper, then He offered Himself again on the cross, and there would be two offerings; but Paul says there was only one, once for all. Compare Note, see on Hebrews 9:26. English Version is favored by the usage in this Epistle, of putting the Greek "for ever" after that which it qualifies. Also, "one sacrifice for ever," stands in contrast to "the same sacrifices oftentimes" (Hebrews 10:11). Also, 1-Corinthians 15:25, 1-Corinthians 15:28, agrees with Hebrews 10:12-13, taken as English Version, not joining, as ALFORD does, "for ever" with "sat down," for Jesus is to give up the mediatorial throne "when all things shall be subdued unto Him," and not to sit on it for ever.

But he - The virtue of whose one sacrifice remains for ever. Sat down - As a son, in majesty and honour.

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