Hebrews 4:15 - For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.

Generated Verse: Hebrews 4:15

What does "Hebrews 4:15" mean?


Hebrews 4:15 is a powerful and comforting verse that speaks about Jesus Christ's ability to empathize with our struggles and understand our human condition. Here's a breakdown of what it means:

"For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities..." This part is saying that Jesus is not a detached or indifferent religious leader. A "high priest" in the Old Testament served as a mediator between God and the people, offering sacrifices for their sins. This verse emphasizes that Jesus, as our ultimate High Priest, is different. He understands our weaknesses and struggles. The phrase "touched with the feeling of our infirmities" means that he feels our pain, our suffering, our weaknesses – both physical and spiritual. He's not distant or uncaring.

"...but one who has been in all points tempted like we are..." This is crucial. Jesus wasn't just a human being who lived a comfortable, sheltered life. He faced temptation in every area of life, just like we do. He was tempted by the same desires, faced the same pressures, and experienced the same vulnerabilities that we do. The phrase "in all points" emphasizes the completeness of his experience with temptation.

"...yet without sin." This is the key difference. While Jesus experienced temptation, he never succumbed to it. He remained perfectly righteous and sinless. This is essential for his role as our High Priest. Because he is without sin, he is a perfect sacrifice and mediator who can truly reconcile us to God. His perfect obedience is the basis for our forgiveness and redemption.

In summary, Hebrews 4:15 is saying:

Jesus understands our weaknesses and suffering because he experienced human life fully.
He was tempted in every way, just like us, so he knows what it's like to struggle.
However, he never sinned, which makes him a perfect and trustworthy High Priest who can genuinely sympathize with us and offer us forgiveness and help.

Why is this important?

Comfort and Hope: It gives us comfort knowing that Jesus understands our struggles and isn't judging us from a distance.
Confidence in Prayer: We can confidently approach God through Jesus, knowing that our High Priest understands our needs and intercedes for us.
Motivation for Obedience: Knowing that Jesus faced temptation and overcame it gives us hope and encouragement to resist temptation ourselves.
Assurance of Forgiveness: Because Jesus is without sin, he can offer us complete forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

This verse is a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles, and that Jesus is a compassionate and powerful High Priest who is always there to help us.