Hebrews 9:11 - But Christ having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation,
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Hebrews 9:11" mean?
Hebrews 9:11 is a rich verse packed with theological significance. Let's break it down piece by piece to understand its meaning:
1. "But Christ having come as a high priest..."
This introduces a contrast. The previous verses (Hebrews 9:1-10) describe the Old Covenant's system of sacrifice, which was imperfect and temporary. Now, the author introduces Christ as superior.
"High priest" is a crucial term. In the Old Testament, the high priest was the key mediator between God and the people, offering sacrifices for their sins. Jesus fulfills and surpasses this role.
2. "...of the coming good things..."
"Coming good things" refers to the blessings and benefits of the New Covenant established through Jesus. These are superior to the blessings offered under the Old Covenant, including forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and eternal life. The Old Covenant was a shadow or type, pointing towards the greater reality now inaugurated by Christ.
3. "...through the greater and more perfect tabernacle..."
"Tabernacle" is a key image. The Old Testament tabernacle (and later, the Temple) was the physical place where God was believed to dwell and where sacrifices were offered. The author of Hebrews uses this as a metaphor.
"Greater and more perfect tabernacle" - This refers to something superior to the earthly tabernacle. The interpretation of what this "greater tabernacle" is is a matter of theological debate, but the main ideas are:
Christ's Body: Some believe the "greater tabernacle" refers to Christ's own physical body, which was offered as the ultimate sacrifice. Through his death and resurrection, access to God was opened. This is supported by phrases like "destroyed this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19)
Heaven itself: Others believe the "greater tabernacle" refers to heaven, the true dwelling place of God. Jesus, as high priest, entered heaven itself to offer the perfect sacrifice. This aligns with Hebrews 9:24, which says Christ entered "heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf."
Both interpretations emphasize that Christ's sacrifice transcends earthly limitations and achieves a permanent reconciliation with God.
4. "...not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation..."
This clarifies the nature of the "greater tabernacle." It is not a physical structure built by humans or part of the created world. It exists in a different realm, a spiritual and eternal reality. This further emphasizes the superiority of the New Covenant over the Old, which relied on earthly, tangible elements.
In summary, Hebrews 9:11 argues that Jesus, as the ultimate High Priest, initiated a New Covenant of greater and more perfect blessings. He achieved this not through the physical, limited structures of the Old Covenant, but through a superior means – likely referring to his own body or to heaven itself – which is not of this earthly creation. This makes his sacrifice and his ministry far more effective and enduring than anything that came before.
Key takeaways:
Christ is the fulfillment: He fulfills and surpasses the Old Testament priesthood and sacrificial system.
A New Covenant: He ushers in a New Covenant that is superior to the Old.
A spiritual reality: The focus shifts from physical, earthly rituals to a deeper, spiritual relationship with God.
Eternal access: Christ's sacrifice provides lasting access to God, unlike the temporary solutions of the Old Covenant.
Understanding this verse helps us appreciate the central message of Hebrews: Jesus is the better way, the perfect High Priest, and the one who provides true and lasting salvation.
Hebrews 9:11 - But Christ having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation,
What does "Hebrews 9:11" mean?
Hebrews 9:11 is a rich verse packed with theological significance. Let's break it down piece by piece to understand its meaning:
1. "But Christ having come as a high priest..."
This introduces a contrast. The previous verses (Hebrews 9:1-10) describe the Old Covenant's system of sacrifice, which was imperfect and temporary. Now, the author introduces Christ as superior.
"High priest" is a crucial term. In the Old Testament, the high priest was the key mediator between God and the people, offering sacrifices for their sins. Jesus fulfills and surpasses this role.
2. "...of the coming good things..."
"Coming good things" refers to the blessings and benefits of the New Covenant established through Jesus. These are superior to the blessings offered under the Old Covenant, including forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and eternal life. The Old Covenant was a shadow or type, pointing towards the greater reality now inaugurated by Christ.
3. "...through the greater and more perfect tabernacle..."
"Tabernacle" is a key image. The Old Testament tabernacle (and later, the Temple) was the physical place where God was believed to dwell and where sacrifices were offered. The author of Hebrews uses this as a metaphor.
"Greater and more perfect tabernacle" - This refers to something superior to the earthly tabernacle. The interpretation of what this "greater tabernacle" is is a matter of theological debate, but the main ideas are:
Christ's Body: Some believe the "greater tabernacle" refers to Christ's own physical body, which was offered as the ultimate sacrifice. Through his death and resurrection, access to God was opened. This is supported by phrases like "destroyed this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19)
Heaven itself: Others believe the "greater tabernacle" refers to heaven, the true dwelling place of God. Jesus, as high priest, entered heaven itself to offer the perfect sacrifice. This aligns with Hebrews 9:24, which says Christ entered "heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf."
Both interpretations emphasize that Christ's sacrifice transcends earthly limitations and achieves a permanent reconciliation with God.
4. "...not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation..."
This clarifies the nature of the "greater tabernacle." It is not a physical structure built by humans or part of the created world. It exists in a different realm, a spiritual and eternal reality. This further emphasizes the superiority of the New Covenant over the Old, which relied on earthly, tangible elements.
In summary, Hebrews 9:11 argues that Jesus, as the ultimate High Priest, initiated a New Covenant of greater and more perfect blessings. He achieved this not through the physical, limited structures of the Old Covenant, but through a superior means – likely referring to his own body or to heaven itself – which is not of this earthly creation. This makes his sacrifice and his ministry far more effective and enduring than anything that came before.
Key takeaways:
Christ is the fulfillment: He fulfills and surpasses the Old Testament priesthood and sacrificial system.
A New Covenant: He ushers in a New Covenant that is superior to the Old.
A spiritual reality: The focus shifts from physical, earthly rituals to a deeper, spiritual relationship with God.
Eternal access: Christ's sacrifice provides lasting access to God, unlike the temporary solutions of the Old Covenant.
Understanding this verse helps us appreciate the central message of Hebrews: Jesus is the better way, the perfect High Priest, and the one who provides true and lasting salvation.