It's easy to focus on Jesus's divine attributes here, but the verse quietly highlights that His work of "purification for sins" was a completed action that enabled His subsequent, eternal reign at God's right hand. This wasn't just a temporary fix, but a foundational act that permanently established His authority and paved the way for His ongoing work.
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author of Hebrews is introducing Jesus, aiming to show he is far superior to the angels previously discussed. This passage immediately follows the declaration that God has appointed His Son as the heir of all things. The text emphasizes Jesus' divine nature and eternal existence before detailing his victorious work of purifying sins and his subsequent ascension to the highest position of authority.
What does it mean to say Jesus is the 'radiance of God's glory'? Is it just a poetic description, or does it reveal something fundamental about God and Jesus?
The verse opens with a powerful declaration of Jesus' divine nature. He's described as the 'radiance of the glory of God.' Think of the sun: its glory is immense and perhaps even blinding in its pure essence. But the 'radiance' is the light that beams forth, making the sun's glory visible and knowable to us.
This isn't just about Jesus reflecting God's glory; the original language suggests an outflowing, a luminous expression that is the glory made manifest. It means that in Jesus, we see the very essence of God's splendor, perfection, and majesty. It's not a dimmer version, but the uncreated light itself, made accessible.
This truth has profound implications:
If Jesus is the 'radiance,' how else does Scripture capture His unique relationship with God's very being? What does an 'exact imprint' truly signify?
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Following the metaphor of light, the author uses another powerful image: 'the exact imprint of his nature.' Think of a seal pressed into soft wax. The imprint perfectly replicates the design of the seal – its every detail, its depth, its essence.
This phrase, 'exact imprint,' highlights several crucial aspects of Jesus' identity:
Beyond His divine nature, the verse reveals Jesus' active role in both creation and redemption. How does His power uphold the universe, and what was the cost of His purification?
The passage doesn't stop at describing Jesus' eternal being; it moves to His active power and redemptive work.
Upholding the Universe: 'He upholds the universe by the word of his power.' This is mind-blowing! It means Jesus isn't just the one who created everything (which is implied elsewhere), but He actively sustains it right now. The very fabric of reality, the laws of physics, the existence of every star and every atom, depend on His powerful word. Without Him, the universe would cease to exist.
Purification for Sins: After this declaration of cosmic power, the verse pivots to His work on the cross: 'After making purification for sins, he sat down...' This is the heart of the Gospel. The one who holds the universe together willingly subjected Himself to the ultimate act of purification – His own sacrificial death.
Understand the original words
doxa · Greek Noun
The manifestation of God’s own essence and divine presence. As the 'radiance' of this glory, Christ reflects the brightness and reality of God's being.
charaktēr · Greek Noun
The exact representation or 'stamp' of God's essence; it implies that Christ possesses the same divine nature as the Father in a visible and verifiable way.
katharismos · Greek Noun
The act of cleansing away moral impurity and guilt. In the context of Christ, it refers to his once-for-all sacrificial death that deals with the penalty and power of sin.
dexios · Greek Noun
A position of supreme power, authority, and honor. To sit at the right hand is to share in the ruling reign of the King.
This verse was written during a time when Jewish Christians were wrestling with the transition from the Old Covenant's rituals to the New Covenant established by Christ. The author emphasizes Jesus' supreme authority and his finished work of atonement, contrasting it with the ongoing, imperfect sacrifices of the Temple.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites' miraculous deliverance from slavery in Egypt, marked by God's powerful intervention and the establishment of the Mosaic Law.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Dynasty Established
King David establishes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and the Davidic monarchy becomes a symbol of God's covenant with His people.
c. 700 BC
Prophetic Ministry Flourishes
Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah speak God's word, calling Israel to repentance and foretelling future judgment and restoration.
587 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, leading to the exile of many Israelites.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Key figures, including Daniel, are exiled to Babylon, initiating the period of Babylonian captivity.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus Christ is crucified, making atonement for sins, and then rises from the dead, conquering death.
c. AD 60-70
Composition of the Book of Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews is written, likely in Rome, to encourage Jewish Christians facing persecution and doubt.
This passage describes Jesus as being 'with God' and 'being God' in the beginning, echoing Hebrews 1:3's depiction of Christ's divine nature and eternal existence.
Colossians 1:15-17These verses present Christ as the 'image of the invisible God,' the creator and sustainer of all things, mirroring the descriptions of Christ's glory and his upholding of the universe in Hebrews 1:3.
Psalm 110:1This Messianic psalm, directly quoted in Hebrews, speaks of the Lord saying to 'my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.' This anticipates Christ's enthronement and authority after his sacrifice.
1 Peter 3:22This verse states that Christ 'is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after having been subjected to angels, authorities, and powers,' directly paralleling the conclusion of Hebrews 1:3 regarding Christ's exalted position.
ellicottHebrews 1:3: "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;"
(3) Who being the brightness . . . — Who being the effulgence of His glory and the exact image of His substance. The first figure is familiar to us in the words of the Nicene Creed (themselves derived from this verse and a commentary upon it), “God of God, Light of…
wesleyHebrews 1:3: "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;"
1:3 Who sat down - The third of these glorious predicates, with which three other particulars are interwoven, which are mentioned likewise, and in the same order, Col 1:15,17,20. Who, being - The glory which he received in his exaltation at the right hand of the Fat…
It's easy to focus on Jesus's divine attributes here, but the verse quietly highlights that His work of "purification for sins" was a completed action that enabled His subsequent, eternal reign at God's right hand. This wasn't just a temporary fix, but a foundational act that permanently established His authority and paved the way for His ongoing work.
The author of Hebrews is introducing Jesus, aiming to show he is far superior to the angels previously discussed. This passage immediately follows the declaration that God has appointed His Son as the heir of all things. The text emphasizes Jesus' divine nature and eternal existence before detailing his victorious work of purifying sins and his subsequent ascension to the highest position of authority.
The author of Hebrews is introducing Jesus, aiming to show he is far superior to the angels previously discussed. This passage immediately follows the declaration that God has appointed His Son as the heir of all things. The text emphasizes Jesus' divine nature and eternal existence before detailing his victorious work of purifying sins and his subsequent ascension to the highest position of authority.
"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high," — It's easy to focus on Jesus's divine attributes here, but the verse quietly highlights that His work of "purification for sins" was a completed action that enabled His subsequent, eternal reign a…
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Last reviewed October 2026
