Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "by the blood of Jesus" doesn't just mean because of his blood, but rather, that we have boldness in the power and virtue of that blood. This blood is not a one-time payment to get us in, but the very ground of our confident access to God's presence, enabling us to approach Him continually.
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Having just detailed Christ's superior, once-for-all sacrifice that truly atones for sin, the author transitions to urging his readers to live out the implications of this truth. He reminds them that because of Jesus' blood, believers now have direct and confident access to God's presence, a privilege far beyond that of the Old Testament sanctuary. This newfound boldness is the foundation for the exhortations that follow, calling them to persevere in faith and community.
Imagine the awe and dread of approaching the unapproachable. For ancient Israel, this was the reality of entering God's presence. But something radical shifted with Jesus.
The word for 'boldness' here isn't just about being unafraid; it's about having full confidence and liberty. In the Old Testament, only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and even then with extreme caution and specific rituals. The people were kept at a distance. But through Jesus' sacrifice, this separation is gone. We, as believers, are granted 'boldness' – a direct, confident access – into the very 'holy places' where God dwells.
The 'holy places' are accessible, but how? It's not through our own merit or effort, but through a singular, potent act. What makes this access possible?
The verse specifies that our boldness is 'by the blood of Jesus.' This isn't just a passive mention; it's the very foundation of our access. The blood of Jesus, unlike the animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant which could never truly cleanse, is presented as the effective means through which Christ Himself entered the heavenly sanctuary for us. It's the ultimate sacrifice that deals with sin and opens the way for us to approach a holy God. This blood signifies His finished work, His atonement, and the ratification of the new covenant.
Understand the original words
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parrēsia · Greek Noun
Boldness, freedom of speech, or courageous confidence. In the NT, it describes the believer’s privilege to approach God directly without fear, based on the completed work of Christ.
hagios · Greek Noun
The most sacred space in the Tabernacle or Temple where God’s presence dwelt. In the New Covenant, this refers to the heavenly realm or the immediate presence of God.
The verse speaks of 'confidence to enter the holy places' through Christ's blood. This is a direct contrast to the Old Testament system where access to God was heavily restricted, symbolized by the inner sanctuary (the Holy of Holies) and the annual, fear-filled entry of the High Priest. The destruction of the Temple in AD 70 would have made this point even more profound, underscoring that Christ's sacrifice permanently opened a way that was once physically and ritually barred.
c. 1446 BC
Construction of the Tabernacle
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites constructed the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary with a Most Holy Place, accessible only to the High Priest once a year. This established the concept of a divinely appointed, restricted access to God's presence.
c. 960 BC
Dedication of Solomon's Temple
Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem became the permanent center of Israelite worship, featuring a Holy of Holies. Access remained strictly limited, reinforcing the separation between God and humanity due to sin.
70 AD
Destruction of the Second Temple
The Roman army destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple. This event marked the definitive end of the sacrificial system and the priesthood described in the Old Testament, highlighting the transition to a new covenant.
c. AD 60-70— this verse
Authorship of Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews was written during a period when many Jewish Christians were likely facing persecution or the temptation to revert to Mosaic practices. The Temple's destruction may have already occurred or was imminent, intensifying the need to understand Christ's superior sacrifice.
This verse describes God meeting with Israel in the Most Holy Place, the heavenly sanctuary Christ opens access to in Hebrews 10:19.
Leviticus 16:2This passage highlights the restrictions on entering the Most Holy Place, underscoring the 'boldness' and unique access believers now have through Christ's sacrifice, as mentioned in Hebrews 10:19.
Isaiah 53:5This prophecy speaks of the Suffering Servant being wounded for our transgressions, which directly relates to Jesus' blood being the very means of our access to God as stated in Hebrews 10:19.
John 14:6Jesus declares Himself 'the way, the truth, and the life,' a concept that resonates with the 'new and living way' through Christ's blood that grants access in Hebrews 10:19.
Romans 5:2This verse explains how believers have access to God's grace through faith in Jesus, mirroring the confidence and boldness to enter God's presence that comes by Christ's blood in Hebrews 10:19.
ellicottHebrews 10:19: "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,"
(19) The exhortation which here begins is very similar to that of Hebrews 4:14-16 . Its greater fulness and expressiveness are in accordance with the development in the thought. Therefore.—The chief thoughts taken up are those expressed in Hebrews 9:11-12. The word “boldness” has occurred in Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 4:16. (See the Notes.) By the blood of Jesus.—Better, in the blood of Jesus; for t…
vincentHebrews 10:19: "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,"
To enter into the holiest (εἰς τὴν εἴσοδον τῶν ἁγίων)Lit. for the entering of the holiest. The phrase παρρησία εἰς boldness unto, N.T.o. Παρρησία with περὶ concerning, John 16:25; with πρὸςwith reference to, 2 Corinthians 7:4; 1 John 3:21; 1 John 5:14. Ἔισοδος in N.T. habitually of the act of entering.By the blood (ἐν τῷ αἵματι)Lit. "in the blood": in the power or virtue of.
The phrase "by the blood of Jesus" doesn't just mean because of his blood, but rather, that we have boldness in the power and virtue of that blood. This blood is not a one-time payment to get us in, but the very ground of our confident access to God's presence, enabling us to approach Him continually.
Having just detailed Christ's superior, once-for-all sacrifice that truly atones for sin, the author transitions to urging his readers to live out the implications of this truth. He reminds them that because of Jesus' blood, believers now have direct and confident access to God's presence, a privilege far beyond that of the Old Testament sanctuary. This newfound boldness is the foundation for the exhortations that follow, calling them to persevere in faith and community.
Having just detailed Christ's superior, once-for-all sacrifice that truly atones for sin, the author transitions to urging his readers to live out the implications of this truth. He reminds them that because of Jesus' blood, believers now have direct and confident access to God's presence, a privilege far beyond that of the Old Testament sanctuary. This newfound boldness is the foundation for the exhortations that follow, calling them to persevere in faith and community.
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus," — The phrase "by the blood of Jesus" doesn't just mean because of his blood, but rather, that we have boldness in the power and virtue of that blood. This blood is not a one-time payment to get us…
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Last reviewed October 2026