Hebrews 10:19-20
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The phrase "in the blood of Jesus" isn't just about the power of his sacrifice, but the actual blood itself as the ground for our confidence. It highlights that our boldness to approach God isn't a fuzzy feeling, but is directly linked to the tangible, real shedding of Jesus' blood, which secured our access.
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is concluding a lengthy argument about Jesus' superior priesthood and the inadequacy of Old Covenant sacrifices. Having demonstrated that Christ’s sacrifice perfectly atones for sin, the text pivots to practical exhortation. This verse kicks off a new section, encouraging believers to live out the implications of Christ’s completed work, which grants them direct access to God’s presence.
The Old Testament had strict boundaries for approaching God. How does Jesus change that access for us today?
This verse is a pivotal point in Hebrews, transitioning from doctrinal explanation to practical application. The author, having established Jesus' superiority as High Priest and the ultimate sacrifice, now declares the incredible privilege believers have: "confidence" (or boldness) to enter "the holy places."
The old way to God was fraught with fear and limitation. What makes Jesus' way fundamentally different?
The author of Hebrews isn't just saying Jesus offers a better sacrifice or a more efficient way to God; He offers a new and living way.
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Understand the original words
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.
hodos · Greek Noun
A spiritual metaphor for the path or means by which a person approaches God. It denotes both the method and the person of Jesus Christ, who is the exclusive way to the Father.
katapetasma · Greek Noun
In the Old Testament, the veil separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Symbolically, it represents the barrier between a holy God and sinful humanity, which Christ’s sacrifice removed.
The imagery of entering the 'holiest' by Jesus' blood powerfully contrasts with the Old Testament's strict limitations and the eventual destruction of the physical Temple, highlighting Christ's permanent, spiritual access to God for all believers.
~1445 BC
Tabernacle Construction Completed
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites constructed the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary. This structure, with its distinct Holy Place and Most Holy Place (the Holy of Holies), served as the central point of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among them.
~960 BC
Solomon's Temple Dedicated
King Solomon built the First Temple in Jerusalem, a magnificent and permanent structure that replaced the Tabernacle. It housed the Ark of the Covenant in its Most Holy Place, continuing the symbolic separation and access to God.
586 BC
Destruction of the First Temple
The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and the First Temple, bringing an end to this era of worship and national identity. This event marked the beginning of the Babylonian exile for the Judean people.
~516 BC
Second Temple Completed
After the Babylonian exile, the returned Jewish exiles, with permission from the Persian Empire, rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem. While less grand than Solomon's, it reestablished the center of Jewish worship and sacrifice.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus Christ is crucified in Jerusalem, and Christians believe he rose from the dead three days later. This event is seen as the ultimate sacrifice, superseding all previous temple sacrifices.
c. AD 70
Destruction of the Second Temple
The Roman army under Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Temple. This event ended the system of Levitical sacrifices and the need for a physical sanctuary as described in the Old Testament.
This passage describes the veil in the tabernacle, which separated the Holy of Holies. Hebrews 10:19 builds on this imagery, explaining that Jesus' sacrifice has opened a new and living way for us to enter God's presence, directly referencing the significance of that ancient veil.
Leviticus 16:2This verse highlights that only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year, emphasizing the exclusivity and solemnity of God's presence. Hebrews 10:19 contrasts this with the 'boldness' believers now have to enter through Christ's sacrifice.
Isaiah 53:5This prophecy speaks of the Suffering Servant being 'pierced for our transgressions' and that 'by his wounds we are healed.' This powerfully connects to Hebrews 10:19, showing that Jesus' atoning blood, which grants us access to God, was shed precisely for our sins.
John 14:6Jesus declares, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' This directly supports the concept in Hebrews 10:19 that access to God's presence ('the holiest') is exclusively through Christ and His atoning sacrifice.
Romans 5:1-2This passage states that 'since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand.' It beautifully echoes the theme of Hebrews 10:19, emphasizing that our peace and access to God are established through Jesus.
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 "in the blood of Jesus" isn't just about the power of his sacrifice, but the actual blood itself as the ground for our confidence. It highlights that our boldness to approach God isn't a fuzzy feeling, but is directly linked to the tangible, real shedding of Jesus' blood, which secured our access.
The author is concluding a lengthy argument about Jesus' superior priesthood and the inadequacy of Old Covenant sacrifices. Having demonstrated that Christ’s sacrifice perfectly atones for sin, the text pivots to practical exhortation. This verse kicks off a new section, encouraging believers to live out the implications of Christ’s completed work, which grants them direct access to God’s presence.
The author is concluding a lengthy argument about Jesus' superior priesthood and the inadequacy of Old Covenant sacrifices. Having demonstrated that Christ’s sacrifice perfectly atones for sin, the text pivots to practical exhortation. This verse kicks off a new section, encouraging believers to live out the implications of Christ’s completed work, which grants them direct access to God’s presence.
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh," — The phrase "in the blood of Jesus" isn't just about the power of his sacrifice, but the actual blood itself as the ground for our confidence. It highlights that our boldness to approach God isn…
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Last reviewed October 2026
