Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easy to miss is that Jesus isn't just saying He's here to do God's will; He's declaring that His very coming and the Scriptures predicting it are the foundational proof of His purpose. This isn't a passive statement, but an active embrace of His divinely appointed mission, revealed from the beginning of the biblical narrative.
Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author of Hebrews is arguing that Jesus' sacrifice is superior to the animal sacrifices offered under the Old Covenant, which were insufficient to truly cleanse sin. This verse quotes Psalm 40, presenting Jesus as the one who willingly comes to fulfill God's plan, a plan prophesied in Scripture and ultimately accomplished through his own body. This declaration sets the stage for explaining how Jesus' single, perfect offering replaces all others and grants us access to God.
Imagine stepping onto a stage knowing your lines are written, your role defined, and your purpose clear. Jesus does just that in this verse.
When Jesus says, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book,' He's declaring His absolute alignment with God's eternal plan.
What does it truly mean to 'do God's will'? Jesus answers this by defining His own purpose.
The core of Jesus' mission, as stated in Hebrews 10:7, is 'to do your will, O God.' This declaration is profound because it goes beyond mere compliance; it signifies perfect, willing obedience.
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Understand the original words
thelema · Greek Noun
The divine decree, purpose, or moral standard of God that humanity is called to obey and align with.
This verse, quoting Psalm 40, highlights how Jesus' coming was not a surprise event but the anticipated fulfillment of God's plan written throughout the Old Testament Scriptures, showing His ultimate desire for obedience over mere ritual.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Flourishes
King David reigns, a period of relative peace and expansion for Israel. This psalm, likely composed during his reign, reflects on God's faithfulness and the king's personal commitment.
c. 750 BC
Prophetic Ministry Begins
Prophets like Isaiah and Amos begin to speak, often emphasizing God's dissatisfaction with empty ritual and calling for justice and true obedience.
c. 550 BC
Exile and Restoration Period
While the main exile to Babylon is later, this period sees a growing awareness of Israel's covenant unfaithfulness and the need for a deeper fulfillment of God's will.
c. 400 BC
Old Testament Canon Forms
The writings of the Old Testament, including the Psalms and the Law of Moses, are largely compiled and recognized as authoritative Scripture.
c. 4 BC - AD 30/33— this verse
Ministry of Jesus Christ
Jesus' earthly life, ministry, death, and resurrection fulfill the prophecies and foreshadowings of the Old Testament, embodying the perfect obedience and sacrifice spoken of in Psalm 40.
c. AD 60-64
Authorship of Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews is written, likely in Rome, to Jewish Christians facing persecution or doubt, urging them to hold fast to their faith in Christ.
This is the very passage from the Old Testament that Hebrews is quoting and applying to Jesus, highlighting His willing obedience and the insufficiency of animal sacrifices.
Isaiah 53:10This prophetic passage describes the suffering servant whose offering will be 'for guilt,' showing the Old Testament's anticipation of Christ's atoning work, which fulfills God's will.
John 6:38Jesus Himself states, 'I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me,' directly echoing the sentiment of Hebrews 10:7.
Philippians 2:8This verse describes Jesus being 'obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross,' illustrating the ultimate act of doing His Father's will.
ellicottHebrews 10:7: "Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God."
(7) Lo, I come. —Rather, Lo, I am come —I am here. The original meaning of the following words is not quite certain. The Hebrew admits of two renderings. (1) Then I said, Lo, I am come! in the roll of the Book it is prescribed unto me; (2) Then I said, Lo, I am come with the roll of the Book that is written concerning me. The “roll of the Book” is the roll containing the Divine Law. T…
barnesHebrews 10:7: "Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God."
Then said I-- "I the Messiah." Paul applies this directly to Christ, showing that he regarded the passage in the Psalms as referring to him as the speaker. Lo, I come - Come into the world; Hebrews 10:5. It is not easy to see how this could be applied to David in any circumstance of his life. There was no situation in which he could say that, since sacrifices and offerings were not wh…
What's easy to miss is that Jesus isn't just saying He's here to do God's will; He's declaring that His very coming and the Scriptures predicting it are the foundational proof of His purpose. This isn't a passive statement, but an active embrace of His divinely appointed mission, revealed from the beginning of the biblical narrative.
The author of Hebrews is arguing that Jesus' sacrifice is superior to the animal sacrifices offered under the Old Covenant, which were insufficient to truly cleanse sin. This verse quotes Psalm 40, presenting Jesus as the one who willingly comes to fulfill God's plan, a plan prophesied in Scripture and ultimately accomplished through his own body. This declaration sets the stage for explaining how Jesus' single, perfect offering replaces all others and grants us access to God.
The author of Hebrews is arguing that Jesus' sacrifice is superior to the animal sacrifices offered under the Old Covenant, which were insufficient to truly cleanse sin. This verse quotes Psalm 40, presenting Jesus as the one who willingly comes to fulfill God's plan, a plan prophesied in Scripture and ultimately accomplished through his own body. This declaration sets the stage for explaining how Jesus' single, perfect offering replaces all others and grants us access to God.
"Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”" — What's easy to miss is that Jesus isn't just saying He's here to do God's will; He's declaring that His very coming and the Scriptures predicting it are the foundational proof of His purpose. Thi…
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Last reviewed October 2026