Hebrews 13:20
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse connects Christ's resurrection to His role as the Great Shepherd specifically through the blood of the eternal covenant. This highlights that His leadership and care for us aren't just based on His power, but on the sacrificial price paid, making Him our Shepherd precisely because of His atoning death and subsequent resurrection.
This powerful closing prayer is a response to the author's request for prayer from his readers. It acknowledges the potential for division and unrest among the believers, highlighting Jesus as the "great Shepherd" who brings peace. The prayer is grounded in the God's act of raising Jesus from the dead through the blood that ratified an eternal covenant, a pivotal event that secured both Christ's exultation and the believers' salvation.
Have you ever felt torn between different ideas or people? This verse begins with a powerful title for God that speaks directly to that tension.
The phrase 'God of peace' appears several times in the New Testament, often in contexts where unity, reconciliation, or harmony is needed.
This prayer highlights a pivotal moment in history – God raising Jesus from the dead. But why is this connected to Jesus as a shepherd?
The resurrection of Jesus isn't just a past event; it's the source of His authority and the foundation for His shepherding work.
Understand the original words
eirēnē · Greek Noun
The title given to God because He is the source of inner harmony, reconciliation, and the cessation of hostility between God and humanity through Jesus Christ.
poimēn · Greek Noun
The One who cares for, guides, and protects His people; an image used for Jesus to describe His sacrificial love and authority over His church.
haima · Greek Noun
The sacrificial death of Jesus, which serves as the formal foundation for the New Covenant, ensuring its validity and its everlasting nature before God.
diathēkē · Greek Noun
A solemn, binding agreement between God and His people, which is 'eternal' because it is based on the finished, unchangeable work of Christ and cannot be revoked.
This benediction draws on the entire sweep of redemptive history, from the covenant at Sinai to the prophecies pointing to Christ, culminating in His resurrection, which cemented His role as the Great Shepherd through the blood of the everlasting covenant.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus and Covenant at Sinai
God delivers Israel from Egypt, and the Mosaic covenant is established with the shedding of blood, signifying an agreement between God and His people.
c. 700 BC
Zechariah's Prophecy
The prophet Zechariah speaks of God sending forth prisoners out of a pit by the blood of a covenant, a prophecy understood to point towards a future redemptive act.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Exile
The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonians leads to the exile of many Judeans, a time of great distress for God's people.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Crucifixion and Sacrifice
Jesus Christ is crucified, and His blood is shed, ratifying the 'new and everlasting covenant' promised by prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel.
This passage directly calls Jesus the 'good shepherd,' which is expanded in Hebrews 13:20 to 'the great shepherd,' emphasizing His sacrificial role and care for His flock.
Zechariah 9:11This Old Testament prophecy speaks of prisoners being released 'by the blood of thy covenant,' echoing the phrase in Hebrews 13:20 and linking the covenant's blood to liberation and salvation.
Romans 15:33This verse, and others like it in Paul's letters, frequently uses the title 'God of peace,' highlighting God's role as the source of reconciliation and harmony, a theme that culminates in this benediction.
1 Peter 5:4Peter also refers to Jesus as the 'chief Shepherd,' reinforcing the concept presented in Hebrews 13:20 and connecting it to the future reward of glory for believers.
Hebrews 9:14This passage explains how the blood of Christ, through the eternal Spirit, cleanses consciences and ratifies the new covenant, providing a foundational understanding for the 'blood of the everlasting covenant' mentioned in Hebrews 13:20.
vincentHebrews 13:20: "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,"
The God of peaceNot an O.T. phrase, and found only in Paul and Hebrews. See Romans 15:33; Romans 16:20; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Philippians 4:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 3:16. The phrase signifies God who is the author and giver of peace.Who brought again from the dead (ὁ ἀναγαγὼν ἐκ νεκρῶν)The only direct referen…
barnesHebrews 13:20: "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,"
Now the God of peace - God who is the Author, or the source of peace; notes, 1 Thessalonians 5:23 . The word "peace" in the New Testament is used to denote every kind of blessing or happiness. It is opposed to all that would disturb or trouble the mind, and may refer, therefore, to reconciliation with God; to a quiet conscience;…
The verse connects Christ's resurrection to His role as the Great Shepherd specifically through the blood of the eternal covenant. This highlights that His leadership and care for us aren't just based on His power, but on the sacrificial price paid, making Him our Shepherd precisely because of His atoning death and subsequent resurrection.
This powerful closing prayer is a response to the author's request for prayer from his readers. It acknowledges the potential for division and unrest among the believers, highlighting Jesus as the "great Shepherd" who brings peace. The prayer is grounded in the God's act of raising Jesus from the dead through the blood that ratified an eternal covenant, a pivotal event that secured both Christ's exultation and the believers' salvation.
This powerful closing prayer is a response to the author's request for prayer from his readers. It acknowledges the potential for division and unrest among the believers, highlighting Jesus as the "great Shepherd" who brings peace. The prayer is grounded in the God's act of raising Jesus from the dead through the blood that ratified an eternal covenant, a pivotal event that secured both Christ's exultation and the believers' salvation.
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What does the 'blood of the eternal covenant' have to do with Jesus being our Shepherd and God bringing Him back to life?
This phrase ties together the sacrifice, the resurrection, and the ongoing security of God's people.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Resurrection of Jesus Christ
God raises Jesus from the dead, validating His sacrifice and establishing Him as the Great Shepherd of His sheep, fulfilling the prophetic promises.
c. AD 60-70
Writing of the Epistle to the Hebrews
The author, likely writing to Jewish believers facing persecution and internal division, emphasizes Christ's superiority over the Old Covenant and the finality of His sacrifice. This prayer serves as a closing blessing.
"Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant," — The verse connects Christ's resurrection to His role as the Great Shepherd specifically through the blood of the eternal covenant. This highlights that His leadership and care for us aren't just ba…
