What's easily missed is that Jesus isn't just like Moses and Aaron; He is both the messenger sent by God (Apostle) and the one who pleads our case with God (High Priest) – a unique combination of roles that fulfills what the Old Testament only showed in separate figures. This means Jesus speaks God's word to us and our pleas to God, holding both critical roles simultaneously for us.
Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Having just detailed Christ's superiority over angels and humanity in the previous chapter, the author now urges his readers to fix their gaze firmly on Jesus. He calls them "holy brothers" and "partakers of a heavenly calling," reminding them that their identity and destiny are secured by Christ. This verse serves as a transition, introducing Jesus in his dual role as God's messenger to us and our advocate before God, setting the stage for comparing him with Moses and Aaron in the following verses.
Did you know the way you're addressed in this verse carries profound meaning? It's not just a casual greeting.
The author of Hebrews calls his readers 'holy brethren' who are 'partakers of a heavenly calling.'
Holy
This isn't about being perfect, but about being set apart for God. Because of Christ's work, believers are consecrated and belong to God, much like the Old Testament Israelites were called a 'holy people.'
Brethren
This highlights our deep connection to Christ, who is not ashamed to call us brothers (Hebrews 2:11). We're part of God's family, united in our faith.
Partakers of a Heavenly Calling
This means we've been called by God from heaven, and our ultimate destination is heaven. It's a call to a new reality, not just earthly blessings.
Jesus is called by two powerful titles here, roles He uniquely fulfills. What does that mean for us?
The verse presents Jesus with two crucial roles: Apostle and High Priest.
The Apostle
As God's Apostle, Jesus is God's ultimate messenger, sent directly from the Father to reveal God's will and His plan to us. Think of Him as the perfect Prophet, speaking God's truth with absolute authority. This role is compared to Moses, who was God's messenger to Israel, but Jesus far surpasses Moses.
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The High Priest
As our High Priest, Jesus acts as our mediator before God. He represents us, pleading our case to the Father. This role is compared to the Levitical high priests like Aaron, but Jesus' sacrifice is final and His priesthood is eternal. He bridges the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity.
Together, these roles emphasize that Jesus is our sole Mediator, embodying both God's divine communication and our access to Him.
The 'confession' mentioned here isn't just a statement of belief; it's an active engagement with God's truth.
The phrase 'of our confession' (or 'profession') points to the public avowal of our faith in Jesus.
What is this Confession?
It's the declaration we make about who Jesus is and what He has done for us. It's based on the truth He revealed as God's Apostle and the salvation He secured as our High Priest. This confession is the foundation of our Christian identity.
A Response to God's Action
This confession isn't made in a vacuum. It's our response to God's 'heavenly calling' and Jesus' divine work. When we confess Jesus, we are affirming our trust in Him and His completed work on the cross and His ongoing intercession for us.
It Matters!
Our confession is serious business. It's what binds us to Christ and to one another as believers. The author wants us to consider Jesus in light of this confession – to ensure our understanding and commitment are firm.
Understand the original words
hagios adelphos · Greek Adjective and Noun
A designation for believers, indicating those set apart for God's purposes and made righteous through faith in Christ; emphasizing their shared spiritual identity and common relationship with God.
klēsis epouranios · Greek Adjective and Noun
An invitation to divine fellowship and salvation; it is the summons from God to experience the eternal blessings of His kingdom, initiated and sustained by Him.
apostolos · Greek Noun
One who is sent with a specific mission or authority; in this context, it refers to Jesus as the One commissioned and sent by the Father to represent Him to humanity.
archiereus · Greek Noun
A mediator between God and people who offers sacrifices and prayers on behalf of the people; Jesus serves as the ultimate mediator who offered His own life as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice.
homologia · Greek Noun
The act of professing, declaring, or agreeing with God's truth; it refers to the Christian faith or creed that believers hold to and publicly declare.
pistos · Greek Adjective
The quality of being steady, reliable, and true to one's duties or covenant; it implies unwavering adherence to a trust or commission given by a superior.
oikos · Greek Noun
In the context of the Old Testament, it refers to the household of God, meaning His people, His community, or His dwelling place on earth; it signifies God's governance over His chosen assembly.
This passage speaks of Jesus being sent by the Father, directly paralleling the concept of Jesus as the 'Apostle' mentioned in Hebrews 3:1, highlighting His divine mission.
Exodus 3:10Here, God commissions Moses, calling him to be sent to Pharaoh. This echoes the idea of Moses as an 'apostle' or messenger, whom Jesus is implicitly compared to in Hebrews 3:1 as a superior messenger.
Leviticus 16:1-34This chapter details the role and duties of the High Priest in the Old Testament, providing the background against which Jesus' superior role as High Priest in Hebrews 3:1 is understood.
1 Timothy 6:12This verse speaks of 'fighting the good fight of faith' and holding onto the confession of faith, connecting to the 'confession' of our faith mentioned in Hebrews 3:1 for which Jesus serves as Apostle and High Priest.
Philippians 3:14Paul describes pressing on toward the 'heavenward call of God in Christ Jesus,' which directly relates to the 'heavenly calling' mentioned in Hebrews 3:1 that believers share.
wesleyHebrews 3:1: "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;"
3:1 The heavenly calling - God calls from heaven, and to heaven, by the gospel. Consider the Apostle - The messenger of God, who pleads the cause of God with us. And High Priest - Who pleads our cause with God. Both are contained in the one word Mediator. He compares Christ, as an Apostle, with Moses; as a Priest, with Aaron. Both these offices, which…
pulpitHebrews 3:1: "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;"
Verse 1. - Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus (Ξριστὸν before Ἰησοῦν is ill supported, and to be rejected from the text). Reference to what has gone before is perceptible throughout this verse. The persons addressed are "holy," as being among the "sanctified" (Hebrew…
What's easily missed is that Jesus isn't just like Moses and Aaron; He is both the messenger sent by God (Apostle) and the one who pleads our case with God (High Priest) – a unique combination of roles that fulfills what the Old Testament only showed in separate figures. This means Jesus speaks God's word to us and our pleas to God, holding both critical roles simultaneously for us.
Having just detailed Christ's superiority over angels and humanity in the previous chapter, the author now urges his readers to fix their gaze firmly on Jesus. He calls them "holy brothers" and "partakers of a heavenly calling," reminding them that their identity and destiny are secured by Christ. This verse serves as a transition, introducing Jesus in his dual role as God's messenger to us and our advocate before God, setting the stage for comparing him with Moses and Aaron in the following verses.
Having just detailed Christ's superiority over angels and humanity in the previous chapter, the author now urges his readers to fix their gaze firmly on Jesus. He calls them "holy brothers" and "partakers of a heavenly calling," reminding them that their identity and destiny are secured by Christ. This verse serves as a transition, introducing Jesus in his dual role as God's messenger to us and our advocate before God, setting the stage for comparing him with Moses and Aaron in the following verses.
"Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house." — What's easily missed is that Jesus isn't just like Moses and Aaron; He is both the messenger sent by God (Apostle) and the one who pleads our case with God (High Priest) – a unique combination…
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Last reviewed October 2026
