Hebrews 3:1-2
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)
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The text urges believers to "consider Jesus," not just as a religious figure, but specifically as an "Apostle" sent by God and our "High Priest" who advocates for us before God. This dual role, combining the roles of messenger and mediator, is essential to understanding Jesus' unique position for believers, far surpassing any earthly leaders like Moses or Aaron.
Building on the awe-inspiring portrayal of Jesus' superiority over angels in the previous chapter, the author now directly addresses the readers as "holy brothers" and "partakers of a heavenly calling." This verse serves as a pivotal exhortation, urging them to fix their gaze on Jesus, not just as a messenger (apostle) from God, but as their supreme High Priest who advocates for them before God. The writer's aim is to pivot their attention from the old covenant figures like Moses and Aaron to the singular, perfect fulfillment found in Christ, thereby solidifying their Christian faith.
You're not just part of a group; you're part of God's family, invited to something far greater than this world.
The verse opens with a powerful address: 'holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling.'
Set Apart for God
This is the foundation of who you are as a believer – set apart and called to a higher purpose.
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Who is Jesus, really? This verse gives us two crucial titles that unlock His immense significance for us.
The core of the verse is the command to 'consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.' Let's break down these vital roles:
Two Sides of His Mission
These two roles are perfectly combined in Jesus. As Apostle, He speaks for God to us. As High Priest, He speaks for us to God.
What we believe and declare about Jesus isn't just words; it's the very foundation of our relationship with Him.
The phrase 'of our confession' ties everything together. It points to the Christian faith we publicly avow and privately hold.
Faith Anchored in Truth
When we consider Jesus as our Apostle and High Priest, we are called to fix our attention on Him as the one we confess and trust.
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.
The author calls believers to 'consider Jesus,' drawing a powerful contrast with Moses and Aaron. In light of the historical events of the Exodus, the wilderness wandering, and the establishment of the Levitical priesthood, Jesus is presented as the ultimate Apostle (like Moses) and High Priest (like Aaron), but superior to both. This is crucial for a community potentially wavering in their commitment, reminding them of the ultimate reality they now have access to through Christ.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through Moses, initiating their journey to the Promised Land and establishing the Mosaic covenant.
c. 1446-1406 BC
Wilderness Wandering
The Israelites wander in the Sinai desert for 40 years, during which Moses serves as their leader and mediator, receiving God's law.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites enter and begin conquering the Promised Land, fulfilling God's promises to Abraham.
c. 10th Century BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
King David unifies Israel, establishing Jerusalem as the capital and setting the stage for a Davidic dynasty, a lineage from which the Messiah would come.
c. 6th Century BC
Babylonian Exile
The Southern Kingdom of Judah is conquered by Babylon, and many of its people, including priests and royalty, are exiled, leading to a re-evaluation of their identity and faith.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great permits the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, marking a significant moment of restoration and renewed hope.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Ministry, Crucifixion, and Resurrection
Jesus, the Son of God, carries out his ministry, is crucified, and rises again, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and establishing a new covenant.
This passage emphasizes Jesus as the 'sent one' from the Father, directly mirroring the concept of Jesus as the 'Apostle' in Hebrews 3:1, who is sent to represent God to humanity.
Exodus 3:10Here, God commissions Moses, calling him to be His messenger, which aligns with the understanding of Jesus as the great 'Apostle' sent by God, fulfilling a similar representative role but on a grander scale.
Leviticus 16:3This Old Testament passage describes the high priest's duties, providing the foundational context for understanding Jesus' superior role as the ultimate High Priest in Hebrews 3:1, who mediates a new covenant.
1 Timothy 2:5This verse clearly states there is one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, reinforcing the combined roles of Apostle and High Priest as described in Hebrews 3:1, highlighting Jesus' unique mediatorial function.
Hebrews 4:14This verse directly reiterates that believers have 'a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God,' underscoring the central theme of Jesus' high priestly role introduced in Hebrews 3:1.
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…
The text urges believers to "consider Jesus," not just as a religious figure, but specifically as an "Apostle" sent by God and our "High Priest" who advocates for us before God. This dual role, combining the roles of messenger and mediator, is essential to understanding Jesus' unique position for believers, far surpassing any earthly leaders like Moses or Aaron.
Building on the awe-inspiring portrayal of Jesus' superiority over angels in the previous chapter, the author now directly addresses the readers as "holy brothers" and "partakers of a heavenly calling." This verse serves as a pivotal exhortation, urging them to fix their gaze on Jesus, not just as a messenger (apostle) from God, but as their supreme High Priest who advocates for them before God. The writer's aim is to pivot their attention from the old covenant figures like Moses and Aaron to the singular, perfect fulfillment found in Christ, thereby solidifying their Christian faith.
Building on the awe-inspiring portrayal of Jesus' superiority over angels in the previous chapter, the author now directly addresses the readers as "holy brothers" and "partakers of a heavenly calling." This verse serves as a pivotal exhortation, urging them to fix their gaze on Jesus, not just as a messenger (apostle) from God, but as their supreme High Priest who advocates for them before God. The writer's aim is to pivot their attention from the old covenant figures like Moses and Aaron to the singular, perfect fulfillment found in Christ, thereby solidifying their Christian faith.
"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." — The text urges believers to "consider Jesus," not just as a religious figure, but specifically as an "Apostle" sent by God and our "High Priest" who advocates for us before God. This dual role, combi…
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