Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text doesn't just say Jesus "passed into" the heavens, but "passed through" the heavens. This emphasizes that His journey wasn't to a mere intermediary space, but all the way through to God's immediate presence, much like the high priest passing through the Holy Place to the Holy of Holies. This accomplishment is the powerful foundation for why we can confidently hold onto our faith in Him.
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is drawing together key ideas from previous chapters, particularly Christ's identity as the great High Priest, His exaltation, His divine Sonship, and His compassion for humanity. Having just emphasized the penetrating power of God's Word, the text now urges believers to firmly hold onto their faith in Jesus, their High Priest, who has already passed through the heavens into God's presence. This is presented as the logical response to having such a magnificent mediator.
Jesus didn't just go to heaven; He went through it. What does this profound journey mean for us?
The phrase "passed through the heavens" is incredibly significant. Unlike the earthly high priest who entered the Most Holy Place once a year, Jesus' passage was a singular, definitive event. He didn't just enter a symbolic representation of God's presence; He passed through all the celestial realms to reach the very throne of God.
A Completed Work
This signifies that Jesus has accomplished His redemptive work. He has secured our access to God, not through a recurring ritual, but by His one-time sacrifice and ascension. He has gone before us, making a way where there was no way.
Ultimate Authority
By passing through the heavens, Jesus demonstrates His supreme authority and position. He is exalted far above all principalities and powers, seated at the right hand of the Father. This isn't just a title; it's a declaration of His ongoing reign and intercession for us.
The text doesn't just call Him 'High Priest,' but 'Jesus, the Son of God.' Why is this dual identity so crucial?
The author of Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus is not just a high priest, but the great High Priest. This greatness stems from His unique identity as the Son of God.
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Divine Sonship and Human Compassion
Calling Him 'Jesus the Son of God' connects His divine nature with His human experience. As the eternal Son, He has the authority and perfect nature required for this heavenly ministry. Yet, He is also Jesus, the one who lived among us, experienced temptation, and understands our weaknesses. This combination makes Him perfectly suited to mediate between a holy God and sinful humanity.
Superiority to the Levitical Priesthood
The Levitical priests were appointed from among men and were themselves subject to weakness and sin. They were mere types, pointing forward to the reality. Jesus, as the Son of God, transcends all earthly priesthoods. His sacrifice is perfect, His intercession is eternal, and His access to God is absolute.
With such a High Priest, the call is clear: 'Let us hold fast our confession.' What does this mean in practice?
This verse is not just a theological statement; it's an exhortation with profound practical implications for our lives.
The Importance of Our Confession
Our 'confession' refers to our public and private acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and the core truths of our faith. It's the declaration of what we believe and in whom we place our trust.
Why We Must Hold Fast
Given that we have a Great High Priest who has passed through the heavens and is the Son of God, we have an unshakeable foundation for our faith. He has secured our eternal salvation and has direct access to God on our behalf. Therefore, we are urged to persevere in our commitment to Him, especially when facing challenges, doubts, or persecution.
A Call to Steadfastness
Holding fast means unwavering loyalty, continued trust, and steadfast perseverance in the faith, even when it's difficult. It's a call to resist the temptation to drift away from Christ and to remain firmly anchored in the truth He has revealed.
Understand the original words
homologia · Greek Noun
The formal declaration of faith; the public acknowledgement and commitment to the truth of the Gospel.
The entire Levitical system, with its earthly high priest entering the Holy of Holies once a year, was a temporary shadow pointing towards the reality of Jesus Christ. His ascension into the true heavens to serve as our eternal High Priest provides a solid foundation for believers to hold fast to their confession, even amidst hardship.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, marking the beginning of their covenant relationship and the establishment of the Levitical priesthood with Aaron.
c. 1446 BC - c. 430 BC
The Levitical Priesthood Operates
For over a thousand years, the lineage of Aaron serves as high priests, performing daily sacrifices and the annual Day of Atonement ritual in the Tabernacle and later the Temple.
c. 4 BC - c. AD 30/33
Life, Ministry, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus lives, teaches, dies for sins, and is resurrected, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies and foreshadowing His role as the ultimate High Priest.
c. AD 33— this verse
Jesus Ascends to Heaven
After His resurrection, Jesus ascends into heaven, passing through the heavenly realms to sit at the right hand of God, fulfilling His priestly duties from a heavenly sanctuary.
c. AD 64-69
The Book of Hebrews is Written
The author of Hebrews writes to Jewish Christians who are facing persecution and temptation to revert to Judaism, urging them to persevere in their faith.
This passage describes the Old Testament High Priest entering the Holy of Holies once a year with blood to make atonement, mirroring Jesus' singular, perfect entry into heaven for us.
John 14:2-3Jesus promises to go and prepare a place for his followers, directly connecting to his ascension as High Priest to secure our eternal dwelling place.
Romans 8:34This verse highlights Jesus' current role in interceding for us at God's right hand, reinforcing his position as our Great High Priest who actively advocates on our behalf.
1 Peter 3:22It states that Jesus has gone to heaven and is at God's right hand with angels in submission to Him, confirming his supreme authority and position after His heavenly ascension.
Philippians 2:9-11This passage speaks of God exalting Jesus to the highest place and having every knee bow to Him, underscoring His supreme status as the Son of God and Great High Priest.
wesleyHebrews 4:14: "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession."
4:14 Having therefore a great high priest - Great indeed, being the eternal Son of God, that is passed through the heavens - As the Jewish high priest passed through the veil into the holy of holies, carrying with him the blood of the sacrifices, on the yearly day of atonement; so our great high priest went once for all through the visible heavens…
ellicottHebrews 4:14: "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession."
(14) All the chief points of the earlier chapters are brought together in this verse and the next:—the High Priest ( Hebrews 2:17 ; Hebrews 3:1 ); His exaltation ( Hebrews 1:3-4 ; Hebrews 1:13 ; Hebrews 2:9 ); His divine Sonship (Hebrews 1; Hebrews 3:6 ); His compassion towards the brethren whose lot He came to share ( Hebrews 2:11-18 ). That is p…
The text doesn't just say Jesus "passed into" the heavens, but "passed through" the heavens. This emphasizes that His journey wasn't to a mere intermediary space, but all the way through to God's immediate presence, much like the high priest passing through the Holy Place to the Holy of Holies. This accomplishment is the powerful foundation for why we can confidently hold onto our faith in Him.
The author is drawing together key ideas from previous chapters, particularly Christ's identity as the great High Priest, His exaltation, His divine Sonship, and His compassion for humanity. Having just emphasized the penetrating power of God's Word, the text now urges believers to firmly hold onto their faith in Jesus, their High Priest, who has already passed through the heavens into God's presence. This is presented as the logical response to having such a magnificent mediator.
The author is drawing together key ideas from previous chapters, particularly Christ's identity as the great High Priest, His exaltation, His divine Sonship, and His compassion for humanity. Having just emphasized the penetrating power of God's Word, the text now urges believers to firmly hold onto their faith in Jesus, their High Priest, who has already passed through the heavens into God's presence. This is presented as the logical response to having such a magnificent mediator.
"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession." — The text doesn't just say Jesus "passed into" the heavens, but "passed through" the heavens. This emphasizes that His journey wasn't to a mere intermediary space, but all the way through to God's i…
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Last reviewed October 2026