Hebrews 10:19
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The author writes to Jewish Christians tempted to return to temple worship and Levitical priesthood (c. AD 64-69, before temple's AD 70 destruction). They faced persecution for faith in Christ and nostalgic longing for Judaism's visible, tangible rituals. The writer demonstrates Christ's priesthood's superiority throughout chapters 7-10. In temple worship, only the high priest entered the Holy of Holies once yearly on the Day of Atonement, after elaborate purification rituals and carrying animal blood. Common worshipers remained distant, separated from God's presence by curtains and court restrictions. The high priest himself entered with fear, uncertain whether God would accept his sacrifice. Christ's death radically changed everything: the temple veil tore top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), symbolizing the barrier's removal. All believers now enjoy direct access previously reserved for the high priest—but with greater confidence since Christ's perfect sacrifice guarantees acceptance. Early church fathers emphasized this democratization of priesthood, later recovered by Reformers against Catholic hierarchy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding your 'boldness' to approach God (not timidity or presumption) change your prayer life and worship?
- What might tempt you to abandon this direct access to God in favor of human mediators or religious rituals?
- How should the costliness of your access (Christ's blood) affect both your confidence and your reverence in approaching God?
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse inaugurates one of Scripture's most compelling invitations to confident worship. 'Having therefore, brethren, boldness' (ἔχοντες οὖν, ἀδελφοί, παρρησίαν, echontes oun, adelphoi, parrēsian) begins with a participle indicating believers presently possess this confidence. Παρρησία (parrēsia) denotes freedom of speech, boldness, fearless confidence—used for citizens' right to address governing authorities without fear. This word appears in secular Greek for frank speech before kings. Applied to approaching God, it's revolutionary: believers have unrestricted access to the Holy King. The basis follows: 'to enter into the holiest' (εἰς τὴν εἴσοδον τῶν ἁγίων, eis tēn eisodon tōn hagiōn)—the Most Holy Place where God's presence dwelt, previously accessible only to the high priest once annually (Leviticus 16). The means is specified: 'by the blood of Jesus' (ἐν τῷ αἵματι Ἰησοῦ, en tō haimati Iēsou). Christ's shed blood accomplished what animal sacrifices could never achieve: permanent, complete atonement opening God's presence to all believers. The preposition ἐν (en, by/through) indicates both means and sphere—Christ's blood is the basis and environment of our access.