Devine Scripture

Hebrews 10:11

What does Hebrews 10:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 10:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 10:11 means

The writer contrasts the old priestly ministry with Christ’s. Priests stand daily, repeatedly offering the same sacrifices that can never remove sins. Their posture—standing—and their routine display the unfinished character of their work. The endless cycle proves the sacrifices’ ineffectiveness for final cleansing. This image aims to wean the readers from any nostalgia for temple rituals by showing that God’s plan includes a priest who would sit down, having completed a single, sufficient offering. The old order’s best efforts were inherently provisional, waiting for a better priest and a better sacrifice to bring true forgiveness.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And every priest indeed standeth day by day ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, the which can never take away sins:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And every priest indeed standeth day by day ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, the which can never take away sins:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And every priest takes his place at the altar day by day, doing what is necessary, and making again and again the same offerings which are never able to take away sins.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and every priest, indeed, hath stood daily serving, and the same sacrifices many times offering, that are never able to take away sins.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And every priest indeed standeth daily ministering and often offering the same sacrifices which can never take away sins.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And every priest stands daily ministering, and offering often the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

Context

After affirming believers’ sanctification through Christ’s offering (v. 10), the author paints the contrast in verse 11: Levitical priests stand and repeat ineffectual sacrifices. This sets up the decisive counterstatement in verse 12, where Christ offers one sacrifice and sits at God’s right hand. Verse 13 will describe the period of waiting for final subjection of enemies, and verse 14 will affirm the perfecting power of Christ’s single offering. The flow reinforces the finality and superiority of Jesus’ priestly work.

v.10By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

v.11This passage

v.12but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 50:8

    I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices; And thy burnt-offerings are continually before me.

  • Exodus 29:38

    Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar: two lambs a year old day by day continually.

  • Hebrews 10:1

    For the law having a shadow of the goodthingsto come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect them that draw nigh.

  • Hebrews 10:4

    For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.

  • Daniel 11:31

    And forces shall stand on his part, and they shall profane the sanctuary, even the fortress, and shall take away the continual burnt-offering, and they shall set up the abomination that maketh desolate.

  • Ezekiel 45:4

    It is a holy portion of the land; it shall be for the priests, the ministers of the sanctuary, that come near to minister unto Jehovah; and it shall be a place for their houses, and a holy place for the sanctuary.

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