Hebrews 10:29
What does Hebrews 10:29 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 10:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 10:29 means
The author asks how much worse punishment is deserved by the one who has trampled the Son of God, treated the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified as unholy, and insulted the Spirit of grace. These phrases describe apostasy’s true nature: contempt for Christ’s person, contempt for his atoning blood, and opposition to the Spirit who brings grace. The language is stark to reveal the spiritual reality behind turning away after knowing the truth. Such a response is not neutral; it is an affront to God’s saving work, and therefore invites a judgment more serious than penalties under Moses.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But will not the man by whom the Son of God has been crushed under foot, and the blood of the agreement with which he was washed clean has been taken as an unholy thing, and who has had no respect for the Spirit of grace, be judged bad enough for a very much worse punishment?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862of how much sorer punishment shall he be counted worthy who the Son of God did trample on, and the blood of the covenant did count a common thing, in which he was sanctified, and to the Spirit of the grace did despite?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752How much more, do you think he deserveth worse punishments, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God and hath esteemed the blood of the testament unclean, by which he was sanctified, and hath offered an affront to the Spirit of grace?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890of how much worse punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy who has trodden under foot the Son ofGod, and esteemed the blood of the covenant, whereby he has been sanctified, common, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
Context
Building on verse 28’s reference to penalties under Moses, verse 29 heightens the warning by detailing the gravity of rejecting Christ and the Spirit. The triple description exposes apostasy as a personal offense against the Son and the Spirit. This prepares for verses 30–31, which ground the warning in God’s own declarations about vengeance and judgment upon his people. The aim is to move readers from complacency to sober reverence and perseverance, rather than shrinking back.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 15:25
For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.
- Isaiah 63:10
But they rebelled, and grieved his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, andhimself fought against them.
- Matthew 12:31
Therefore I say unto you, Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.
- Psalms 143:10
Teach me to do thy will; For thou art my God: Thy Spirit is good; Lead me in the land of uprightness.
- Hebrews 2:3
how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard;
- Zechariah 12:10
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they shall look unto me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born.
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