Devine Scripture

Hebrews 3:1

What does Hebrews 3:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 3:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 3:1 means

The writer addresses believers as holy siblings who share a calling that comes from heaven, not from earth. He urges them to fix their careful attention on Jesus, who is both the One sent from God (Apostle) and the Mediator who represents us before God (High Priest). Our entire confession—what we openly affirm as Christians—centers on Him. For readers tempted to look back to the old system, the command is to look up and look long at Jesus. He fully embodies God’s message to us and fully carries us into God’s presence, uniting revelation and redemption in His person.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, evenJesus;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, evenJesus;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For this reason, holy brothers, marked out to have a part in heaven, give thought to Jesus the representative and high priest of our faith;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the apostle and chief priest of our profession, Christ Jesus,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly vocation consider the apostle and high priest of our confession, Jesus:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of [the] heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus,

Context

After exalting the Son above angels in chapters 1–2, the author turns to a new comparison: Jesus and Moses. Verse 1 sets the tone with a pastoral appeal to consider Jesus in His dual role as Apostle and High Priest. This prepares the reader to receive the ensuing argument that Christ surpasses Moses. The exhortation grounds the audience’s identity (holy, heavenly) and directs their focus to Jesus before any contrasts are drawn. Next comes a balanced acknowledgment of Moses’ faithfulness, to keep honor for him while advancing Christ’s superiority.

v.1This passage

v.2who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also was Moses in all his house.

Cross references

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

  • Romans 9:24

    even us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles?

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:14

    whereunto he called you through our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Hebrews 10:21

    and having a great priest over the house of God;

  • Psalms 110:4

    Jehovah hath sworn, and will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:27

    I adjure you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the brethren.

  • Ezekiel 18:28

    Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

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