Devine Scripture

Hebrews 9:28

What does Hebrews 9:28 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 9:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 9:28 means

In parallel with human destiny, Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many. His first coming dealt decisively with sin. He will appear a second time, not to address sin again, but for salvation to those who wait for Him. The first appearing secured atonement; the second will consummate redemption, bringing the faithful into its fullness. This verse holds together past accomplishment and future hope. Believers are called to wait—not anxiously, but expectantly—knowing that the One who bore their sins will return apart from sin’s issue to complete their salvation. The chapter closes with assurance: one sacrifice is enough, and one coming remains—for glory.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

so Christ also, having been once offered to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time, apart from sin, to them that wait for him, unto salvation.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

so Christ also, having been once offered to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time, apart from sin, to them that wait for him, unto salvation.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So Christ, having at his first coming taken on himself the sins of men, will be seen a second time, without sin, by those who are waiting for him, for their salvation.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

so also the Christ, once having been offered to bear the sins of many, a second time, apart from a sin-offering, shall appear, to those waiting for him--to salvation!

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

So also Christ was offered once to exhaust the sins of many. The second time he shall appear without sin to them that expect him unto salvation.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

thus the Christ also, having been once offered to bear the sins of many, shall appear to those that look for him the second time without sin for salvation.

Context

Verse 28 concludes the chapter’s argument. After establishing the once-for-all nature of Christ’s sacrifice (verses 25–26) and the finality of human death and judgment (verse 27), it declares the two appearings of Christ: once to bear sin, and finally to bring salvation to those who wait for Him. This seals the contrast with the Old Covenant’s repeated rites and restricted access. The way into God’s presence is now open through Christ, and the story moves from shadow to substance, from annual remembrance to eternal redemption, from present cleansing to future consummation.

v.27And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment;

v.28This passage

Cross references

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

  • Zechariah 14:5

    And ye shall flee by the valley of my mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azel; yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah; and Jehovah my God shall come, and all the holy ones with thee.

  • Romans 6:10

    For the death that he died, he died unto sin once: but the life that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

  • 2 Peter 3:12

    looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

  • 1 Corinthians 1:7

    so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ;

  • Romans 5:15

    But not as the trespass, so also is the free gift. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound unto the many.

  • Isaiah 25:9

    And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is Jehovah; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

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