For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Parallel translations
- WEB For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.
- KJV For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
- BSB For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.
- NASB For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin.
- NLT This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Our high priest is not unable to sympathize with our weaknesses but was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Jesus understands our struggles and remains sinless.
Overview
This beloved verse assures believers that Christ fully sympathizes with human frailty, having faced temptation in every respect. Yet He never sinned, so He is both a compassionate helper and a flawless mediator. His sinless solidarity with us makes Him uniquely qualified to represent us before God and to aid us in temptation.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Heb 2:17–18Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.
- 2 Cor 5:21For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
- Isa 53:4–5Surely he has borne our sickness, and carried our suffering; yet we considered him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted.
- 1 Pet 2:22who did not sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.”
- 1 Jn 3:5You know that he was revealed to take away our sins, and in him is no sin.
- Phil 2:7–8but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.
- Heb 7:26For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
- Heb 4:14Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession.
- Matt 8:16–17When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick;
- Heb 5:2The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness.
- John 8:46Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?
- Isa 53:9They made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
- Luke 22:28But you are those who have continued with me in my trials.
- Hos 11:8“How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused.
- Luke 4:2for forty days, being tempted by the devil. He ate nothing in those days. Afterward, when they were completed, he was hungry.
- Exod 23:9“You shall not oppress an alien, for you know the heart of an alien, since you were aliens in the land of Egypt.
- Matt 12:20He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a smoking flax, until he leads justice to victory.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Hebrews is sustained worship of Christ: better than angels, Moses, and the priests; the great High Priest after Melchizedek who by one sacrifice perfects forever those he saves.
How Hebrews 4:15 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.