But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood.
Parallel translations
- WEB But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable.
- KJV But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
- NKJV But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
- NASB Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.
- NLT But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever.
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
Because Christ lives forever, he holds a permanent, unchangeable priesthood. His office never passes to a successor.
Overview
Unlike the many mortal Levitical priests, Jesus continues forever and so holds his priesthood permanently. The term suggests a priesthood that cannot be transferred or interrupted. This permanence is the ground of the complete and lasting salvation described in the next verse.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- John 12:34The crowd replied, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever. So how can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”
- Heb 7:28For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
- Isa 9:6–7For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Rev 1:18the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.
- Heb 7:8–25In the case of the Levites, mortal men collect the tenth; but in the case of Melchizedek, it is affirmed that he lives on.
- Heb 13:8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
- 1 Sam 2:35Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest. He will do whatever is in My heart and mind. And I will build for him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed one for all time.
- Rom 6:9For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him.
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 7:24 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
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