English Standard Version
Hebrews 4:15
15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15 in other versions
- King James Version (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.
- New International Version (NIV)For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
- New King James Version (NKJV)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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.
Context of Hebrews 4:15
13And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 14Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Read all of Hebrews 4Hebrews 4:15 word by word
οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, πεπειρασμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθ᾽ ὁμοιότητα χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- we haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
- notοὐou · noG3756
- an high priestἀρχιερεύςarchiereus · high-priestG749
- which cannotμήmē · notG3361
- which cannotδύναμαιdunamai · be ableG1410
- be touched with the feeling ofσυμπαθέωsumpatheō · to sympathizeG4834
- ourἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- infirmitiesὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- infirmitiesἀσθένειαastheneia · weakness: weakG769
- butδέde · thenG1161
- wasπειράζωpeirazō · to test/tempt: temptG3985
- inκατάkata · according toG2596
- all pointsπᾶςpas · allG3956
- temptedπειράζωpeirazō · to test/tempt: temptG3985
- likeὁμοιότηςhomoiotēs · likenessG3665
- withoutχωρίςchōris · withoutG5565
- sinἁμαρτίαhamartia · sinG266
Cross-references for Hebrews 4:15
- Hebrews 5:2He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.
- Exodus 23:9"You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.
- Isaiah 53:4Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
- Hosea 11:8How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender.
- Matthew 8:16That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.
- Matthew 12:20a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory;
- Philippians 2:7but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
- Hebrews 2:17Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
- Luke 4:2for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.
- Luke 22:28"You are those who have stayed with me in my trials,
- Hebrews 7:26For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
- Isaiah 53:9And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.
- John 8:46Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?
- 2 Corinthians 5:21For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
- 1 Peter 2:22He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
- 1 John 3:5You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
Commentaries on Hebrews 4:15
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15For we have not a high priest - To the objection, "Your High Priest, if entered into the heavens, can have no participation with you, and no sympathy for you, because out of the reach of human feelings and infirmities," he answers: ̔· We have not a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness. Though he be the Son of God, as to his human nature, and equal in his Divine nature with God; yet, having partaken of human nature, and having submitted to…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched - Our High Priest is not cold and unfeeling. That is, we have one who is abundantly qualified to sympathize with us in our afflictions, and to whom, therefore, we may look for aid and support in trials. Had we a high priest who was cold and heartless; who simply performed the external duties of his office without entering into the sympathies of those who came to seek for pardon; who had never…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-16Verses 11-16 Observe the end proposed: rest spiritual and eternal; the rest of grace here, and glory hereafter; in Christ on earth, with Christ in heaven. After due and diligent labour, sweet and satisfying rest shall follow; and labour now, will make that rest more pleasant when it comes. Let us labour, and quicken each other to be diligent in duty. The Holy Scriptures are the word of God. When God sets it home by his Spirit, it convinces powerfully…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15Our high priest understands our weaknesses and our tendency to sin because he faced the same challenges. He was tempted by lust, greed, unforgiveness, and dishonesty. This makes him compassionate as our high priest (Hebrews 5:2). yet was without sin: Jesus is different from earthly high priests, who had to make offerings for their own sins before they could make offerings for the people (5:3; 7:26–28; see also 1 Peter 2:22–23).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. For--the motive to "holding our profession" (He 4:14), namely the sympathy and help we may expect from our High Priest. Though "great" (He 4:14), He is not above caring for us; nay, as being in all points one with us as to manhood, sin only excepted, He sympathizes with us in every temptation. Though exalted to the highest heavens, He has changed His place, not His nature and office in relation to us, His condition, but not His affection. Compare Mt…Read the comment
Topics related to Hebrews 4:15
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Hebrews 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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