God’s Word Translation
Hebrews 10:4
4(The blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins.)
Hebrews 10:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
- New International Version (NIV)It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
Context of Hebrews 10:4
2If these sacrifices could have made the worshipers perfect, the sacrifices would have stopped long ago. Those who worship would have been cleansed once and for all. Their consciences would have been free from sin. 3Instead, this yearly cycle of sacrifices reminded people of their sins. (The blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins.) 5For this reason, when Christ came into the world, he said, “ ‘You did not want sacrifices and offerings, but you prepared a body for me. 6You did not approve of burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin.’
Read all of Hebrews 10Hebrews 10:4 word by word
ἀδύνατον γὰρ αἷμα ταύρων καὶ τράγων ἀφαιρεῖν ἁμαρτίας.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Hebrews 10:4
- Hebrews 10:8In this passage Christ first said, “You did not want sacrifices, offerings, burnt offerings, and sacrifices for sin. You did not approve of them.” (These are the sacrifices that Moses’ Teachings require people to offer.)
- Hebrews 9:9The first part of the tent is an example for the present time. The gifts and sacrifices that were brought there could not give the worshiper a clear conscience.
- Psalms 50:8I am not criticizing you for your sacrifices or burnt offerings, which are always in front of me.
- Psalms 51:16You are not happy with any sacrifice. Otherwise, I would offer one ⌞to you⌟. You are not pleased with burnt offerings.
- Isaiah 1:11The Lord asks, “What do your many animal sacrifices mean to me? I’ve had enough of your burnt offerings of rams and enough fat from your fattened calves. I’m not pleased with the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats.
- Isaiah 66:3Whoever kills a bull is like someone who kills a person. Whoever sacrifices a lamb is like someone who breaks a dog’s neck. Whoever offers a grain sacrifice is like someone who ⌞offers⌟ pig’s blood. Whoever burns incense is like someone who worships an idol. People have certainly chosen their own ways, and their souls delight in detestable things.
- Jeremiah 6:20Incense that comes from Sheba is no good to me. Sugar cane that comes from a distant land is no good to me. I won’t accept your burnt offerings. I’m not pleased with your sacrifices.
- Jeremiah 7:21“This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices, and eat the meat.
- Hosea 6:6I want your loyalty, not your sacrifices. I want you to know me, not to give me burnt offerings.
- Amos 5:21I hate your festivals; I despise them. I’m not pleased with your religious assemblies.
- Micah 6:6What should I bring when I come into the Lord’s presence, when I bow in front of the God of heaven? Should I bring him year-old calves as burnt offerings?
- Mark 12:33To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself is more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
- Hebrews 10:11Every day each priest performed his religious duty. He offered the same type of sacrifice again and again. Yet, these sacrifices could never take away sins.
- Hosea 14:2Return to the Lord, and say these things to him: “Forgive all our sins, and kindly receive us. Then we’ll praise you with our lips.
- John 1:29John saw Jesus coming toward him the next day and said, “Look! This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
- Romans 11:27My promise to them will be fulfilled when I take away their sins.”
Commentaries on Hebrews 10:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4For it is not possible - Common sense must have taught them that shedding the blood of bulls and goats could never satisfy Divine justice, nor take away guilt from the conscience; and God intended that they should understand the matter so: and this the following quotation from the Psalmist sufficiently proves.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins - The reference here is to the sacrifices which were made on the great day of the atonement, for on that day the blood of bulls and of goats alone was offered; see the notes on Hebrews 9:7. Paul here means to say, doubtless, that it was not possible that the blood of these animals should make a complete expiation so as to purify the conscience, and so as to save the sinner…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4The sacrifices of bulls and goats in the old covenant provided some cleansing (Hebrews 9:13, 23), but it was limited. They could not remove sins completely. These sacrifices could not permanently cleanse or bring lasting peace with God (see Acts 10:36; Romans 5:1; 11:26–27).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. For, &c.--reason why, necessarily, there is a continually recurring "remembrance of sins" in the legal sacrifices (He 10:3). Typically, "the blood of bulls," &c., sacrificed, had power; but it was only in virtue of the power of the one real antitypical sacrifice of Christ; they had no power in themselves; they were not the instrument of perfect vicarious atonement, but an exhibition of the need of it, suggesting to the faithful Israelite the sure hope…Read the comment
Topics related to Hebrews 10:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Hebrews 10
- 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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