New Living Translation
Hebrews 12:23
23You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect.
Hebrews 12:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
- New International Version (NIV)to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
- English Standard Version (ESV)and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
- New King James Version (NKJV)to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Context of Hebrews 12:23
21Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling.” 22No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. 24You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel. 25Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven!
Read all of Hebrews 12Hebrews 12:23 word by word
καὶ ἐκκλησίᾳ πρωτοτόκων ἀπογεγραμμένων ἐν οὐρανοῖς καὶ κριτῇ θεῷ πάντων καὶ πνεύμασιν δικαίων τετελειωμένωνRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- To the general assemblyπανήγυριςpanēguris · assemblyG3831
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- churchἐκκλησίαekklēsia · assemblyG1577
- of the firstbornπρωτότοκοςprōtotokos · firstbornG4416
- which are writtenἀπογράφωapographō · to registerG583
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- heavenοὐρανόςouranos · heavenG3772
- to Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- the Judgeκριτήςkritēs · judgeG2923
- of allπᾶςpas · allG3956
- to the spiritsπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
- of just menδίκαιοςdikaios · justG1342
- made perfectτελειόωteleioō · to perfectG5048
Cross-references for Hebrews 12:23
- Psalms 89:7The highest angelic powers stand in awe of God. He is far more awesome than all who surround his throne.
- Psalms 111:1Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people.
- Acts 20:28“So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.
- Ephesians 1:22God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.
- Ephesians 5:24As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.
- Colossians 1:24I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church.
- 1 Timothy 3:5For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?
- Exodus 4:22Then you will tell him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son.
- Exodus 13:2“Dedicate to me every firstborn among the Israelites. The first offspring to be born, of both humans and animals, belongs to me.”
- Deuteronomy 21:17He must recognize the rights of his oldest son, the son of the wife he does not love, by giving him a double portion. He is the first son of his father’s virility, and the rights of the firstborn belong to him.
- Psalms 89:27I will make him my firstborn son, the mightiest king on earth.
- Jeremiah 31:9Tears of joy will stream down their faces, and I will lead them home with great care. They will walk beside quiet streams and on smooth paths where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my oldest child.
- James 1:18He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
- Revelation 14:4They have kept themselves as pure as virgins, following the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been purchased from among the people on the earth as a special offering to God and to the Lamb.
- Exodus 32:32But now, if you will only forgive their sin—but if not, erase my name from the record you have written!”
- Psalms 69:28Erase their names from the Book of Life; don’t let them be counted among the righteous.
Commentaries on Hebrews 12:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23To the general assembly - . This word is joined to the preceding by some of the best MSS., and is quoted in connection by several of the fathers: Ye are come - to the general assembly of innumerable angels; and this is probably the true connection. The word is compounded of , all, and , an assembly; and means, particularly, an assembly collected on festive occasions. It is applied to the assembly of the Grecian states at their national games, Olympic…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23To the general assembly - see the notes on Hebrews 12:22. And church of the first-born - That is, you are united with the church of the first-born. They who were first-born among the Hebrews enjoyed special privileges, and especially pre-eminence of rank; see the notes on Colossians 1:15. The reference here is, evidently, to those saints who had been distinguished for their piety, and who may be supposed to be exalted to special honors in heaven - such as…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-29Verses 18-29 Mount Sinai, on which the Jewish church state was formed, was a mount such as might be touched, though forbidden to be so, a place that could be felt; so the Mosaic dispensation was much in outward and earthly things. The gospel state is kind and condescending, suited to our weak frame. Under the gospel all may come with boldness to God's presence. But the most holy must despair, if judged by the holy law given from Sinai, without a Saviour…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23The word translated as assembly is usually translated "church." It refers to God's gathered people. God's firstborn children are those who are part of the new covenant (see Hebrews 1:6; 2:10–13). The idea that God's people have their names written in heaven shows God's special care for them (see also Exodus 32:32; Psalm 69:28; Isaiah 4:3; Daniel 12:1; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5). For God's children, God as judge is the one who defends…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-29For We Are under, Not a Law of Terror, but the Gospel of Grace, to Despise Which Will Bring the Heavier Penalties, in Proportion to Our Greater Privileges. 1. we also--as well as those recounted in He 12:11. are compassed about--Greek, "have so great a cloud (a numberless multitude above us, like a cloud, 'holy and pellucid,' [Clement of Alexandria]) of witnesses surrounding us." The image is from a "race," an image common even in Palestine from the time…Read the comment
Topics related to Hebrews 12:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Hebrews 12
- 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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