What does Hebrews 10:20 mean?

"By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;" - Hebrews 10:20

Hebrews 10:20

Hebrews 10:20

Hebrews 10:20 in the King James Version of the Bible reads: "By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh."

The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were facing persecution and were struggling to hold fast to their faith in Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews sought to encourage and strengthen them by reminding them of the superiority of Christ and the new covenant He had established.

In this particular verse, the author is emphasizing the significance of the access that believers now have to God through Jesus Christ. The "new and living way" refers to the pathway to God that has been opened up by Christ's sacrifice on the cross. The old system of animal sacrifices and the high priest's rituals has been replaced by a new way of approaching God through faith in Jesus. This new way is characterized by its life-giving nature, as it offers forgiveness, reconciliation, and a personal relationship with God.

The phrase "which he hath consecrated for us" points to the fact that Jesus, through His death and resurrection, has set apart this new way to God specifically for believers. The word "consecrated" carries the idea of being made holy or set apart for a sacred purpose, indicating that the access to God through Christ is something precious and unique.

The image of "the veil, that is to say, his flesh" alludes to the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle and temple of the Old Testament. This veil symbolized the barrier that stood between God and humanity due to sin. However, with the death of Jesus, this barrier was torn in two, signifying the removal of the separation between God and His people. In this verse, the author is making the connection between the torn veil and Jesus' flesh, suggesting that it is through the sacrificial death of Christ that the way to God has been opened.

The theme of access to God through Christ is central to the message of the book of Hebrews. The author repeatedly emphasizes the superiority of Jesus as the ultimate high priest and the mediator of a better covenant. By highlighting the new and living way that Christ has consecrated for believers, the author is underscoring the incomparable privilege and blessing of having direct access to the presence of God.

In the context of the book of Hebrews, this verse serves as a strong reassurance to the Jewish Christians who were facing persecution. The author is reminding them that through Christ, they have been given an unshakable and eternal hope. They no longer need to rely on the rituals and sacrifices of the old covenant, for they have been granted direct access to God through their faith in Christ.

The symbolism of the "veil" as Christ's flesh also carries profound theological significance. It points to the atoning work of Christ on the cross, where His body was broken and His blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. Through this act, the barrier of sin and separation was removed, and a new way to God was inaugurated. This imagery underscores the centrality of Christ's sacrifice in bridging the gap between God and humanity.

Overall, Hebrews 10:20 is a powerful declaration of the unique and transformative access to God that believers have through Jesus Christ. It encapsulates the themes of redemption, reconciliation, and the superior work of Christ in establishing a new covenant. For the original audience of Hebrews, and for believers today, this verse serves as a source of encouragement and a reminder of the profound privilege and blessing of being able to approach God through the atoning work of Jesus.

Hebrews 10:20 Artwork

Hebrews 10:20

Hebrews 10:20

Hebrews 10:20 - "By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;"

Hebrews 10:20 - "By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;"

Hebrews 7:20 - "And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:"

Hebrews 7:20 - "And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:"

Hebrews 10:17 - "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more."

Hebrews 10:17 - "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more."

Hebrews 10:19-20 - "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body."

Hebrews 10:19-20 - "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body."

Hebrews 10:10 - "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

Hebrews 10:10 - "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

Hebrews 11:20 - "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come."

Hebrews 11:20 - "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come."

Hebrews 10:31 - "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Hebrews 10:31 - "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Hebrews 10:21 - "And having an high priest over the house of God;"

Hebrews 10:21 - "And having an high priest over the house of God;"

Hebrews 10:18 - "Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin."

Hebrews 10:18 - "Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin."

Hebrews 9:20 - "Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you."

Hebrews 9:20 - "Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you."

Hebrews 5:10 - "Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec."

Hebrews 5:10 - "Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec."

Hebrews 10:37 - "For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry."

Hebrews 10:37 - "For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry."

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews 10:6 - "In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure."

Hebrews 10:6 - "In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure."

Hebrews 10:4 - "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."

Hebrews 10:4 - "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews 10:14 - "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."

Hebrews 10:14 - "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews 10:19 - "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,"

Hebrews 10:19 - "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,"

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews (10:37) For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.

Hebrews 10:3 - "But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year."

Hebrews 10:3 - "But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year."