Day after dayThis phrase emphasizes the repetitive and continuous nature of the Old Testament sacrificial system. The daily sacrifices were a central part of the Levitical priesthood, as outlined in the Mosaic Law, particularly in the books of Exodus and Leviticus. This ongoing ritual highlights the insufficiency of these sacrifices to provide a permanent solution for sin.
every priest stands to minister
The priests of the Old Covenant were required to stand while performing their duties, symbolizing the ongoing and unfinished nature of their work. Unlike the priests, Jesus, as our High Priest, is described inHebrews 10:12 as sitting down at the right hand of God, indicating the completion and sufficiency of His sacrifice.
and to offer again and again the same sacrifices
The repetition of sacrifices underscores their temporary and provisional nature. These offerings, including burnt offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings, were prescribed in the Law of Moses and were intended to cover sins temporarily, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.
which can never take away sins
The sacrificial system was unable to remove sin permanently; it could only cover it temporarily. This limitation is contrasted with the sacrifice of Jesus, whose death on the cross provides a once-for-all atonement for sin, as prophesied inIsaiah 53 and fulfilled in the New Testament. The inability of animal sacrifices to cleanse the conscience is further discussed inHebrews 9:9-14, highlighting the need for a better covenant through Christ.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PriestsIn the context of Hebrews, the priests refer to those of the Levitical order who served in the temple, offering sacrifices according to the Law of Moses.
2.
SacrificesThese are the offerings made by the priests, which were part of the Old Covenant system designed to atone for the sins of the people.
3.
TempleThe central place of worship for the Israelites where the priests performed their duties and sacrifices were made.
4.
Old CovenantThe agreement established between God and Israel, which included the sacrificial system as a means of atonement for sin.
5.
New CovenantIntroduced through Jesus Christ, this covenant fulfills and surpasses the Old Covenant, offering a once-for-all sacrifice for sins.
Teaching Points
The Insufficiency of Repeated SacrificesThe repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant were unable to fully remove sin, highlighting the need for a perfect and final sacrifice.
The Role of the PriesthoodThe priests served as mediators between God and man, but their work was never complete, pointing to the need for a greater High Priest.
Christ's Superior SacrificeJesus' sacrifice is once-for-all, effectively dealing with sin and providing a way for believers to have a direct relationship with God.
Living Under the New CovenantBelievers are called to live in the freedom and assurance of the New Covenant, relying on Christ's finished work rather than their own efforts.
Perseverance in FaithUnderstanding the completeness of Christ's sacrifice encourages believers to persevere in faith, knowing their sins are fully forgiven.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Hebrews 10:11?
2.How does Hebrews 10:11 highlight the insufficiency of Old Testament sacrifices?
3.What does Hebrews 10:11 teach about the priest's daily sacrifices and their effectiveness?
4.How can we apply the lesson of Hebrews 10:11 to our faith today?
5.What connections exist between Hebrews 10:11 and Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross?
6.How does Hebrews 10:11 encourage reliance on Jesus' sacrifice for forgiveness of sins?
7.How does Hebrews 10:11 relate to the concept of Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice?
8.Why were Old Testament sacrifices insufficient according to Hebrews 10:11?
9.What does Hebrews 10:11 reveal about the limitations of the Levitical priesthood?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 10?
11.What does it mean Jesus became sin for us?
12.Why are animal sacrifices in the millennial kingdom?
13.What is Jesus doing in Heaven?
14.Does Hebrews 13:10's mention of an altar contradict Old Testament laws allowing priests to eat sacrifices?What Does Hebrews 10:11 Mean
Day after dayThe writer spotlights the relentless rhythm of Old Covenant worship. Sacrifice was not occasional; it was woven into every sunrise and sunset.
•Exodus 29:38-39 says, “Now this is what you are to offer on the altar regularly each day: two lambs a year old.”
•Hebrews 7:27 notes that priests “offer sacrifices daily,” underscoring a never-ending demand.
This daily pattern stressed human need but also highlighted that the problem of sin still remained unresolved.
every priest stands to ministerStanding signals work in progress—there were no chairs in the sanctuary because a priest’s task was never finished.
•Hebrews 10:12 contrasts Christ, who “offered one sacrifice for sins forever, and sat down at the right hand of God.” The priests stood; Jesus sits.
•Numbers 16:46 pictures Aaron “standing between the living and the dead,” a vivid image of ceaseless intercession.
The posture reminds us that under the Law, forgiveness was always provisional.
and to offer again and againRepetition was built into the system. No single goat or bull solved the problem.
•Hebrews 9:25-26 explains that the high priest entered “again and again” with blood not his own, whereas Christ appeared “once for all.”
•Hebrews 10:1-2 says those sacrifices, repeated endlessly, could never perfect the worshipers; otherwise they would have ceased.
The drumbeat of “again and again” whispers, “Something better must be coming.”
the same sacrifices,Identical offerings—lamb after lamb, year after year—showed both obedience and limitation.
•Leviticus 4 details sin offerings that covered but did not cleanse.
•Hebrews 8:5 calls these rituals “a copy and shadow of what is in heaven,” pointing forward to a greater reality.
The sameness kept Israel mindful of sin yet yearning for a unique, decisive sacrifice.
which can never take away sins.Here is the shocking verdict: the entire sacrificial system was incapable of erasing sin’s stain.
•Hebrews 10:4 states plainly, “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”
•John 1:29 introduces the only sufficient offering: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
•1 Peter 1:18-19 contrasts perishable offerings with “the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.”
The Law exposed sin; only Christ removes it.
summaryHebrews 10:11 piles phrase upon phrase to reveal the limits of the Old Covenant: a daily grind of priests standing, repeating unchanged sacrifices that could never cleanse the conscience. The verse prepares us to rejoice in the next words (v. 12) where Jesus, by one perfect offering, sits down in triumph. The endless work of men met its end in the finished work of the Son.
(11) The last was a verse of transition. Naturally following from and completing the previous argument, it leads in the words "once for all" to a new thought, or rather prepares the way for the resumption of a subject to which in an earlier chapter marked prominence was given. If the sanctifying work of the true High Priest has been accomplished "once for all," such ministry remains for Him no longer (
Hebrews 10:12-14). Here, then, the writer brings us back to
Hebrews 8:1-2--to that which he there declared to be the crowning point of all his words.
And every priest.--Some ancient MSS. and versions read "high priest," but the ordinary text is in all probability correct. (With the other reading the work of the priests in their daily ministrations is ascribed to the high priest, whose representatives they were.) Hitherto the thought has rested almost entirely on the ceremonial of the Day of Atonement; there is therefore new significance in the contrast between Jesus and "every priest" in all His ministrations. On "standeth" see the Note onHebrews 8:1. The accumulation of words which point to the ceaseless repetition of the offerings of the law (Hebrews 10:1) is very noteworthy. The last words point toHebrews 10:4. . . .
Verses 11-13. -
And every priest indeed standeth daffy ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: but he, having offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made the footstool of his feet. Thus with the one perfectly accomplished and for ever availing sacrifice is brought into connection, as its result, the fulfillment in Christ for man of the ideal of
Psalm 8:6 (which was set forth in
Hebrews 2:5-10; see the remarks there made), and also of the Son's exaltation to the right hand of God, declared in
Psalm 110. (referred to in
Hebrews 1:13, and brought fully into view in
Hebrews 8:1, after the chapter about Melchizedek). Be it observed that the priesthood "after the order of Melchizedek" in itself implied this exaltation, which was in fact inferred from it. For the priesthood after this order, having been shown to be eternal and unchangeable, was further seen, from
Psalm 110, to be conjoined to the eternal royalty at God's right hand.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Day after dayἡμέραν(hēmeran)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2250:A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.everyπᾶς(pas)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.priestἱερεὺς(hiereus)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2409:A priest, one who offers sacrifice to a god (in Jewish and pagan religions; of Christians only met.). From hieros; a priest.standsἕστηκεν(hestēken)Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2476:A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.to ministerλειτουργῶν(leitourgōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3008:From leitourgos; to be a public servant, i.e. to perform religious or charitable functions.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.to offerπροσφέρων(prospherōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4374:From pros and phero; to bear towards, i.e. Lead to, tender, treat.again and againπολλάκις(pollakis)Adverb
Strong's 4178:Many times, often, frequently. Multiplicative adverb from polus; many times, i.e. Frequently.theτὰς(tas)Article - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.sameαὐτὰς(autas)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.sacrifices,θυσίας(thysias)Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2378:Abstr. and concr: sacrifice; a sacrifice, offering. From thuo; sacrifice.whichαἵτινες(haitines)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3748:Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever.canδύνανται(dynantai)Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1410:(a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.neverοὐδέποτε(oudepote)Adverb
Strong's 3763:Never. From oude and pote; not even at any time, i.e. Never at all.take awayπεριελεῖν(perielein)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4014:From peri and haireomai; to remove all around, i.e. Unveil, cast off; figuratively, to expiate.sins.ἁμαρτίας(hamartias)Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 266:From hamartano; a sin.
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NT Letters: Hebrews 10:11 Every priest indeed stands day by day (Heb. He. Hb) 
