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9:1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine
service, and a worldly sanctuary.
9:2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the
candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the
sanctuary.
9:3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the
Holiest of all; 9:4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the
covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot
that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the
covenant; 9:5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the
mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
9:6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always
into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
9:7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year,
not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of
the people: 9:8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the
holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first
tabernacle was yet standing: 9:9 Which was a figure for the time then
present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could
not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the
conscience; 9:10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers
washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of
reformation.
9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a
greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to
say, not of this building; 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and
calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place,
having obtained eternal redemption for us.
9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an
heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the
flesh: 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the
eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your
conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 9:15 And for this
cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death,
for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first
testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal
inheritance.
9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the
death of the testator.
9:17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is
of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
9:18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without
blood.
9:19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people
according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with
water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and
all the people, 9:20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which
God hath enjoined unto you.
9:21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the
vessels of the ministry.
9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and
without shedding of blood is no remission.
9:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the
heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things
themselves with better sacrifices than these.
9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands,
which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to
appear in the presence of God for us: 9:25 Nor yet that he should
offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place
every year with blood of others; 9:26 For then must he often have
suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of
the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of
himself.
9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the
judgment: 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many;
and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time
without sin unto salvation.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Hebrews
Book: Hebrews
Chapter: 9
Overview:
The Jewish Tabernacle and its utensils. (1-5) Their use and
meaning. (6-10) These fulfilled in Christ. (11-22) The
necessity, superior dignity, and power of his priesthood and
Sacrifice. (23-28)
1-5 The Apostle shows to the Hebrews the typical reference of
their ceremonies to Christ. The Tabernacle was a movable Temple,
shadowing forth the unsettled state of the Church upon Earth,
and the human nature of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom the
Fulness of the Godhead dwelt bodily. The typical meaning of
these things has been shown in former remarks, and the
ordinances and articles of the Mosaic Covenant point out Christ
as our Light, and as the Bread of Life to our souls; and remind
us of his Divine Person, his holy priesthood, perfect
Righteousness, and all-prevailing intercession. Thus was the
Lord Jesus Christ, all and in all, from the beginning. And as
interpreted By the Gospel, these things are a glorious
representation of the Wisdom of God, and confirm Faith in Him
who was prefigured By them.
6-10 The Apostle goes On to speak of the Old Testament
services. Christ, having undertaken to be our High Priest, could
not enter into Heaven till he had shed his Blood for us; and
none of us can enter, either into God's gracious presence here,
or his glorious presence hereafter, but By the Blood of Jesus.
Sins are errors, great errors, both in Judgment and practice;
and who can understand all his errors? They leave guilt upon the
Conscience, not to be washed away but By the Blood of Christ. We
must plead this Blood On Earth, while he is pleading it for us
in Heaven. A few believers, under the Divine teaching, saw
something of the way of access to God, of Communion with him,
and of admission into Heaven through the promised Redeemer, but
the Israelites in general looked No further than the outward
forms. These could not take away the defilement or dominion of
Sin. They could neither discharge the debts, nor resolve the
doubts, of him who did the service. Gospel times are, and should
be, times of reformation, of clearer Light as to all things
needful to be known, and of greater Love, causing us to Bear
ill-will to none, but good-will to all. We have greater Freedom,
both of Spirit and speech, in the Gospel, and greater
obligations to a more holy living.
11-14 All good things past, present, and to come, were and are
founded upon the priestly office of Christ, and come to us from
thence. Our High Priest entered into Heaven once for all, and
has obtained eternal Redemption. The Holy Ghost further
signified and showed that the Old Testament sacrifices only
freed the outward Man from ceremonial uncleanness, and fitted
him for some outward privileges. What gave such power to the
Blood of Christ? It was Christ's Offering himself without any
sinful stain in his nature or Life. This cleanses the most
guilty Conscience from dead, or deadly, Works to serve the
living God; from sinful Works, such as pollute the soul, as dead
bodies did the persons of the Jews who touched them; while the
Grace that seals Pardon, new-creates the polluted soul. Nothing
more destroys the Faith of the Gospel, than By any means to
weaken the direct power of the Blood of Christ. The depth of the
Mystery of the Sacrifice of Christ, we cannot dive into, the
height we cannot comprehend. We cannot search out the greatness
of it, or the Wisdom, the Love, the Grace that is in it. But in
considering the Sacrifice of Christ, Faith finds Life, Food, and
refreshment.
15-22 The solemn transactions between God and Man, are
sometimes called a Covenant, here a Testament, which is a
willing deed of a person, bestowing legacies On such persons as
are described, and it only takes effect upon his Death. Thus
Christ died, not only to obtain the blessings of Salvation for
us, but to give power to the disposal of them. All, By Sin, were
become guilty before God, had forfeited every thing that is
good; but God, willing to show the greatness of his Mercy,
proclaimed a Covenant of Grace. Nothing could be Clean to a
sinner, not even his religious duties; except as his guilt was
done away By the Death of a Sacrifice, of value sufficient for
that End, and unless he continually depended upon it. May we
ascribe all real good Works to the same all-procuring cause, and
offer our spiritual sacrifices as sprinkled with Christ's Blood,
and So purified from their defilement.
23-28 It is evident that the sacrifices of Christ are
infinitely better than those of the Law, which could neither
procure Pardon for Sin, nor impart power against it. Sin would
still have been upon us, and have had dominion over us; but
Jesus Christ, By one Sacrifice, has destroyed the Works of the
Devil, that believers may be made righteous, holy, and happy. As
No Wisdom, learning, virtue, wealth, or power, can keep one of
the human race from Death, So nothing can deliver a sinner from
being condemned at the Day of Judgment, except the atoning
Sacrifice of Christ; nor will one be saved from eternal
Punishment who despises or neglects this great Salvation. The
believer knows that his Redeemer liveth, and that he shall see
him. Here is the Faith and patience of the Church, of all
sincere believers. Hence is their continual Prayer as the Fruit
and expression of their Faith, Even So come, Lord Jesus.
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