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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadWilliam Burkitt Notes and Observations - Hebrews 5:3 - 5:3
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That is, by reason of which infirmities he ought, both by God's command, and also from the reason and nature of the thing, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins.
Note here, That this is a description of the high priest under the law, not of our Lord Jesus Christ our Great High Priest under the gospel, because Christ had actually no sin of his own to offer for, being holy, harmless, and undefiled, separate from sinners. This expression therefore of offering for his own sins, belongs to the weakness and imperfection of the legal high priest.
Learn hence, That it was a part of the darkness and bondage of the church under the Old Testament, that their high priests had need to offer sacrifices for themselves, and their own sins. This they did in the vies of the people. They first took care to offer for their own sins, and then for the sins of others; whosoever dealeth with God about the sins of others, ought to look well, in the first place, unto his own: it is a great evidence of hypocrisy for men to be severe towards the sins of others, and careless about their own sins.
Learn, 2. That such was the absolute holiness and spotless innocency of the Lord Jesus Christ our Great High Priest, that what he offered was not for himself, but for his people. Atonement for sinners was made by him who had no sin of his own to atone for.