Hebrews 5:3

3 That's why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins. He must also do it for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 5:3 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 5:3

And by reason hereof
Because of his sinful infirmity:

he ought, as for the people, so also for himself to offer for sins;
as he offered sacrifice for the sins of the people, so he was obliged to offer for his own sins; in this Christ differed from the high priest, for he had no sin of his own to offer for, ( Hebrews 7:27 ) but he had, and therefore offered for them, ( Leviticus 16:11 ) and made a confession of them: the form of which, as used on the day of atonement, was this;

``he put both his hands upon the bullock, and confessed, and thus he said: I beseech thee, O Lord, I have done wickedly, I have transgressed, I have sinned before thee, I and my house; I beseech thee, O Lord, pardon the iniquities, transgressions, and sins, which I have done wickedly, transgressed, and sinned before thee, I and my house.''

And this he did a second time on that day ^F26.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 Misna Yoma, c. 3. sect. 8. & c. 4. sect. 2.

Hebrews 5:3 In-Context

1 Every high priest is chosen from among men. He is appointed to act for them in everything that has to do with God. He offers gifts and sacrifices for their sins.

2 He is able to deal gently with those who have gone down the wrong path without knowing it. He can do that because he himself is weak.

3 That's why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins. He must also do it for the sins of the people.

4 No one can take that honor for himself. He must be appointed by God, just as Aaron was.

5 Even Christ did not take the glory of becoming a high priest for himself. God said to him, "You are my Son. Today I have become your Father." (Psalm 2:7)