Jesus Compared to Melchizedek

Hebrews 7

11 a Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended b from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.

17 For it is witnessed of him,
c "You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek."

18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside d because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for e the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, f a better hope is introduced, through which g we draw near to God.

20 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath,

21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:
h "The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
'You are a priest forever.'"

22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of i a better covenant.

23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues j forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost 1 k those who draw near to God l through him, since he always lives m to make intercession for them.

26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, n holy, innocent, unstained, o separated from sinners, and p exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, q first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this r once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men s in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made t perfect forever.

  1. Cross References
    Hebrews 7:18 - 19
    For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness
    Hebrews 8:7
    For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.
    Galatians 2:21
    I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
  2. Cross References
    Isaiah 11:1
    There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
    Micah 5:2
    But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
    Matthew 1:3
    And Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.
    Luke 3:33
    The son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah.
    Revelation 5:5
    And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.
  3. Cross References
    Hebrews 7:21
    But this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever.'
    Hebrews 5:6
    As he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.
    Hebrews 6:20
    Where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
    Psalms 110:4
    The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
  4. Cross References
    Psalms 110:4
    The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
  5. Cross References
    Romans 8:3
    For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh.
    Galatians 4:9
    But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?
  6. Cross References
    Hebrews 9:9
    (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper.
    Hebrews 10:1
    For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.
    Leviticus 16:16
    Thus he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleannesses of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions, all their sins. And so he shall do for the tent of meeting, which dwells with them in the midst of their uncleannesses.
    Acts 13:39
    And by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.
  7. Cross References
    Hebrews 6:18
    So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
  8. Cross References
    Hebrews 7:25
    Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
    Leviticus 10:3
    Then Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the Lord has said, 'Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.'" And Aaron held his peace.
    Hebrews 4:16
    Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
  9. Cross References
    Hebrews 7:17
    For it is witnessed of him, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.
  10. Cross References
    Psalms 110:4
    The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
  11. Cross References
    Hebrews 8:6
    But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.
  12. Cross References
    Hebrews 7:21
    But this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever.
    Hebrews 7:28
    For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
  13. Cross References
    Hebrews 7:19
    (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
  14. Cross References
    John 14:6
    Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
  15. Cross References
    Hebrews 9:24
    For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.
    Romans 8:34
    Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
  16. Cross References
    Psalms 16:10
    For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
    Revelation 15:4
    Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.
    Revelation 16:5
    And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, "Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments.
    Mark 1:24
    "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are - the Holy One of God."
  17. Cross References
    Hebrews 4:15
    For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
  18. Cross References
    Hebrews 8:1
    Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven.
    Hebrews 4:14
    Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
  19. Cross References
    Hebrews 5:3
    Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.
  20. Cross References
    Hebrews 9:12
    He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
    Hebrews 10:10
    And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
    Hebrews 9:28
    So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
  21. Cross References
    Hebrews 5:2
    He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.
  22. Cross References
    Hebrews 2:10
    For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
    Hebrews 5:9
    And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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