Hebrews 12:20

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Hebrews 12:18-24

(18) For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, (19) And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (20) (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: (21) And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:18-29

18-29 Mount Sinai, on which the Jewish church state was formed, was a mount such as might be touched, though forbidden to be so, a place that could be felt; so the Mosaic dispensation was much in outward and earthly things. The gospel state is kind and condescending, suited to our weak frame. Under the gospel all may come with boldness to God's presence. But the most holy must despair, if judged by the holy law given from Sinai, without a Saviour. The gospel church is called Mount Zion; there... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - Hebrews 12:1-99

Hebrews 12 THE OPENING WORDS of chapter 12 bring us face to face with the application to ourselves of all that has preceded in chapter 11. All these Old Testament heroes of faith are so many witnesses to us of its virtue and energy. They urge us on that we may run the race of faith in our day, even as they did in days before ours. In 1Co 9.0 Christian service is spoken of under the figure of a race; here Christian life is the point in question. It is a figure very much to the point since a... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Hebrews 12:18-24

The covenant of fear contrasted with that of grace: v. 18. For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, v. 19. and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words, which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them anymore; v. 20. (for they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Hebrews 12:18-24

IVWe are held under obligation to this by the nature of the New CovenantHebrews 12:18-2418For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched [to a mountain7 that is handled], and that burned with fire [and to burning fire], nor [and] unto blackness, 19and darkness,8 and tempest, And [to] the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words, which voice [om. voice] they that heard entreated [deprecatingly begged, παρῃτήσαντο, that the word should not be spoken to them any more [that (further)... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Hebrews 12:18-29

Hearken to God’s Latest Word Hebrews 12:18-29 Sinai rocked with earthquake and burned with fire. None might touch it without incurring the death penalty. How much better our Christian heritage! Not a lonely mountain, but a city and commonwealth of holy souls. Not bands of worshipers gathered from the land of Canaan, but hosts of angels, the spirits of just men; and our blessed Lord Himself. For the blood of animals, the blood of Jesus; for the Old Covenant, the New; for Abel’s death beside... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 12:1-29

After this rapid survey of the past, the writer makes his great appeal. It is that we "consider Him" who is "the Author and Perfecter of faith." The final appeals of the Epistle fall into four sections. In the first two the causes of weakening faith are recognized (verses Heb 12:4-17 ). In the third we have an epitomized statement of the arguments of encouragement (verses Heb 12:18-24 ), and, finally, we have the last appeal and warning (verses Heb 12:25-29 ). Dealing with their suffering,... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:18-29

Hebrews 12:18-Joel : . The theme of the epistle has been the contrast of the old and the new covenants, and this contrast is now summed up in a splendid closing passage. The first covenant was established on a “ mount that might be touched”— an earthly, material mountain [E. C. Selwyn, in JThS, xii. 134 , suggests pephepsalmenô , “ calcined.”— A. J. G.]— which was encircled with terrible manifestations of fire and darkness and storm. The voice in which the Law was proclaimed struck terror... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Hebrews 12:20

The reason of the foregoing deprecation, and which adds to the terribleness of this covenant dispensation; for the voice surpassed their strength and capacity, that they must die if they heard it any more, so dreadful was the sound and matter of it; for the commandment and threatening was: That if any man or beast did but so much as touch the mountain, they should die for it, Exodus 19:12,Exodus 19:13,Exodus 19:21,Exodus 19:23,Exodus 19:24. Therefore was Moses so strictly charged to look to it,... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Hebrews 12:18-21

CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTESHebrews 12:18. Might be touched.—A figure of speech for a “material” thing. “A palpable and enkindled fire.” For the terrors accompanying the giving of the law on Sinai, see Exodus 19:20.MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Hebrews 12:18-21Emblems of the Older Revelation.—The rhetorical character of this passage is very marked, and it should be treated as we properly treat rhetorical work. It is unreasonable to press for a precise meaning and a logical relation in the... read more