Hebrews 10:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 10:1-6

Here the apostle, by the direction of the Spirit of God, sets himself to lay low the Levitical dispensation; for though it was of divine appointment, and very excellent and useful in its time and place, yet, when it was set up in competition with Christ, to whom it was only designed to lead the people, it was very proper and necessary to show the weakness and imperfection of it, which the apostle does effectually, from several arguments. As, I. That the law had a shadow, and but a shadow, of... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 10:1-10

10:1-10 Because the law is only a pale shadow of the blessings which are to come and not a real image of these things, it can never really fit for the fellowship of God those who seek to draw near to his presence with the sacrifices which have to be brought year by year and which go on for ever. For if these sacrifices could achieve that, would they not have stopped being brought because the worshipper had been once and for all brought into a state of purity and no longer had any... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 10:4

For it is not possible ,.... There is a necessity of sin being taken away, otherwise it will be remembered; and there will be a conscience of it, and it must be answered for, or it will remain marked, and the curse and penalty of the law must take place: but it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins ; which was shed on the day of atonement: sin is a breach of the moral law, but these sacrifices belong to, the ceremonial law, which are less acceptable to God... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 10:4

For it is not possible - Common sense must have taught them that shedding the blood of bulls and goats could never satisfy Divine justice, nor take away guilt from the conscience; and God intended that they should understand the matter so: and this the following quotation from the Psalmist sufficiently proves. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 10:4

Verse 4 4.For it is not possible, etc. He confirms the former sentiment with the same reason which he had adduced before, that the blood of beasts could not cleanse souls from sin. The Jews, indeed, had in this a symbol and a pledge of the real cleansing; but it was with reference to another, even as the blood of the calf represented the blood of Christ. But the Apostle is speaking here of the efficacy of the blood of beasts in itself. He therefore justly takes away from it the power of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 10:1-18

Close of the argument. This concluding passage presents little more than a re-statement of some points which have been already marked in the discussion which occupies the three preceding chapters. The kernel-thought of the paragraph is expressed in Hebrews 10:9 : "He taketh away the first" (the Jewish sacrifices), "that he may establish the second" (redemption by the sacrifice of himself). I. THE INHERENT WORTHLESSNESS OF THE LEVITICAL SACRIFICES , ( Hebrews 10:1-4 )... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 10:1-19

CONCLUDING SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT WITH RESPECT TO CHRIST 'S ETERNAL PRIESTHOOD . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 10:4

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats (specified as being the offerings of the Day of Atonement) should take away sins. The principle of the insufficiency of animal sacrifices having been thus expressed, confirmation of it is now further adduced from the Old Testament itself, together with a prophetic anticipation of the great self-oblation which was to take their place. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 10:4

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins - The reference here is to the sacrifices which were made on the great day of the atonement, for on that day the blood of bulls and of goats alone was offered; see the notes on Hebrews 9:7. Paul here means to say, doubtless, that it was not possible that the blood of these animals should make a complete expiation so as to purify the conscience, and so as to save the sinner from deserved wrath. According to the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 10:4

Hebrews 10:4. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats Or of any brute animals; should take away sins Should make full satisfaction and atonement for them, so as to procure the pardon of them on its own account. To understand the apostle, we must remember, that though remission of sins be originally from mere grace and mercy, yet it is not to be accomplished by sovereign grace alone, which would be inconsistent with God’s truth, holiness, and righteous government of the... read more

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