Hebrews 12:20 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 12:18-29

Here the apostle goes on to engage the professing Hebrews to perseverance in their Christian course and conflict, and not to relapse again into Judaism. This he does by showing them how much the state of the gospel church differs from that of the Jewish church, and how much it resembles the state of the church in heaven, and on both accounts demands and deserves our diligence, patience, and perseverance in Christianity. I. He shows how much the gospel church differs from the Jewish church, and... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 12:18-24

12:18-24 It is not to something that can be touched that you have come, to a flaming fire, to mist and gloom and stormblast, and to the blare of a trumpet, and to a voice which spoke such words that those who heard it begged that not another word should be further spoken unto them, for they could not bear the command: "If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned." So terrifying was the apparition that Moses said: "I am in utter fear and trembling." But you have come to Mount Sion... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 12:20

For they could not endure that which was commanded ,.... In the law; not that they disliked and despised the law, as unregenerate men do; but they could not endure it, or bear it, as a yoke, it being a yoke of bondage; nor as a covenant of works, it requiring perfect obedience, but giving no strength to perform; and as it showed them their sins, but did not direct them to a Saviour; as it was an accusing, cursing, and condemning law; and, as a fiery one, revealing wrath, and filling the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:18-21

For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched - I believe the words ψηλαφωμενῳ ορει should be translated to a palpable or material mountain; for that it was not a mountain that on this occasion might be touched, the history, Exodus 19:12 , Exodus 19:13 , shows; and the apostle himself, in Hebrews 12:20 , confirms. It is called here a palpable or material mount, to distinguish it from that spiritual mount Sion, of which the apostle is speaking. Some contend that it should... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:1-29

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:18-24

Sinai and Zion. This grand passage, extending to the end of the chapter, forms a magnificent finale to the lengthened general exhortation to constancy, beginning at Hebrews 10:19 , which occupies so important a place in the Epistle. The verses before us exhibit a highly wrought and impressive contrast between the Mosaic and the Christian dispensations. Mount Sinai is the emblem of the one, Mount Zion of the other. And Zion is incomparably superior to Sinai, in the privileges and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:18-24

The exalted privileges of sincere Christians. "For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched," etc. This paragraph exhibits a striking contrast between Sinai and Zion—the Mosaic and the Christian dispensations. The chief points of the contrast seem to be these: 1. The sensuous at Sinai is contrasted with the spiritual at Zion. At Sinai the manifestations were palpable, visible, audible ( Hebrews 12:18 , Hebrews 12:19 ); at Zion they were heavenly, and to some extent... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:18-24

Sinai and Zion. Esau bewailed his lost birthright, and yet to what did that birthright lead the posterity of him who gained it? See the posterity of Jacob gathered round the terrible mountain in the wilderness. The posterity of Esau might perhaps congratulate themselves on having escaped the constraints of Jehovah that fell so sorely on the kindred children of Jacob. If, then, this birthright, over the foolish casting away of which Esau shed such copious and fruitless tears, led to such... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:18-29

There follows now, both for encouragement and for warning, a grand contrast between the Mosaic and Christian dispensations, founded on the phenomena that accompanied the giving of the Law. To Mount Sinai, with its repelling terrors, is opposed an ideal picture of Mount Zion and the heavenly Jerusalem, expressive of the communion of saints in Christ. And then at Hebrews 12:25 (as previously in Hebrews 10:1-39 ) the tone of encouragement changes again to one of warning, the very excess of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:19-21

And the sound of a trumpet ( Exodus 19:16 ) , and the voice of words ( Deuteronomy 4:12 ); which voice they that heard entreated that no word should be spoken to them more : for they could not endure that which was commanded (rather, enjoined), If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned ( Exodus 19:13 ; "or thrust through with a dart" is an interpolation in the text from the passage in Exodus): and so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 12:18-29

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 12:18-24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 12:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:18-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:1-29

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:18-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:18-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:18-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:18-29

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:19-21

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