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Matthew Henry

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 12:22

But ye are come unto Mount Sion ,.... The Alexandrian copy reads, as in Hebrews 12:18 "for ye are not come"; which may seem to favour that interpretation of this passage, which refers it to the heavenly state; to which saints, in this present life, are not, as yet, come: but, by "Mount Sion", and the other names here given, is meant the church of God, under the Gospel dispensation, to which the believing Hebrews were come; in distinction from the legal dispensation, signified by Mount... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 12:23

To the general assembly ,.... A "panegyris", the word here used, was a public and solemn assembly of the Greeks, either at their games, or feasts, or fairs, or on religious accounts; and signifies a large collection and convention of men; and sometimes the place where they met togethers F9 Vid. Philostrat. Vita Apollen. l. 8. c. 7. ; and is here used, by the apostle, for the church of God, consisting of all his elect, both Jews and Gentiles, and the meeting of them together: they met... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 12:24

And to Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant ,.... Of the new covenant, and, of Christ's being the Mediator of it, See Gill on Hebrews 8:6 . See Gill on Hebrews 8:8 . Coming to Christ is by faith; and is different from a corporeal coming to him in the days of his flesh; and from an outward attendance on ordinances; it is a coming to him under a sense of want, and upon a sight of fulness; and is the produce of God's efficacious grace; and souls must come to Christ as naked sinners; and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:22

But ye are come unto mount Sion - In order to enter fully into the apostle's meaning, we must observe, That the Church, which is called here the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and mount Sion, is represented under the notion of a City. That the great assembly of believers in Christ is here opposed to the congregation of the Israelites assembled at Mount Sinai. That the innumerable company of angels is here opposed to, those angels by whom the law was ushered in, Acts... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:23

To the general assembly - Πανηγυρει . This word is joined to the preceding by some of the best MSS., and is quoted in connection by several of the fathers: Ye are come - to the general assembly of innumerable angels; and this is probably the true connection. The word πανηγυρις is compounded of παν , all, and αγυρις , an assembly; and means, particularly, an assembly collected on festive occasions. It is applied to the assembly of the Grecian states at their national games, Olympic,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:24

And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant - The old covenant and its mediator, Moses, are passed away. See Hebrews 8:13 . The new covenant, i.e. the Gospel, is now in force, and will be to the end of the world; and Jesus, the Son of God, the brightness of the Father's glory, the Maker and Preserver of all things, the Savior and the Judge of all men, is its mediator. Both the covenant and its mediator are infinitely superior to those of the Jews, and they are very properly set down here... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:22

Verse 22 22.Unto mount Sion, etc. He alludes to those prophecies in which God had formerly promised that his Gospel should thence go forth, as in Isaiah 2:1, and in other places. Then he contrasts mount Sion with mount Sinai; and he further adds, the heavenly Jerusalem, and he expressly calls it heavenly, that the Jews might not cleave to that which was earthly, and which had flourished under the Law; for when they sought perversely to continue under the slavish yoke of the Law, mount Sion was... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:23

Verse 23 23.The firstborn, etc. He does not call the children of God indiscriminately the firstborn, for the Scripture calls many his children who are not of this number; but for the sake of honor he adorns with this distinction the patriarchs and other renowned saints of the ancient Church. He adds, which are written in heaven, because God is said to have all the elect enrolled in his book or secret catalogue, as Ezekiel speaks. (267) The judge of all, etc. This seems to have been said to... read more

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