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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 12:23

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

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

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

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

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