Hebrews 4 · Verse 15

Hebrews 4:15

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15, King James Version

Hebrews 4:15 in other translations

BSBFor we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.
WEBFor we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.
ASVFor we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
YLTfor we have not a chief priest unable to sympathise with our infirmities, but one tempted in all things in like manner--apart from sin;
DARBYFor we have not a high priest not able to sympathise with our infirmities, but tempted in all things in like manner, sin apart.
BBEFor we have not a high priest who is not able to be touched by the feelings of our feeble flesh; but we have one who has been tested in all points as we ourselves are tested, but without sin.
WebsterFor we have not a high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but who was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

What does Hebrews 4:15 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
15. For--the motive to "holding our profession" (He 4:14), namely the sympathy and help we may expect from our High Priest. Though "great" (He 4:14), He is not above caring for us; nay, as being in all points one with us as to manhood, sin only excepted, He sympathizes with us in every temptation. Though exalted to the highest heavens, He has changed His place, not His nature and office in relation to us, His condition, but not His affection. Compare Mt 26:38, "watch with me": showing His desire in the days of His flesh for the sympathy of those whom He loved: so He now gives His suffering people His sympathy. Compare Aaron, the type, bearing the names of the twelve tribes in the breastplate of judgment on his heart, when he entered into the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually (Ex 28:29). cannot be touched with the feeling of--Greek, "cannot sympathize with our infirmities": our weaknesses, physical and moral (not sin, but liability to its assaults). He, though sinless, can sympathize with us sinners; His understanding more acutely perceived the forms of temptation than we who are weak can; His will repelled them as instantaneously as the fire does the drop of water cast into it. He, therefore, experimentally knew what power was needed to overcome temptations. He is capable of sympathizing, for He was at the same time tempted without sin, and yet truly tempted [Bengel]. In Him alone we have an example suited to men of every character and under all circumstances. In sympathy He adapts himself to each, as if He had not merely taken on Him man's nature in general, but also the peculiar nature of that single individual. but--"nay, rather, He was (one) tempted" [Alford]. like as we are--Greek, "according to (our) similitude." without sin--Greek, "choris," "separate from sin" (He 7:26). If the Greek "aneu" had been used, sin would have been regarded as the object absent from Christ the subject; but choris here implies that Christ, the subject, is regarded as separated from sin the object [Tittmann]. Thus, throughout His temptations in their origin, process, and result, sin had nothing in Him; He was apart and separate from it [Alford].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 15. For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched. Our High Priest is not cold and unfeeling. That is, we have one who is abundantly qualified to sympathize with us in our afflictions, and to whom, therefore, we may look for aid and support in trials. Had we a high priest who was cold and heartless; who simply performed the external duties of his office, without entering into the sympathies of those who came to seek for pardon; who had never experienced any trials, and who felt himself above those who sought his aid, we should necessarily feel disheartened in attempting to overcome our sins, and to live to God. His coldness would repel us; his stateliness would awe us; his distance and reserve would keep us away, and perhaps render us indifferent to all desire to be saved. But tenderness and sympathy attract those who are feeble, and kindness does more than anything else to encourage those who have to encounter difficulties and dangers. Heb 2:16, also Heb 2:17-18. Such tenderness and sympathy has our great High Priest.

But was in all points tempted like as we are. Tried as we are. Heb 2:18. He was subjected to all the kinds of trial to which we can be, and he is, therefore, able to sympathize with us, and to aid us. He was tempted--in the literal sense; he was persecuted; he was poor; he was despised; he suffered bodily pain; he endured the sorrows of a lingering and most cruel death.

Yet without sin. 1Pet 2:22: "Who did no sin." Isa 53:9: "He had done no violence, neither was there any deceit in his mouth." Heb 7:26: "Who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners." The importance of this fact, that the great High Priest of the Christian profession was "without sin," the apostle illustrates at length in chapters 7 through 9. He here merely alludes to it, and says that one who was "without sin" was able to assist those who were sinners, and who put their trust in him.

(c) "touched" Hoss 11:8 (d) "without sin" 1Pet 2:22

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 15 For we have not a high priest - To the objection, "Your High Priest, if entered into the heavens, can have no participation with you, and no sympathy for you, because out of the reach of human feelings and infirmities," he answers: Ου γαρ εχομεν Αρχιερεα μη δυναμενον συμπαθησαι ταις ασθενειαις ἡμων· We have not a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness. Though he be the Son of God, as to his human nature, and equal in his Divine nature with God; yet, having partaken of human nature, and having submitted to all its trials and distresses, and being in all points tempted like as we are, without feeling or consenting to sin; he is able to succor them that are tempted. See Heb 2:18, and the note there. The words κατα παντα καθ' ὁμοιοτητα might be translated, in all points according to the likeness, i.e. as far as his human nature could bear affinity to ours; for, though he had a perfect human body and human soul, yet that body was perfectly tempered; it was free from all morbid action, and consequently from all irregular movements. His mind, or human soul, being free from all sin, being every way perfect, could feel no irregular temper, nothing that was inconsistent with infinite purity. In all these respects he was different from us; and cannot, as man, sympathize with us in any feelings of this kind: but, as God, he has provided support for the body under all its trials and infirmities, and for the soul he has provided an atonement and purifying sacrifice; so that he cleanses the heart from all unrighteousness, and fills the soul with his Holy Spirit, and makes it his own temple and continual habitation. He took our flesh and blood, a human body and a human soul, and lived a human life. Here was the likeness of sinful flesh, Rom 8:5; and by thus assuming human nature, he was completely qualified to make an atonement for the sins of the world.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Hebrews 4:11-16

Observe the end proposed: rest spiritual and eternal; the rest of grace here, and glory hereafter; in Christ on earth, with Christ in heaven. After due and diligent labour, sweet and satisfying rest shall follow; and labour now, will make that rest more pleasant when it comes. Let us labour, and quicken each other to be diligent in duty. The Holy Scriptures are the word of God. When God sets it home by his Spirit…

Read the full comment on Hebrews 4:11-16 →

Hebrews 4:15 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

οὐouNotG3756
γὰρgarforG1063
ἔχομενechomenhave weG2192
ἀρχιερέαarchiereaa high priestG749
μὴmēnotG3361
δυνάμενονdunamenonbeing ableG1410
συμπαθῆσαιsumpathēsaito sympathizeG4834
ταῖςtaiswith theG3588
ἀσθενείαιςastheneiaisweaknessesG769
ἡμῶν,hēmōnof us,G3165
πεπειρασμένονpepeirasmenontemptedG3985
δὲdehoweverG1161
κατὰkatainG2596
πάνταpantaall thingsG3956
καθ᾽kath᾽byG2596
ὁμοιότηταhomoiotēta[the] same wayG3665
χωρὶςchōriswithoutG5565
ἁμαρτίας.hamartiassin.G266

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Hebrews 4:15

  • Hebrews 2:17-18

    Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21

    For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

  • Isaiah 53:4-5

    Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

  • 1 John 3:5

    And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

  • 1 Peter 2:22

    Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

  • Philippians 2:7-8

    But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

  • Hebrews 7:26

    For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

  • Hebrews 4:14

    Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

  • Matthew 8:16-17

    When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

  • Hebrews 5:2

    Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

  • John 8:46

    Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

  • Isaiah 53:9

    And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
we have.
5:2; Ex 23:9; Isa 53:4,5; Ho 11:8; Mt 8:16,17; 12:20; Php 2:7,8
tempted.
2:17,18; Lu 4:2; 22:28
yet.
7:26; Isa 53:9; Joh 8:46; 2Co 5:21; 1Pe 2:22; 1Jo 3:5

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Hebrews 4:14

    Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

  • Hebrews 4:15

    For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

  • Hebrews 4:16

    Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Read all of Hebrews 4

Hebrews 4:15 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque no tenemos un Pontífice que no se pueda compadecer de nuestras flaquezas; mas tentado en todo según nuestra semejanza, pero sin pecado.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		car nous n’avons pas un souverain sacrificateur qui ne puisse sympathiser à nos infirmités, mais nous en avons un qui a été tenté en toutes choses comme nous, à part le péché.
German
Elberfelder 1871		denn wir haben nicht einen Hohenpriester, der nicht Mitleid zu haben vermag mit unseren Schwachheiten, sondern der in allem versucht worden ist in gleicher Weise wie wir, ausgenommen die Sünde.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Non enim habemus pontificem qui non possit compati infirmitatibus nostris: tentatum autem per omnia pro similitudine absque peccato.