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Hebrews 12:20

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 12:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned;
Hebrews 12:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17For ye know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place for a change of mind [in his father,] though he sought is diligently with tears.
18For ye are not come unto [a mount] that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
19and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which [voice] they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them;
20for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned;
21and so fearful was the appearance, [that] Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:
22but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels,
23to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
← Hebrews 12:19Hebrews 12:21 →
← Full Chapter 12 Hebrews Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For they could not endure that which was commanded, etc..] 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 conscience with it; unless this should have any respect to the following edict, more particularly: and if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned or thrust through with a dart; and, if a…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“that which was commanded--"the interdict" [TITTMANN]. A stern interdictory mandate is meant. And--rather, "Even if a beast (much more a man) touch," &c. or thrust through with a dart--omitted in the oldest manuscripts. The full interdict in Exo 19:12-13 is abbreviated here; the beast alone, being put for "whether man or beast"; the stoning, which applies to the human offender, alone being specified, the beast's punishment, namely, the being thrust through with a dart, being left to be understood.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For they could not endure that which was commanded - They could not sustain the awe produced by the fact that God uttered his commands himself. The meaning is not that the commands themselves were intolerable, but that the manner in which they were communicated inspired a terror which they could not bear. They feared that they should die; Exodus 20:19. And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned - Exodus 19:13. The prohibition was, that neither beast nor man should touch it on pain of death. The punishment was to be either by stoning, or being “shot through.” Or thrust through with a dart - Exodus 19:13. “Or shot through.” This phrase, however, though it is found in the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“For they could not bear - The terror which seized them, when they heard those words proclaimed, If even a beast, &c. Exo 19:12, &c. Hebrews 12:21”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“For they: Deu 33:2; Rom 3:19, Rom 3:20; Gal 2:19, Gal 3:10 if so much: Exo 19:13, Exo 19:16 Hebrews 12:21”
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Related study paths

Read Hebrews 12 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification