Hebrews 13:14

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 13:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek after [the city] which is to come.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek after [the city] which is to come.
Hebrews 13:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek after [the city] which is to come.

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 here have we no continuing city, etc..] Neither for religious worship, the city of Jerusalem being quickly to be destroyed, nor for civil life to dwell in; and so may have a peculiar regard to the Hebrews, whose temple and city would, in a short time, become desolate; though it was the general case of the saints, in those times, to be obliged to flee from one city to another, having no certain dwelling place: and it may respect the common instability of this world, and of the state of the saints in it: this world, and all things in it, are unstable and transitory, the riches, honours, pleasures, and profits of it, and the persons in it, and even the world itself; the fashion of it passes…”
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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
“here--on earth. Those Hebrews who clung to the earthly sanctuary are representatives of all who cling to this earth. The earthly Jerusalem proved to be no "abiding city," having been destroyed shortly after this Epistle was written, and with it fell the Jewish civil and religious polity; a type of the whole of our present earthly order of things soon to perish. one to come-- (Heb 2:5; Heb 11:10, Heb 11:14, Heb 11:16; Heb 12:22; Phi 3:20).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For here we have no continuing city ... - We do not regard this as our final home, or our fixed abode, and we should be willing to bear reproaches during the little time that we are to remain here; compare notes, Hebrews 11:10, Hebrews 11:13-14. If, therefore, in consequence of our professed attachment to the Saviour, we should be driven away from our habitations, and compelled to wander, we should be willing to submit to it, for our permanent home is not here, but in heaven. The object of the writer seems to be to comfort the Hebrew Christians on the supposition that they would be driven by persecution from the city of Jerusalem, and doomed to wander as exiles. He tells them that their Lord…”
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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 we have here - On earth No continuing city - All things here are but for a moment; and Jerusalem itself was just then on the point of being destroyed. Hebrews 13:15”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“13:14 Like Abraham’s family (11:9-16), we are not ultimately invested in the world, for it is not our permanent home. We are looking for a home yet to come, the heavenly city of Jerusalem (12:22).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Heb 4:9, Heb 11:9, Heb 11:10, Heb 11:12-16, Heb 12:22; Mic 2:10; Co1 7:29; Co2 4:17, Co2 4:18, Co2 5:1-8; Phi 3:20 \*Gr: Col 3:1-3; Pe1 4:7; Pe2 3:13, Pe2 3:14 Hebrews 13:15”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification