Hebrews 4:13

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 4:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Hebrews 4:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight, etc..] Christ is the Lord God omniscient; there is no creature, in general, rational, or irrational, animate or inanimate, but what are known to him, and seen by him; for all creatures are made, and upheld by him, and he is omnipresent; and in particular, there is no man but is manifest to him; so hyrb, “creature”, is often used by the Rabbins for “man”; all men, openly profane men, who are enemies to Christ, and his people, are under his eye and notice; he knows their persons, he sees their actions, even those that are most secretly devised and performed against him, and his saints; and he takes such notice of them, as to…”
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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
“creature--visible or invisible. in his sight--in God's sight (Heb 4:12). "God's wisdom, simply manifold, and uniformly multiform, with incomprehensible comprehension, comprehends all things incomprehensible." opened--literally, "thrown on the back so as to have the neck laid bare," as a victim with neck exposed for sacrifice. The Greek perfect tense implies that this is our continuous state in relation to God. "Show, O man, shame and fear towards thy God, for no veil, no twisting, bending, coloring, or disguise, can cover unbelief" (Greek, 'disobedience,' Heb 4:11). Let us, therefore, earnestly labor to enter the rest lest any fall through practical unbelief (Heb 4:11).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight - There is no being who is not wholly known to God. All his thoughts, feelings, plans, are distinctly understood. Of the truth of this there can be no doubt. The “design” of the remark here is, to guard those to whom the apostle was writing from self-deception - since they could conceal nothing from God. All things are naked - Exposed; uncovered. There is nothing that can be concealed from God; Psalms 139:11-12. “The veil of night is no disguise, No screen from thy all-searching eyes; Thy hands can seize thy foes as soon. Thro’ midnight shades as blazing noon.” And opened - - τετραχηλισμένα tetrachēlismena. The word used here…”
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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
“In his sight - It is God whose word is thus "powerful:" it is God in whose sight every creature is manifest; and of this his word, working on the conscience, gives the fullest conviction. But all things are naked and opened - Plainly alluding to the sacrifices under the law which were first flayed, and then (as the Greek word literally means) cleft asunder through the neck and backbone; so that everything both without and within was exposed to open view. Hebrews 4:14”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:13 To be naked and exposed speaks figuratively of being vulnerable, helpless, or unprotected. The guilty are not able to hide from God’s penetrating word of judgment (cp. Rev 3:17).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“is there: Sa1 16:7; Ch1 28:9; Ch2 6:30; Psa 7:9, Psa 33:13-15, Psa 44:21, Psa 90:8, Psa 139:11; Psa 139:12; Pro 15:3, Pro 15:11; Jer 17:10, Jer 17:23, Jer 17:24; Joh 2:24, Joh 21:17; Co1 4:5; Rev 2:23 naked: Job 26:6, Job 34:21, Job 38:17 with: Ecc 12:14; Mat 7:21, Mat 7:22, Mat 25:31, Mat 25:32; Joh 5:22-29; Act 17:31; Rom 2:16; Rom 14:9-12; Co2 5:10; Rev 20:11-15 Hebrews 4:14”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification