Hebrews 6:20

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 6:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, etc..] Christ was a runner; he had a race to run, which lay in going about to heal diseases, in preaching the Gospel, in obeying the law, and in suffering death for his people; which race was run by him with great swiftness, strength, and courage, with patience, cheerfulness, and joy, and is now ended; as appears from the accomplishment of salvation, from his entrance into heaven, and session at the right hand of God; from the glorification of his human nature, and its everlasting freedom from the dominion of death: and this race is run out, as a “forerunner”; Christ is the most excellent runner; there is none like him; there is none that…”
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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
“The absence of the Greek article requires ALFORD'S translation, "Where. As forerunner for us (that is, in our behalf), entered Jesus" [and is now: this last clause is implied in the 'where' of the Greek, which implies being IN a place: 'whither' is understood to 'entered,' taken out of 'where'; whither Jesus entered, and where He is now]. The "for us" implies that it was not for Himself, as God, He needed to enter there, but as our High Priest, representing and introducing us, His followers, opening the way to us, by His intercession with the Father, as the Aaronic high priest entered the Holiest Place once a year to make propitiation for the people. The first-fruits of our nature are…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Whither - To which most holy place - heaven. The forerunner - The word used here occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. A “forerunner” - πρόδρομος prodromos - is one who goes before others to prepare the way. The word is applied to light troops sent forward as scouts; Diod. Sic. 17, 17; compare “Wisdom of Solomon” (apoc) 12:8. “Thou didst send wasps, forerunners of thy host, to destroy them by little and little.” The meaning here is, that Jesus went first into the heavenly sanctuary. He led the way. He has gone there on our account, to prepare a place for us; John 14:3. Having such a friend and advocate there, we should be firm in the hope of eternal life, and amidst the storms and…”
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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
“A forerunner uses to be less in dignity than those that are to follow him. But it is not so here; for Christ who is gone before us is infinitely superior to us. What an honour is it to believers, to have so glorious a forerunner, now appearing in the presence of God for them. Next: Hebrews Chapter 7”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the forerunner: Heb 2:10; Joh 14:2, Joh 14:3 for: Heb 1:3, Heb 4:14, Heb 8:1, Heb 9:12, Heb 9:24, Heb 12:2; Rom 8:34; Eph 1:3, Eph 1:20-23; Pe1 3:22; Jo1 2:12 an: Heb 3:1, Heb 5:6, Heb 5:10, 7:1-21 Next: Hebrews Chapter 7”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification