Hebrews 9:11

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 9:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation,
Hebrews 9:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11But Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation,

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But Christ being come an high priest, etc..] Christ is come, as appears from the cessation of civil government among the Jews, which was not to be till Shiloh came; from the destruction of the second temple, into which the Messiah was to come, and did; from the expiration of Daniel's weeks, at which he was to appear, and be cut off; from the coming of John the Baptist, his forerunner, and from the preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles, and the calling and conversion of them, and the effusion of the Spirit upon them: and he is come an high priest; he was called to be one, and was constituted as such in the council and covenant of peace; and he agreed to do the work of one; he was typified…”
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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
“But--in contrast to "could not make . . . perfect" (Heb 9:9). Christ--The Messiah, of whom all the prophets foretold; not "Jesus" here. From whom the "reformation" (Heb 9:10), or rectification, emanates, which frees from the yoke of carnal ordinances, and which is being realized gradually now, and shall be perfectly in the consummation of "the age (world) to come." "Christ . . . High Priest," exactly answers to Lev 4:5, "the priest that is anointed." being come an, &c.--rather, "having come forward (compare Heb 10:7, a different Greek word, picturesquely presenting Him before us) as High Priest." The Levitical priests must therefore retire. Just as on the day of atonement, no work was done,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But Christ being come - Now that the Messiah has come, a more perfect system is introduced by which the conscience may be made free from guilt. An high priest of good things to come - see Hebrews 10:1. The apostle having described the tabernacle, and shown wherein it was defective in regard to the real wants of sinners, proceeds now to describe the Christian system, and to show how that met the real condition of man, and especially how it was adapted to remove sin from the soul. The phrase “high priest of good things to come,” seems to refer to those “good things” which belonged to the dispensation that was to come; that is, the dispensation under the Messiah. The Jews anticipated great…”
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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
“An high priest of good things to come - Described, Heb 9:15. Entered through a greater, that is, a more noble, and perfect tabernacle - Namely, his own body. Not of this creation - Not framed by man, as that tabernacle was. Hebrews 9:12”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:11–10:18 The author now contrasts the old system (9:1-10) with the superior sacrifice made by Christ as High Priest: The blood of Christ’s offering was his own blood, not the blood of animals (9:13-22; cp. 9:7); Christ’s offering was made in the heavenly Tabernacle, not the earthly one (9:23-24; cp. 9:1-5); and Christ’s offering, rather than being made continually, was made just one time (9:25–10:18; cp. 7:27; 9:6-7). 9:11 Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things of the new covenant. He was appointed by God in accord with Ps 110:4 (Heb 5:1-10; 7:1-28) and offered a superior offering. • that have come: Some manuscripts read that are about to come, either from the…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Christ: Gen 49:10; Psa 40:7; Isa 59:20; Mal 3:1; Mat 2:6, Mat 11:3; Joh 4:25; Jo1 4:2, Jo1 4:3, Jo1 5:20; Jo2 1:7 an high priest: Heb 2:17, Heb 3:1, Heb 4:15, Heb 5:5, Heb 5:6, Heb 7:1, 11-26, Heb 7:27, Heb 8:1 of good: Heb 10:1 by a greater: Heb 9:1-9, Heb 8:2; Joh 1:14 \*Gr. not made: Heb 9:23, Heb 9:24; Act 7:48, Act 17:24, Act 17:25; Co2 5:1; Col 2:11 Hebrews 9:12”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification