Hebrews 9:24

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 9:24 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us:
Hebrews 9:24 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
24For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us:

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 Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, etc..] The most holy place in the tabernacle of Moses, or in the temple built by Solomon, and rebuilt by Zerubbabel, and repaired by Herod, which are the figures of the true; that is, the most holy place in the tabernacle and temple, was a figure of the truth of that type; (see <580909> Hebrews 9:9) as follows. Josephus f203 suggests the same, when speaking of the most holy place; he says, that it was inaccessible to the priests, that it might be as heaven to God. But into heaven itself; not the visible heavens, the airy and starry ones, through which he passed, but the third heaven, the habitation of God, angels, and glorified…”
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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
“Resumption more fully of the thought, "He entered in once into the holy place," Heb 9:12. He has in Heb 9:13-14, expanded the words "by his own blood," Heb 9:12; and in Heb 9:15-23, he has enlarged on "an High Priest of good things to come." not . . . into . . . holy places made with hands--as was the Holy of Holies in the earthly tabernacle (see on Heb 9:11). figures--copies "of the true" holiest place, heaven, the original archetype (Heb 8:5). into heaven itself--the immediate presence of the invisible God beyond all the created heavens, through which latter Jesus passed (see on Heb 4:14; Ti1 6:16). now--ever since His ascension in the present economy (compare Heb 9:26). to appear--To…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands - Into the temple or tabernacle. The Jewish high priest alone entered into the most holy place; and the other priests into the holy place. Jesus, being of the tribe of Judah, and not of Levi, never entered the temple proper. He had access only to the courts of the temple, in the same way as any other Jew had; see the notes on Matthew 21:12. He has entered into the true temple - heaven - of which the earthly tabernacle was the type. Which are the figures of the true - Literally, “the antitypes” - ἀντίτυπα antitupa. The word properly means what is formed after a model, pattern, or type; and then what corresponds to something or…”
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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 Christ did not enter into the holy place made with hands - He never went into the holy of holies at Jerusalem, the figure of the true tabernacle in heaven, Heb 8:2. But into heaven itself, to appear in the presence of God for us - As our glorious high priest and powerful intercessor. Hebrews 9:26”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:24 Under the new covenant, Christ did not offer his sacrifice in the earthly Tabernacle. Rather, he entered into the very presence of God in heaven to act on our behalf. His sacrifice makes him a much better mediator to bring us into a right relationship with God (2 Cor 5:19-21).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the holy: Heb 9:11; Mar 14:58; Joh 2:19-21 the figures: Heb 9:9, Heb 9:23, Heb 8:2 but: Heb 1:3, Heb 6:20, Heb 7:26, Heb 8:2, Heb 8:5, Heb 12:2; Psa 68:18; Mar 16:19; Luk 24:51; Joh 6:62; Joh 16:28; Act 1:9-11, Act 3:21; Eph 1:20-22, Eph 4:8-11; Col 3:2; Pe1 3:22 appear: Heb 7:25; Exo 28:12, Exo 28:29; Zac 3:1; Rom 8:33; Jo1 2:1, Jo1 2:2; Rev 8:3 Hebrews 9:25”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification