1Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of the heavenly calling, carefully consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, [3:2] who was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all his house. [3:3] For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. [3:4] For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. [3:5] And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of things that were to be spoken later, [3:6] but Christ as a Son over his house — whose house we are, if we hold fast the confidence and the boast of the hope firm to the end.
HEB 3:1-6
Jesus Our Apostle and High Priest
In the world it was spoken into
In the first-century Jewish and Greco-Roman world, the roles of apostle and high priest carried significant cultural and religious weight. An apostle was understood as an authorized envoy, often sent with a specific mission or message, akin to a diplomatic representative. The high priest, central to Jewish worship, mediated between God and the people, offering sacrifices and maintaining ritual purity. Moses, revered as the faithful servant who led Israel and received the Law, was a foundational figure in Jewish identity. The author contrasts Jesus with Moses, elevating Jesus as the Son over the house, not merely a servant within it. This distinction would resonate with Jewish listeners familiar with the honor-shame hierarchy, where the builder of a house holds greater honor than the house itself. The call to 'carefully consider' Jesus invites a deep, reflective engagement with His role as both apostle and high priest, emphasizing His unique authority and faithfulness in God’s household.
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How other translations render this
HEB 3:1
- KJV
- Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
- BSB
- Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, set your focus on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.
- Koinōnos
- Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of the heavenly calling, carefully consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,
HEB 3:2
- KJV
- Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
- BSB
- He was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all Godʼs house.
- Koinōnos
- who was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all his house.
HEB 3:3
- KJV
- For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
- BSB
- For Jesus has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.
- Koinōnos
- For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.
HEB 3:4
- KJV
- For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
- BSB
- And every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.
- Koinōnos
- For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.
HEB 3:5
- KJV
- And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
- BSB
- Now Moses was faithful as a servant in all Godʼs house, testifying to what would be spoken later.
- Koinōnos
- And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of things that were to be spoken later,
HEB 3:6
- KJV
- But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
- BSB
- But Christ is faithful as the Son over Godʼs house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast.
- Koinōnos
- but Christ as a Son over his house — whose house we are, if we hold fast the confidence and the boast of the hope firm to the end.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
HEB 3:1
- partakers,:The word translated 'partakers' implies a deep, shared involvement, suggesting not just receiving a portion but actively participating in something alongside others.
- do carefully consider:The phrase 'do carefully consider' uses a word that means to observe with full mental engagement, to grasp something thoroughly, not just to glance at it.
- apostle:The word translated 'apostle' refers to someone specifically sent on a mission as an authorized representative or envoy, carrying the full authority of the sender.
- confession:The word translated 'confession' carries the sense of an open, public declaration or agreement, often made in response to a shared belief or understanding.