Hebrews 10:19

KJV

¶ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

KJV (with Strong's)

Having {G2192} therefore {G3767}, brethren {G80}, boldness {G3954} to {G1519} enter {G1529} into the holiest {G39} by {G1722} the blood {G129} of Jesus {G2424},

Complete Jewish Bible

So, brothers, we have confidence to use the way into the Holiest Place opened by the blood of Yeshua.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,

American Standard Version

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 10:19 marks a pivotal transition in the Epistle to the Hebrews, shifting from profound theological exposition to practical exhortation. This verse declares the revolutionary privilege granted to believers under the New Covenant: unhindered access to God's immediate presence in the "holiest" by virtue of Jesus' atoning sacrifice. It underscores the profound confidence and freedom that Christ's finished work provides, inviting believers to draw near to God without fear or reservation, a stark contrast to the restricted access of the Old Covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial hinge, concluding the extensive theological argument of Hebrews 7-10:18 concerning the superiority of Christ's priesthood and His once-for-all sacrifice over the Old Covenant's Levitical system. The preceding verses (Hebrews 9:11-10:18) meticulously establish that Christ's blood, unlike that of animals, truly purifies and perfects, inaugurating a New Covenant where sins are remembered no more. Therefore, the "therefore" (G3767, _oûn_) in [Hebrews 10:19](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19 - Boldness to Enter") logically flows from this completed work, paving the way for the practical exhortations that follow in [Hebrews 10:22-25](/hebrews/10-22-25 "Hebrews 10:22-25 - Exhortations to Draw Near, Hold Fast, and Stir Up Love"). The author moves from explaining *what Christ has done* to *what believers can now do* in response.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of "the holiest" (G39, _hágion_) immediately evokes the Most Holy Place, or Holy of Holies, within the Jewish Tabernacle and later the Temple. This sacred inner sanctuary was considered the very dwelling place of God's presence on earth. Under the Old Covenant, it was strictly separated from the outer courts by a thick veil, and only the high priest was permitted to enter it, and then only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), bringing the blood of sacrificial animals to make atonement for himself and the people ([Leviticus 16:2](/leviticus/16-2 "Leviticus 16:2 - Rules for Entering the Holy Place")). This rigid restriction underscored God's absolute holiness and the profound separation between a holy God and sinful humanity, emphasizing the need for ritual purity and a divinely appointed mediator. The audience of Hebrews, likely Jewish Christians, would have been intimately familiar with this temple imagery and its implications of distance and fear.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme emerging from [Hebrews 10:19](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19 - Boldness to Enter") is the **new and direct access to God's presence** that believers now enjoy. This access is fundamentally rooted in the **sufficiency and superiority of Christ's atoning sacrifice**, which has effectively removed the barrier of sin that once separated humanity from God. The "blood of Jesus" is the singular, perfect means by which this access is granted, signifying His substitutionary death and the New Covenant it established. Furthermore, the theme of **boldness** (G3954, _parrēsía_) is paramount, signifying not merely courage but a divinely granted right and confidence to approach God without hesitation or fear, a privilege utterly unattainable under the Old Covenant's system of shadows and types, as seen in passages like [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **boldness (Greek, _parrēsía'_):** From G3954, meaning "all out-spokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance." In this context, _parrēsía_ signifies not just courage or audacity, but a divinely conferred right and confidence to speak and act freely in God's presence. It implies unhindered access and the absence of fear or shame, a profound spiritual privilege.
* **holiest (Greek, _hágion'_):** From G39, meaning "a sacred thing (i.e. spot):--holiest (of all), holy place, sanctuary." This term refers specifically to the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) in the Tabernacle and Temple, the innermost sanctuary where God's presence was manifested. Its use here emphasizes that believers now have direct spiritual access to God's very throne room, a place previously accessible only to the high priest once a year.
* **blood (Greek, _haîma'_):** From G129, meaning "of uncertain derivation; blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of Christ); by implication, bloodshed, also kindred." In Hebrews, "the blood of Jesus" is a central theological concept, representing His sacrificial death as the perfect, once-for-all atonement for sin. It is the basis for purification, sanctification, and, as here, the means by which believers gain access to God's presence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Having therefore, brethren,"**: This opening phrase establishes a logical consequence ("therefore") based on the preceding theological arguments (Hebrews 7-10:18) regarding Christ's superior sacrifice and priesthood. The address "brethren" (G80, _adelphós_) is an affectionate and inclusive term, drawing the audience into the profound implications of what has just been explained. It signals a shift from abstract doctrine to personal privilege and responsibility.
* **"boldness to enter into the holiest"**: This is the revolutionary declaration. "Boldness" (G3954, _parrēsía_) denotes not a presumptuous attitude but a confident, rightful access. The ability "to enter into the holiest" (G39, _hágion_) signifies direct, unmediated access to God's very presence. This privilege was unimaginable under the Old Covenant, where the Holy of Holies was veiled and guarded, accessible only to the high priest under strict conditions. Christ's work has fundamentally changed the nature of humanity's relationship with God.
* **"by the blood of Jesus,"**: This clause specifies the exclusive means by which this astonishing access is granted. It is "by" (G1722, _en_, indicating instrumentality or means) the "blood of Jesus" (G129, _haîma_, G2424, _Iēsoûs_). This refers to Jesus' atoning death on the cross, which perfectly satisfied God's justice and cleansed believers from sin. His sacrificial blood is the new and living way, establishing a new covenant and opening the path to God that was previously closed.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews masterfully employs several literary devices in this verse. **Symbolism** is prominent, with "the holiest" symbolizing God's immediate, sacred presence, and "the blood of Jesus" symbolizing His atoning sacrifice. The imagery of "entering" directly into this sacred space powerfully conveys the new, intimate relationship believers have with God. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** implied, setting the New Covenant's open access against the Old Covenant's restricted entry into the Holy of Holies. This contrast highlights the profound superiority of Christ's work. Furthermore, the concept of "boldness" itself functions as a **Metaphor** for the spiritual confidence and freedom believers possess, a confidence that replaces the fear and distance characteristic of the old dispensation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 10:19 encapsulates a profound theological truth: the finished work of Jesus Christ has fundamentally transformed humanity's relationship with God, moving from a state of separation and mediated access to one of intimate communion and direct approach. This verse underscores the efficacy and finality of Christ's sacrifice, which not only atones for sin but also inaugurates a new covenant where believers are sanctified and perfected. The access granted is not based on human merit or ritual performance, but solely on the merit of Christ's shed blood, allowing believers to approach God's throne of grace with confidence and without fear of judgment. This truth forms the bedrock for all subsequent exhortations to perseverance, faith, and love in the epistle.

* [Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn")
* [Ephesians 2:18](/ephesians/2-18 "Ephesians 2:18 - Access to the Father Through Christ")
* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 10:19 offers an astonishing invitation to every believer: direct, unhindered access to the very presence of God. This profound truth should revolutionize our spiritual lives. We no longer need to approach God with trepidation, as if He is distant or unapproachable. Instead, because of Jesus' perfect sacrifice, the way has been opened, and we are welcomed into the "holiest" with "boldness." This means our prayers can be offered with confidence, our worship can be unreserved, and our relationship with God can be one of intimate communion, not fearful obligation. This verse calls us to shed any lingering Old Covenant mindsets that might keep us at a distance, reminding us that the veil has been torn, and we are now priests in His kingdom, free to draw near. It empowers us to live lives of confident faith, knowing that our acceptance before God is secured by the blood of Jesus.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding our "boldness to enter into the holiest" change the way you approach prayer and worship?**
* **In what ways might you still be living as if the veil separating you from God remains, despite Christ's work?**
* **What practical steps can you take to more fully embrace this privilege of direct access to God's presence?**
* **How does the "blood of Jesus" as the sole basis for this access deepen your appreciation for His sacrifice?**

### FAQ

**What does "boldness" (parrēsía) truly mean in the context of Hebrews 10:19?**

Answer: In Hebrews 10:19, "boldness" (Greek: _parrēsía_) signifies much more than mere courage or audacity. It refers to a divinely granted right and confidence to approach God without fear, hesitation, or shame. It implies unhindered access, freedom of speech, and the assurance of being welcomed into God's presence. This is a radical departure from the Old Covenant, where approaching God's immediate presence (the Holy of Holies) was restricted and filled with fear, even for the high priest. Christ's sacrifice has removed the barrier of sin, making this confident access possible for all believers.

**How is the access described in Hebrews 10:19 different from how people approached God in the Old Testament?**

Answer: The difference is profound and foundational to the New Covenant. In the Old Testament, particularly under the Mosaic Law, direct access to God's immediate presence (symbolized by the Most Holy Place) was severely restricted. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement, and even then, with specific rituals and the blood of animals ([Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - Day of Atonement Rituals")). This system emphasized God's holiness and humanity's sinfulness, creating a necessary distance. [Hebrews 10:19](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19 - Boldness to Enter") declares that through Jesus' blood, this barrier has been removed. All believers now have direct, confident, and continuous access to God's presence, no longer needing human mediators or animal sacrifices. This is the essence of the "new and living way" mentioned in [Hebrews 10:20](/hebrews/10-20 "Hebrews 10:20 - The New and Living Way").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 10:19 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the divine High Priest, not of the Aaronic order, but "according to the order of Melchizedek" ([Hebrews 7:11](/hebrews/7-11 "Hebrews 7:11 - Melchizedek's Order")). Unlike the Old Testament priests who offered repeated sacrifices that could never truly take away sins, Jesus offered Himself "once for all" ([Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")), His own perfect "blood" being the ultimate and sufficient atonement. His death on the cross was the moment the physical temple veil was torn from top to bottom ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn")), a powerful symbolic act signifying that the way into the "holiest" – God's very presence – was now permanently opened. Through His sacrifice, Jesus became the "new and living way" ([Hebrews 10:20](/hebrews/10-20 "Hebrews 10:20 - The New and Living Way")) by which humanity can approach a holy God. He is not merely the means to access God; He *is* the very embodiment of that access, for "no one comes to the Father except through Me" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")). Thus, our boldness to enter the holiest is entirely derived from Christ's perfect work, His eternal priesthood, and His shed blood, making Him the sole mediator and the complete fulfillment of all Old Covenant shadows and types.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ephesians 2:18

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Hebrews 9:12

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us].

Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Ephesians 3:12

In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Romans 5:2

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Hebrews 12:28

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

1 John 4:17

¶ Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.