Hebrews 10:3

KJV

But in those [sacrifices there is] a remembrance again [made] of sins every year.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} in {G1722} those {G846} sacrifices there is a remembrance again {G364} made of sins {G266} every {G2596} year {G1763}.

Complete Jewish Bible

No, it is quite the contrary — in these sacrifices is a reminder of sins, year after year.

Berean Standard Bible

Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins,

American Standard Version

But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance made of sins year by year.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 10:3 highlights the inherent inadequacy of the Old Covenant sacrificial system, particularly the annual offerings on the Day of Atonement. Far from permanently removing sin, these repeated sacrifices served as a yearly "remembrance" or "calling to mind" of sins, underscoring the persistent need for atonement and the inability of animal blood to truly perfect the conscience of the worshiper. This continuous cycle implicitly pointed to the necessity of a superior, once-for-all sacrifice that could genuinely deal with the problem of sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the author's sustained argument in the book of Hebrews concerning the superiority of Christ's new covenant ministry over the Old Covenant Law and its sacrificial system. Immediately preceding this verse, Hebrews 10:1-2 establishes that the Law, with its shadows, could never make perfect those who drew near. If it could, the sacrifices would have ceased because the worshipers, once purified, would have no more consciousness of sins. Hebrews 10:3 then directly explains *why* the sacrifices did not cease: they merely served as an annual reminder of sins, not their eradication. This sets the stage for the subsequent exposition of Christ's perfect, once-for-all sacrifice in [Hebrews 10:4-18](/hebrews/10-4-18 "Hebrews 10:4-18 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "sacrifices" referenced here primarily allude to the annual rituals performed on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, as prescribed in [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement"). On this most solemn day of the Israelite calendar, the high priest entered the Most Holy Place to offer blood sacrifices for his own sins and for the sins of the entire nation. This was not a one-time event but an annual necessity, reinforcing the provisional and temporary nature of the atonement it provided. The meticulous rituals, the specific animals, and the yearly repetition were deeply ingrained in the Jewish religious consciousness, representing their ongoing relationship with a holy God and their persistent need for cleansing from defilement.
* **Key Themes:** Several major themes converge in this verse. First, the **inadequacy of Old Covenant sacrifices** is starkly presented; their very repetition proves their inability to achieve ultimate cleansing. If they were truly effective, they would have ceased, as [Hebrews 10:2](/hebrews/10-2 "Hebrews 10:2 - The Inadequacy of Repeated Sacrifices") asserts. Second, the theme of **perpetual remembrance of sins** is central. Instead of removing the memory or guilt of sin, the annual ritual served to bring sins back to mind, highlighting the continuous human failure and the persistent need for divine mercy. This contrasts sharply with the New Covenant promise where God declares, "their sins and iniquities will I [remember no more](/hebrews/10-17 "Hebrews 10:17 - God's Promise to Remember Sins No More")". Finally, this verse subtly contributes to the overarching theme of **foreshadowing Christ's perfect work**. While insufficient in themselves, these divinely ordained rituals established the principle of atonement through blood, preparing God's people for the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **But (Greek, _allá'_):** This conjunction introduces a strong contrast. In the context of Hebrews 10:1-2, which speaks of the Law being a shadow and the sacrifices ceasing if they could perfect, "but" signals a counterpoint. It emphasizes that despite the Law's purpose, the reality was that the sacrifices did not perfect; instead, they served a different, albeit temporary, function.
* **remembrance again (Greek, _anámnēsis'_):** This term signifies a "calling to mind" or "recollection." It is crucial for understanding the verse's point. The annual sacrifices did not erase sins from God's memory or the worshiper's conscience. Instead, they acted as an annual re-presentation of the problem of sin, a fresh reminder that sin was still present and required ongoing propitiation. This "remembrance" is not about God forgetting and then remembering, but about the ritual serving as a perpetual memorial of human sinfulness and the need for atonement.
* **sins (Greek, _hamartía'_):** This word refers to "sin" in its abstract sense, encompassing both individual transgressions and the inherent sinful nature. The fact that "sins" are continually "remembered" underscores the deep-seated nature of humanity's fallen condition. It highlights that the Old Covenant sacrifices could only cover, not eradicate, the fundamental problem of sin, leaving a persistent consciousness of guilt and separation from God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But in those sacrifices":** This phrase directly refers to the annual animal offerings under the Old Covenant, particularly those on the Day of Atonement. The "but" introduces a contrast, setting the stage for an explanation of their true, limited function.
* **"there is a remembrance again made of sins":** This is the core assertion of the verse. It means that the very act of offering these sacrifices served to bring sins to mind, to make them present and accounted for once more. It was a yearly acknowledgment of the ongoing reality of sin and the need for its provisional covering, rather than a definitive removal.
* **"every year":** This temporal phrase emphasizes the cyclical, repetitive nature of these sacrifices. The yearly repetition is the proof of their imperfection and inability to provide a final solution to the sin problem. If they truly cleansed, they would only need to be offered once.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews masterfully employs several literary devices to convey his theological argument. **Contrast** is a primary device, evident in the "But" which introduces a distinction between what the Law *could not* do (perfect the worshiper) and what the sacrifices *did* do (provide a remembrance of sins). This sets up the later, ultimate contrast with Christ's perfect sacrifice. **Repetition** is also key, highlighted by the phrase "every year." This emphasizes the cyclical, unending nature of the Old Covenant rituals, which stands in stark opposition to the "once for all" nature of Christ's offering. Finally, there is a subtle use of **Metonymy**, where "sacrifices" stand in for the entire Old Covenant system and its inability to provide ultimate atonement. The annual "remembrance" itself becomes a symbol of the Law's provisional and incomplete nature, pointing to the need for a better covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 10:3 profoundly underscores the provisional and preparatory nature of the Old Covenant sacrificial system. It reveals that the Law, while holy and good, was never intended to be the ultimate solution to humanity's sin problem. Instead, its annual rituals, particularly the Day of Atonement, served as a perpetual reminder of sin's ongoing presence and the deep chasm it created between a holy God and sinful humanity. This constant "remembrance" highlighted the inadequacy of animal blood to truly cleanse the conscience or remove the guilt of sin, thereby creating a profound longing and theological necessity for a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that could truly deal with sin definitively.

* [Leviticus 16:21](/leviticus/16-21 "Leviticus 16:21 - The Scapegoat and Confession of Sins")
* [Hebrews 9:9](/hebrews/9-9 "Hebrews 9:9 - The Limitations of the Old Covenant Tabernacle")
* [Jeremiah 31:34](/jeremiah/31-34 "Jeremiah 31:34 - God's Promise to Remember Sins No More in the New Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 10:3, when understood in its full redemptive-historical context, offers profound comfort and assurance to believers today. It liberates us from any lingering sense that our forgiveness is conditional upon repeated rituals or ongoing efforts to appease God. The very inadequacy of the Old Covenant sacrifices, highlighted by their annual repetition and the "remembrance of sins" they entailed, serves to magnify the perfect, complete, and permanent work of Jesus Christ. We are no longer under a system that perpetually brings our sins to mind, but under a covenant where sins are truly forgiven and remembered no more by God. This truth should lead to a deep sense of gratitude, freedom, and confidence in our access to God, knowing that our standing before Him is secured not by our imperfect works, but by Christ's finished work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the "remembrance of sins" under the Old Covenant contrast with your experience of forgiveness and freedom in Christ?**
* **In what ways might we, even as believers, sometimes fall back into a mindset of needing to "re-atone" for sins through our efforts, rather than resting in Christ's finished work?**
* **How does the truth of Christ's once-for-all sacrifice empower you to live a life of greater confidence and boldness in your relationship with God?**
* **What practical implications does the permanent removal of sin's remembrance have for your daily walk and spiritual growth?**

### FAQ
**What does "remembrance again made of sins" truly mean in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "remembrance again made of sins" (Greek: _anámnēsis_) signifies that the annual sacrifices, particularly on the Day of Atonement, did not permanently remove or obliterate the guilt and consciousness of sin. Instead, they served as a yearly "calling to mind" or "recollection" of the people's sins. It was a solemn reminder that sin was still a present reality requiring ongoing, albeit temporary, propitiation. This cyclical act underscored the provisional nature of the Old Covenant's atonement, highlighting that the fundamental problem of sin had not yet been definitively solved, thereby creating an anticipation for a more perfect solution.

**How does this verse relate to the Christian practice of communion (the Lord's Supper)?**

Answer: While Hebrews 10:3 speaks of the Old Covenant sacrifices, the Greek word _anámnēsis_ ("remembrance") is also used by Jesus in the institution of the Lord's Supper, where He says, "Do this in [remembrance of me](/luke/22-19 "Luke 22:19 - Do this in remembrance of me")" (Luke 22:19). The contrast is profound: the Old Covenant sacrifices brought sins to remembrance, emphasizing their ongoing presence and the need for repeated atonement. In contrast, the Lord's Supper brings Christ's finished work to remembrance, celebrating the once-for-all sacrifice that has definitively dealt with sin, securing full forgiveness and new covenant blessings. It is a remembrance of salvation accomplished, not of sins still needing to be covered.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 10:3, by exposing the inherent inadequacy of the Old Covenant sacrifices, powerfully sets the stage for the absolute necessity and ultimate sufficiency of Christ's atoning work. The yearly "remembrance of sins" in the ancient rituals served as a stark demonstration that animal blood could never truly take away sin or perfect the conscience, as [Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - Animal Sacrifices Cannot Take Away Sins") explicitly states. This continuous cycle of sin and sacrifice was a divine object lesson, patiently educating God's people about the depth of their sin problem and the provisional nature of the Law, thereby cultivating a longing for a definitive solution. This longing is gloriously fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who, by His single, perfect offering, has forever dealt with sin. Unlike the priests who stood daily offering the same sacrifices, Christ "offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, [He sat down at the right hand of God](/hebrews/10-12 "Hebrews 10:12 - Christ's Single Sacrifice and Exaltation")" (Hebrews 10:12). His sacrifice not only covers sins but truly [takes them away](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfecting those who are sanctified and ensuring that their "sins and iniquities will I [remember no more](/hebrews/10-17 "Hebrews 10:17 - God's Promise to Remember Sins No More")" (Hebrews 10:17). Thus, Hebrews 10:3, though seemingly negative, serves as a vital dark backdrop against which the brilliant light of Christ's finished work shines with unparalleled glory, securing for us [eternal redemption](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption").

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

Hebrews 9:7

But into the second [went] the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and [for] the errors of the people:

Exodus 30:10

And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it [is] most holy unto the LORD.

Leviticus 23:27

Also on the tenth [day] of this seventh month [there shall be] a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

Leviticus 23:28

And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it [is] a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.

Leviticus 16:34

And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.

Leviticus 16:6

And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which [is] for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.

Leviticus 16:11

And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which [is] for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which [is] for himself: