Hebrews 13:20

KJV

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} the God {G2316} of peace {G1515}, that brought again {G321} from {G1537} the dead {G3498} our {G2257} Lord {G2962} Jesus {G2424}, that great {G3173} shepherd {G4166} of the sheep {G4263}, through {G1722} the blood {G129} of the everlasting {G166} covenant {G1242},

Complete Jewish Bible

The God of shalom brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Yeshua, by the blood of an eternal covenant.

Berean Standard Bible

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,

American Standard Version

Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 13:20 is a profound benediction, invoking God as the ultimate source of peace, who powerfully demonstrated His sovereignty by raising Jesus, our Lord, from the dead. This pivotal act establishes Jesus as the supreme and caring Shepherd of His people, a role secured and made eternally effective through the sacrifice of His own blood, which ratified the everlasting covenant between God and humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears as part of the concluding benediction in the Epistle to the Hebrews, immediately following a series of practical exhortations to the readers. The author has spent the majority of the letter meticulously arguing for the supremacy of Christ over the Old Covenant, its priesthood, sacrifices, and institutions. Chapters 10-12 transition from theological exposition to practical application, urging perseverance in faith, brotherly love, hospitality, and obedience to spiritual leaders. This benediction, therefore, serves as a powerful theological summary and a final prayer for the readers, grounding their Christian walk in the foundational truths of God's character, Christ's work, and the New Covenant. It is a fitting culmination, drawing together the major themes of the letter into a concise declaration of God's redemptive power and faithfulness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Epistle to the Hebrews was likely written to a community of Jewish Christians facing persecution or apostasy, possibly around the late 60s AD, prior to the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD. They were tempted to revert to Judaism, with its familiar rituals and perceived security. The author's constant emphasis on the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant was a direct pastoral response to this temptation. The imagery of a "shepherd" would resonate deeply with Jewish readers, recalling God's role as the Shepherd of Israel (e.g., [Psalm 23](/psalm/23 "Psalm 23 - The Lord is My Shepherd") or [Isaiah 40:11](/isaiah/40-11 "Isaiah 40:11 - God as Shepherd")). The concept of a "covenant" was central to Jewish identity, and the "blood" of a covenant sacrifice was the established means of ratification. The author reinterprets these familiar concepts through the lens of Christ, demonstrating that the New Covenant, sealed by Christ's blood, is the ultimate fulfillment and superior to the old, providing enduring peace and access to God.
* **Key Themes:** Hebrews 13:20 encapsulates several [key themes](/hebrews/13 "Hebrews 13 - Final Exhortations and Benediction") woven throughout the epistle. The identification of God as the "God of peace" underscores His desire for reconciliation and the holistic well-being He offers through Christ, contrasting with the fear and judgment associated with the Old Covenant. The [resurrection of Jesus](/hebrews/13-20 "Hebrews 13:20 - God Raised Jesus from the Dead") is presented as the ultimate proof of God's power and the validation of Christ's atoning work, serving as the bedrock of Christian hope and the foundation for the new life believers experience. Jesus' role as the "great shepherd of the sheep" highlights His ongoing pastoral care, guidance, and protection for His people, echoing His own self-identification as the [Good Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus the Good Shepherd") who lays down His life for His flock. Finally, the "everlasting covenant" sealed "through the blood" of Christ is the central theological argument of Hebrews, emphasizing the permanence, efficacy, and superiority of the New Covenant over the Old, providing eternal access to God and complete forgiveness of sins, as elaborated in passages like [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **peace (Greek, _eirḗnē'_):** This word signifies not merely the absence of conflict but a holistic state of well-being, wholeness, prosperity, and reconciliation. When God is called the "God of peace," it speaks to His character as the one who brings harmony, reconciliation, and spiritual tranquility, especially between Himself and humanity through Christ. It encompasses both objective peace (reconciliation with God) and subjective peace (inner calm and security).
* **shepherd (Greek, _poimḗn'_):** This term denotes one who tends, feeds, guides, and protects sheep. In biblical contexts, it is a significant metaphor for leadership, care, and provision. Applied to Jesus, "great shepherd" emphasizes His supreme authority, loving care, and faithful guidance over His flock (believers). It draws on rich Old Testament imagery of God as the Shepherd of Israel and highlights Jesus' fulfillment of this divine role.
* **covenant (Greek, _diathḗkē'_):** This word refers to a solemn, binding agreement or disposition, often with legal implications, like a will or testament. In the context of Hebrews, it refers to God's divinely initiated and established relationship with humanity. The "everlasting covenant" is the New Covenant, which is superior to the Old Covenant because it is permanent, effective in cleansing sin, and mediated by Christ's perfect sacrifice, ensuring an eternal relationship with God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now the God of peace,"**: This opening phrase identifies the subject of the benediction as God, specifically highlighting His attribute as the source and giver of peace. This peace is not merely a feeling but a state of reconciliation and wholeness that God brings about.
* **"that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,"**: This clause declares God's mighty act of resurrection. It underscores God's absolute power over death and His validation of Jesus' identity and mission. The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian faith, proving His victory over sin and death and confirming Him as "Lord."
* **"that great shepherd of the sheep,"**: This phrase describes Jesus' exalted role and ongoing relationship with His followers. By raising Him from the dead, God establishes Jesus as the supreme and caring Shepherd, who leads, protects, and provides for His "sheep" (His people), fulfilling ancient prophecies and His own claims.
* **"through the blood of the everlasting covenant,"**: This final clause explains the means by which Jesus' resurrection and His role as Shepherd are secured and made effective. It is through His sacrificial death, symbolized by "blood," that the "everlasting covenant" is ratified. This covenant is eternal and unbreakable, providing permanent access to God and complete forgiveness of sins, distinguishing it from the temporary nature of the Old Covenant.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant **literary devices**. **Appellation** is evident in the titles given to God ("God of peace") and Jesus ("Lord Jesus," "great shepherd of the sheep"), which emphasize their character and authority. The phrase "God of peace" is a form of **theological epithet**, highlighting a specific attribute of God that is central to the benediction's purpose—to convey a sense of divine tranquility and reconciliation. **Metaphor** is powerfully used in "great shepherd of the sheep," likening Jesus' relationship with believers to that of a shepherd with his flock, conveying themes of guidance, protection, and intimate care. The mention of "blood" serves as **symbolism**, representing the sacrificial death of Christ, which is the means of atonement and the ratification of the covenant. The "everlasting covenant" itself functions as a **theological concept** that is central to the entire book of Hebrews, here serving as the foundational truth upon which the benediction rests. The entire verse functions as a **benediction**, a form of prayer or blessing, characterized by its declarative and invocational tone, designed to impart spiritual well-being and reinforce theological truths.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 13:20 stands as a theological cornerstone, linking God's character, Christ's redemptive work, and the security of the New Covenant. It beautifully encapsulates the essence of the gospel: God, in His nature as the source of all peace, has acted decisively in history through the resurrection of Jesus. This act not only validates Jesus' divine identity but also establishes Him as the compassionate and powerful Shepherd who guides His flock. The means by which this entire redemptive reality is secured is the "blood of the everlasting covenant," underscoring the permanence and efficacy of Christ's sacrifice. This verse assures believers of their secure standing with God, founded not on their own merit but on God's unchangeable character and Christ's finished work, providing profound comfort and a basis for confident living.

* [Romans 15:33](/romans/15-33 "Romans 15:33 - The God of Peace Be With You")
* [1 Peter 5:4](/1_peter/5-4 "1 Peter 5:4 - The Chief Shepherd Will Appear")
* [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - Prophecy of the New Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This benediction from Hebrews 13:20 offers profound comfort and a robust foundation for the Christian life. To know God as the "God of peace" means that He is actively working to bring wholeness and reconciliation into our chaotic lives and a fractured world. His ultimate demonstration of this peace was in raising Jesus from the dead, conquering the greatest disruptor of peace—death and sin. This truth should inspire immense confidence: if God can defeat death, He can certainly bring peace to our anxieties, fears, and broken relationships. Furthermore, recognizing Jesus as the "great shepherd of the sheep" reminds us that we are not left to wander aimlessly. He is intimately involved in our lives, guiding us through challenges, protecting us from spiritual dangers, and providing for our every need. Our security is rooted in the "everlasting covenant," sealed by His blood, meaning our salvation and relationship with God are permanent and unshakeable, not dependent on our fluctuating performance but on His unchangeable faithfulness. This should lead us to live with gratitude, trust, and a desire to follow our Shepherd more closely, resting in the profound peace He provides.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God as the "God of peace" impact your approach to daily anxieties and conflicts?**
* **In what ways does the resurrection of Jesus from the dead strengthen your faith and hope for the future?**
* **How can you more intentionally yield to Jesus' guidance and care as your "great shepherd" in your current circumstances?**
* **What practical implications does the "everlasting covenant" have for your assurance of salvation and your relationship with God?**

### FAQ
**Why is God called the "God of peace" in this benediction?**

Answer: God is called the "God of peace" because He is the ultimate source and giver of true peace, both reconciliation with Himself and inner tranquility. This title highlights His benevolent character and His desire to bring wholeness and harmony to humanity. In the context of Hebrews, it underscores that the New Covenant, established through Christ, brings a peace that the Old Covenant could not fully provide—a peace rooted in the complete forgiveness of sins and direct access to God, as seen throughout the letter (e.g., [Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4-1-11 "Hebrews 4:1-11 - Rest in God's Promise")).

**What is the significance of Jesus being called the "great shepherd of the sheep"?**

Answer: The title "great shepherd of the sheep" is profoundly significant, drawing on rich biblical imagery. In the Old Testament, God Himself is often depicted as the Shepherd of Israel (e.g., [Psalm 23:1](/psalm/23-1 "Psalm 23:1 - The Lord is My Shepherd")). Jesus also identified Himself as the [Good Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus the Good Shepherd") who lays down His life for His sheep. By calling Him the "great shepherd," the author of Hebrews emphasizes Jesus' supreme authority, loving care, and faithful provision for His people. It signifies His role as the one who perfectly fulfills God's pastoral care, leading, protecting, and nourishing His flock, a role confirmed by His resurrection.

**What does "the blood of the everlasting covenant" refer to?**

Answer: "The blood of the everlasting covenant" refers to the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, which established and ratified the New Covenant. In ancient times, covenants were often sealed with blood sacrifices, symbolizing the solemnity and binding nature of the agreement. The author of Hebrews argues extensively that Christ's blood is superior to the animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant because it is the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that truly cleanses from sin and provides eternal redemption (e.g., [Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Blood and Eternal Redemption")). The term "everlasting" emphasizes the permanent and unending nature of this new agreement, guaranteeing its efficacy and God's faithfulness to His promises through Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 13:20 is a powerful declaration of Christ's centrality in God's redemptive plan. The "God of peace" is revealed most fully in His act of raising Jesus from the dead, demonstrating His triumph over sin and death, which were the ultimate barriers to peace between God and humanity. This resurrection is the very foundation of the gospel, validating Jesus' claims and securing our hope. Jesus is not merely a shepherd, but the "great shepherd of the sheep," a title that points directly to His unique role as the divine leader and protector of His people, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies of a coming shepherd for Israel (e.g., [Ezekiel 34:23](/ezekiel/34-23 "Ezekiel 34:23 - David My Servant, the Shepherd")). His identity as the "great shepherd" is intrinsically linked to His atoning work, for He is the Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep (as He declared in [John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus the Good Shepherd")) and was subsequently raised to shepherd them eternally. The "everlasting covenant" is entirely Christ-centered, for it is His own "blood" that inaugurated and sealed this new, superior covenant, providing permanent access to God and complete forgiveness of sins, a reality foreshadowed in the Old Testament and fully realized in Him (as detailed in [Hebrews 9:15-22](/hebrews/9-15-22 "Hebrews 9:15-22 - Christ the Mediator of the New Covenant")). Thus, every aspect of this benediction—God's peace, the resurrection, Jesus' shepherding, and the eternal covenant—finds its ultimate meaning and fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

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

John 10:11

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Hebrews 10:22

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Psalms 23:1

¶ A Psalm of David. The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.

Romans 15:33

Now the God of peace [be] with you all. Amen.

Ezekiel 37:26

Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.

2 Thessalonians 3:16

¶ Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord [be] with you all.

John 10:14

I am the good shepherd, and know my [sheep], and am known of mine.