Verse Lens · Concise explanation
Hebrews 4:14 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 14. 14Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse pivots from exposure to confession because Jesus the Son of God is the great high priest who has passed through the heavens.
Read It With
- Hebrews 4:12–16
Read Hebrews 4:14 with 4:12–16. This verse pivots from exposure to confession because Jesus the Son of God is the great high priest who has passed through the heavens. The complete unit establishes this movement: God's living and effective word exposes intentions and leaves every creature accountable; therefore, because Jesus the Son of God is the great high priest who sympathizes with human weakness and was tested without sin, the community should hold its confession and approach the throne of grace for timely help.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The transition prevents accountability from becoming despair: the same hearers exposed before God are directed toward a sympathetic priest and a throne defined by grace. Within that movement, this verse pivots from exposure to confession because Jesus the Son of God is the great high priest who has passed through the heavens.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“passed into the heavens”
In plain language: The phrase describes priestly ascent into God's presence, not a map for speculative heavenly travel.
pivots from exposure to confession because Jesus the Son of God is the great high priest who has passed through the heavens. Accountability is joined to priestly access and held confession.
Why it matters: The wording identifies this verse's distinct contribution to the complete unit.
How certain? strongWhat Remains True
Accountability is joined to priestly access and held confession.
How It Can Shape Life
- Hold confession by looking to Jesus rather than hiding from exposure.
Continue in Context
The full thought-unit study remains the final contextual authority for this Verse Lens.
Read Hebrews 4:12–16 — The Exposing Word Leads to a Sympathetic High PriestSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing Scripture wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: Hebrews 4:12–16, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, discourse features, quotations, and original-language discussion.
Exact location: SBLGNT official text file Heb.txt, 4:12–16
Open the Hebrews Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible - Hebrews with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005-2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level Greek, syntax, KJV-era wording, textual variants, and interpretive alternatives.
Exact location: NET Bible Hebrews chapter print views, 4:12–16, including attached translator, study, and textual notes
Open NET Hebrews 4 notes