1
For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

2
He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and those who go astray, since he himself is also clothed with weakness,

3
and because of this he must offer sacrifice for sins, not only for the people, but also for himself.

4
And no man takes this honor to himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was.

5
So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but He was glorified by Him who said to Him:

“You are My Son;
Today I have begotten You.”

6
As He says also in another place:

“You are a priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek.”

7
In the days of His flesh, He offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission.

8
Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

9
And having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

10
being called by God a High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

11
Concerning this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

12
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have need of milk, and not of solid food.

13
For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a little child.

14
But solid food belongs to those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

📖 Hebrews 5 – Jesus Christ as the True High Priest

🧾 Summary of the Chapter

Hebrews 5 highlights the role of the high priest in the Old Covenant—chosen from among men to represent men before God. The writer explains that Christ also was called by God, like Aaron, but His ministry is greater, because it comes from the eternal decree and the perfection of His obedience through suffering.

Yet the writer also gives a rebuke: the congregation ought already to be mature in spiritual things, but they still need “milk,” not “solid food,” because they are slow to understand.

📘 Explanation of the Chapter

✨ Main Teachings

1. Jesus was appointed High Priest by God Himself
   Like Aaron, Jesus did not take this honor upon Himself, but was appointed by God with an oath and by His word. He is the eternal Priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
2. Suffering teaches obedience
   Though Jesus is the Son, He learned obedience through suffering, and therefore became the source of eternal salvation.
3. A high priest must understand the weakness of the people
   A human high priest is chosen so that he may show compassion, because he himself is also weak. Jesus, though without sin, experienced human suffering and is therefore fit to mediate.
4. The need for spiritual growth
   The writer rebukes many believers because they are still like children in spiritual understanding, not yet mature in the word of truth.

💡 Spiritual Meaning

Hebrews 5 reveals the compassionate mediating work of Christ, who not only serves as priest, but also became the sacrifice Himself. He leads the people to God through a perfect offering. Yet the people are also called to grow in spiritual maturity, not resting in basic teaching, but seeking a deeper understanding of the truth.

📖 Key Verse

“Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered; and having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”
— Hebrews 5:8–9