Hebrews 10:4
Hebrews 10:4 in Multiple Translations
because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.
Because it is not possible for the blood of oxen and goats to take away sins.
because it's impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to remove sins.
For it is vnpossible that the blood of bulles and goates should take away sinnes.
for it is impossible for blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
For it is impossible that with the blood of oxen and goats sin should be taken away.
The principle is that blood of animals such as bulls or goats can never remove the guilt of those who have sinned.
Berean Amplified Bible — Hebrews 10:4
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Hebrews 10:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Hebrews 10:4
Study Notes — Hebrews 10:4
- Context
- Cross References
- Hebrews 10:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Hebrews 10:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Hebrews 10:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hebrews 10:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Hebrews 10:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Hebrews 10:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Hebrews 10:4
- Cambridge Bible on Hebrews 10:4
- Barnes' Notes on Hebrews 10:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Hebrews 10:4
- Sermons on Hebrews 10:4
Context — Christ’s Perfect Sacrifice
4because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me. 6In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hebrews 10:11 | Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. |
| 2 | Isaiah 1:11–15 | “What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you— this trampling of My courts? Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me— your New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations. I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. |
| 3 | Micah 6:6–8 | With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? |
| 4 | Romans 11:27 | And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.” |
| 5 | 1 John 3:5 | But you know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. |
| 6 | Mark 12:33 | and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, which is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” |
| 7 | Hebrews 10:8 | In the passage above He says, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them” (although they are offered according to the law). |
| 8 | Hebrews 9:9 | It is an illustration for the present time, because the gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper. |
| 9 | Hosea 6:6 | For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. |
| 10 | Amos 5:21–22 | “I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. |
Hebrews 10:4 Summary
[This verse means that no matter how many animals were sacrificed, they could never completely remove the guilt of our sins. As it says in Hebrews 10:4, the blood of bulls and goats is insufficient for this purpose. This is why Jesus' sacrifice is so important - it is the only one that can truly take away our sins, as stated in Romans 3:24-25. By trusting in Jesus, we can have our sins forgiven and be made right with God.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins?
This means that the sacrifices made under the Old Covenant were not sufficient to completely remove the guilt of sins, as stated in Hebrews 10:4, and is further explained in Hebrews 9:9-10, which highlights the limitations of these sacrifices in perfecting the conscience of the worshiper.
Why were the sacrifices still performed if they couldn't take away sins?
The sacrifices served as a reminder of sins, as mentioned in Hebrews 10:3, and were a temporary measure until the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as prophesied in Isaiah 53:10-12 and fulfilled in Hebrews 10:10-14.
How does this relate to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ?
Jesus' sacrifice is the perfect and final sacrifice that takes away sins, as stated in Hebrews 10:10-14, and is the fulfillment of the prophecy in Psalm 40:6-8, where God says He does not desire sacrifice and offering, but a body prepared for the Savior.
What is the significance of the phrase 'it is impossible' in this verse?
The phrase emphasizes the absolute inability of the blood of bulls and goats to remove sins, highlighting the need for a superior sacrifice, as stated in Hebrews 9:23, and pointing to the superiority of Christ's sacrifice over the Old Covenant sacrifices.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I have tried to 'take away' my sins through my own efforts, and how has that worked out for me?
- How does the knowledge that Jesus' sacrifice is the only one that can truly take away my sins affect my daily life and relationship with Him?
- In what ways do I still try to rely on 'sacrifices' or good works to earn God's favor, rather than trusting in the finished work of Christ?
- How can I better appreciate and reverence the sacrifice that Jesus made for me, and what are some ways I can express my gratitude to Him?
Gill's Exposition on Hebrews 10:4
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Hebrews 10:4
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hebrews 10:4
Trapp's Commentary on Hebrews 10:4
Ellicott's Commentary on Hebrews 10:4
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Hebrews 10:4
Cambridge Bible on Hebrews 10:4
Barnes' Notes on Hebrews 10:4
Whedon's Commentary on Hebrews 10:4
Sermons on Hebrews 10:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Marriage- the Picture of Christ and His Church by Francis Chan | This sermon emphasizes the profound mystery of Christ-centered relationships, highlighting how earthly marriages are a reflection of the eternal relationship between Christ and the |
|
He Is Able (2 of 2) - 1955 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher recounts a story about a criminal named Connell who was sentenced to death. The preacher, Philip Dodridge, tried his best to save Connell by using all |
|
Drawing Near or Drawing Back? by David Guzik | David Guzik emphasizes the choice between drawing near to God or drawing back, as presented in Hebrews chapter 10. He addresses the discouragement faced by early Christians, urging |
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The First Believer by Teresa Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the events of the first Easter morning as described in John chapter 20. He emphasizes that Jesus was committed to teaching his disciples abou |
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He Claimed Our Sins as His Own (Part 1) by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher tells a story about two brothers. One brother commits a crime and asks for help from the other brother. The guilty brother gives his stained clothes to |
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Restoring Broken Trust, Joseph & Mary by Michael Flowers | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the beginning of God's redemptive plan, which starts with a sex scandal involving Joseph and Mary. Joseph is troubled and disillusioned by Mar |
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God Has a Ministry for You by George Warnock | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power and efficacy of the blood of Jesus in cleansing sinners. He encourages the congregation to think of God and have patience in their |







