Hebrews 5:5 · Bible study
Hebrews 5:5 Commentary: Christ's Divine Call to the High Priesthood
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Christ did not exalt himself to the high priesthood. God called him as Son. This verse shows why Jesus' priesthood is legitimate and unique.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Christ did not appoint himself high priest; God the Father called him by declaring him Son.
- Key words: glorify (doxazō), high priest (archiereus), Son (huios), today (sēmeron), begotten (gennaō).
- Main debate: Whether 'today I have begotten you' refers to Christ's eternal generation or to his resurrection/exaltation as his installation into priesthood.
- Theological theme: The inseparable link between Christ's Sonship and his priesthood; divine appointment over human lineage.
- Best use: To establish that Jesus' priesthood is legitimate, superior to the Levitical order, and rooted in his identity as the Son of God.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
So also Christ didn’t glorify himself to be made a high priest, but it was he who said to him, “You are my Son. Today I have become your father.”
KJV King James Version 1769
So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
So Christ also glorified not himself to be made a high priest, but he that spake unto him, Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee:
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
so also the Christ did not glorify himself to become chief priest, but He who spake unto him: `My Son thou art, I to-day have begotten thee;'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Thus the Christ also has not glorified himself to be made a high priest; but he who had said to him, Thou art my Son, I have to-day begotten thee.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
So Christ also did not glorify himself, that he might be made a high priest: but he that said unto him: Thou art my Son: this day have I begotten thee.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Así también Cristo no se glorificó á sí mismo haciéndose Pontífice, mas el que le|strong="G4314, G0846" dijo: Tú eres mi Hijo, yo te he engendrado hoy;
Assim também Cristo não glorificou a si mesmo para se fazer Sumo Sacerdote; mas sim, àquele que lhe disse: Tu és meu Filho, eu hoje te gerei.
Et Christ ne s’ est pas non plus attribué la gloire de devenir souverain sacrificateur, mais il la tient de celui qui lui a dit:
Also auch Christus hat sich nicht selbst in die Ehre gesetzt, daß er Hoherpriester würde, sondern der zu ihm gesagt hat: “ Du bist mein lieber Sohn, heute habe ich dich gezeuget.”
Alzo heeft ook Christus Zichzelven niet verheerlijkt, om Hogepriester te worden, maar Die tot Hem gesproken heeft: Gij zijt Mijn Zoon, heden heb Ik U gegenereerd.
Così anche Cristo non si prese da sé la gloria d’esser fatto Sommo Sacerdote; ma l’ebbe da Colui che gli disse: Tu sei il mio Figliuolo; oggi t’ho generato;
Tak i Chrystus nie sam sobie tej czci przywłaszczył, aby się stał najwyższym kapłanem; ale ten, który mu rzekł: Syn mój jesteś ty, jam cię dziś spłodził.
Так и Христос не Сам Себе присвоил славу быть первосвященником, но Тот, Кто сказал Ему: Ты Сын Мой, Я ныне родил Тебя;
如此，基督 也 不 是自 取榮耀 作 大祭司，乃 是在乎向 他 說「你 是 我的 兒子，我 今日 生 你」的那一位；
In the same way Christ did not take for himself the glory of being made a high priest, but was given it by him who said, You are my Son, this day I have given you being:
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Hebrews 5:5
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Hebrews 5:5 makes two interrelated claims: Christ did not seize the high priesthood on his own, and his appointment came directly from God the Father through the declaration of Sonship. Vincent's Word Studies notes that the Greek verb edoxasen ('glorified') is a broad term, but here it is specified by the infinitive 'to become high priest.' Christ did not glorify himself; rather, the One who addressed him as Son glorified him. Barnes, Calvin, and Gill all stress that Christ was no intruder, his call was as legitimate as Aaron's, but it came through divine sonship rather than Levitical descent. The quotation from Psalm 2:7 is not offered as a direct institution of the priesthood, but as proof that the Father who declared Jesus his Son is the same who appointed him priest. As Bruce (cited by Vincent) puts it, 'Christ's priestly vocation ceases to be an accident in his history, and becomes an essential characteristic of his position as Son.'
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Eternal Sonship basis: The declaration 'You are my Son' refers to Christ's eternal relationship with the Father, which fundamentally qualifies him for the priesthood.
- Resurrection/exaltation appointment: 'Today' points to Christ's resurrection or ascension, when he was publicly declared Son and installed as high priest (Acts 13:33).
- Combined: Sonship as the ground of the call: The quotation serves to show that the same Father who declared Jesus Son also called him to be priest; Sonship and priestly office are inseparably linked in Christ's person.
What is clear: Christ did not assume the high priesthood on his own initiative; God the Father appointed him, and the quotation establishes the divine source of his calling.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The meaning of Christ's not glorifying himself | Christ did not seize the honor of high priesthood on his own initiative; his humility and submission to the Father's will are evident. | Some stress the contrast with human ambition, while others focus on the legal necessity of a divine call to validate the priesthood. |
| The significance of the quotation from Psalm 2:7 | The quotation establishes that the Father himself appointed Jesus to the priesthood. | One view sees the quotation as pointing primarily to Christ's eternal Sonship as the basis of his priestly qualification. Another views it as a reference to the resurrection/exaltation, when Jesus was publicly declared Son (Acts 13:33) and installed as priest. |
| How Sonship relates to priesthood | Christ's Sonship is the foundation of his fitness for the priestly office. | Whether the priesthood is inherent to the Sonship or is a separate appointment given by the Father to the Son at a specific point in redemptive history. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The Levitical priesthood rested on two pillars: Aaronic descent and divine call. Only a descendant of Aaron could serve as high priest, and even he had to be called by God (Exodus 28:1). Hebrews 5:4 makes this explicit: 'Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by God, just like Aaron was.' The problem for the writer is that Jesus was from the tribe of Judah, not Levi (Hebrews 7:14). To defend Jesus' legitimacy as high priest, the writer shows that God called him in a different but even more direct way, through a prophetic declaration.
The quotation of Psalm 2:7 places Jesus squarely within a messianic tradition. In first-century Judaism, Psalm 2 was understood as a coronation psalm for the Davidic king, and later as a prophecy of the Messiah. The phrase 'today I have become your father' was not read as a literal beginning of existence, but as a legal or covenantal declaration: the king was 'begotten' as God's son on the day of his enthronement. The writer of Hebrews applies this language to Jesus' appointment as high priest. Gill points out that the words 'are not to be considered as constitutive of Christ's priesthood, but as descriptive of the person who called him.' That is, the Father who called him is the same Father who declared him Son. Matthew Henry connects this to the incarnation and resurrection: 'At the day of his incarnation, but eminently at the day of his resurrection, was he declared and published to be his only begotten Son with power.'
The historical background also includes the contrast with the many high priests of the old covenant, who served temporarily and were limited by death. Jesus, as the eternal Son, holds a priesthood that cannot pass to another (Clarke). This verse thus sets the stage for the argument that Christ's priesthood follows the order of Melchizedek (v. 6).
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for this verse.
Reception History
Early Christian writers used Hebrews 5:5 to affirm that Christ's priesthood was of divine origin, not self-appointed. The verse was cited in debates against those who denied Jesus' full divinity or his unique mediatorial role. During the Reformation, Calvin and other Protestant commentators emphasized the sufficiency of Christ's priesthood, arguing that human priestly systems cannot replace or succeed it. In the Wesleyan tradition, Adam Clarke stressed that Christ can have no vicars on earth. Across Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions, this verse has been read as highlighting both Christ's humility and his unique qualification as the eternal Son of God to serve as the one mediator between God and humanity.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Christ did not glorify himself. He did not seize honor or position. The Greek verb edoxasen (aorist active) underscores a decisive act of humility. Jesus refused to self-promote (cf. John 8:54).
- God the Father appointed him. The call came from outside himself, from the One who addressed him as Son. This appointment is grounded in the unique Father-Son relationship.
- Sonship qualifies him for priesthood. Because he is the Son, he can fulfill the priestly office perfectly, he knows the Father, he is without sin, and he lives forever.
Five-point outline
- The context: Every high priest must be called by God (Heb 5:4).
- The problem: Jesus had no Levitical ancestry to claim the office.
- The solution: God the Father directly called him as Son.
- The proof: Psalm 2:7 is quoted as a divine oracle; the Father's declaration is the call.
- The result: Christ's priesthood is of a higher order, eternal, not temporary.
Illustration hooks
- A person is offered a top job they never applied for; the honor comes from the one who appointed them, not from their own ambition. This reflects Christ's reception of the priesthood.
- In many cultures, a son inherits the father's duties. The son doesn't choose the role; the father entrusts it to him. Jesus, as the eternal Son, inherits the priestly role from the Father.
- Consider a skilled craftsman who refuses to boast about his work, letting the quality speak for itself. Christ did not seek glory; the Father glorified him.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does the writer of Hebrews go to such lengths to prove Jesus is a high priest?
- If Jesus was not from the tribe of Levi, how can he be a priest at all?
- What difference does it make that Jesus was appointed by God rather than by human tradition?
Leading a Discussion
This passage underlines a critical truth: Jesus did not seize the role of high priest; he was chosen for it by his Father. The writer proves this by quoting Scripture that ties Sonship to divine appointment. As you discuss, notice how the old priesthood serves as a backdrop for Christ's unique calling.
Discussion questions
- Observation: What does verse 5 say about who called Christ to be high priest?
- Observation: Compare this verse with verse 4. How is Christ's appointment both similar to and different from Aaron's?
- Interpretation: Why does the writer quote Psalm 2:7 here? What does the phrase 'today I have become your father' contribute to the argument?
- Interpretation: Some see 'today' as referring to Christ's eternal generation; others to his resurrection/exaltation. How does each view affect understanding of Christ's priesthood?
- Application: How does Christ's humility in not seeking glory challenge our own attitudes toward recognition and ambition?
- Application: In what ways can we trust Jesus as a high priest who was personally commissioned by God?
- Application: How does this verse strengthen our confidence that Jesus can completely save those who come to God through him?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Psalms 2:7 | I will tell of the decree: Yahweh said to me, “You are my son. Today I have become your father. |
| Micah 5:2 | But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come out to me who is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times. |
| John 3:16 | For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. |
| John 7:18 | He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory, but he who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. |
| John 8:54 | Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God. |
| Acts 13:33 | that God has fulfilled this to us, their children, in that he raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second psalm, ‘You are my Son. Today I have become your father.’ |
| Romans 8:3 | For what the law couldn’t do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, |
| Hebrews 1:1 | God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes focuses on Christ not intruding into the high priesthood but being called by God. Though Jesus was not from Aaron’s line, God’s declaration “Thou art my Son” served as a legitimate divine appointment to that office, proving Jesus did not exalt himself.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin insists the begetting in the Psalm is not about the eternal Father-Son relationship but about God's public testimony when He manifested Christ to humanity. This divine declaration appointed Christ as both King and Priest; He did not exalt Himself but was honored by the Father who called Him Son.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator highlights that the writer uses a stronger word for Christ's priesthood—"glory" rather than merely "honour." Christ did not take this glory upon Himself; God the Father conferred it, as shown by the Messianic prophecies that trace His Sonship and divine calling.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note stresses that Christ did not appoint himself to the office of high priest. God the Father conferred that honor directly, declaring Jesus his Son and so granting the priestly role. Christ's priesthood is therefore a divine appointment, not a human ambition.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill stresses that Christ did not seize the glory of the high
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB stresses that Christ did not take the priestly office on His own authority; the Father appointed Him. This appointment flows directly from Christ's eternal Sonship, which uniquely qualified Him for the priesthood. No one else could have fulfilled it because only the divine Son could serve in that role.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry emphasizes that a high priest must be taken from among men because sinful humanity cannot approach God directly. God therefore chose one from among us to serve as mediator, so that everyone who comes to God through this priest is welcomed with honor.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent observes that Christ did not take the glory of becoming high priest on his own; instead, God the Father bestowed it. He stresses that the words "You are my Son" directly connect Christ's sonship to his priestly calling. Christ's priesthood is therefore not an accidental role but an essential part of who he is as the Son.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley stresses that Christ did not seize the honor of high priest for himself; he received it from the Father, who declared him Son. The "this day" of the Father's declaration does not mean Christ was begotten at a point in time, for his divine generation is eternal.