Hebrews 10:28 kjv
He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Hebrews 10:28 nkjv
Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Hebrews 10:28 niv
Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Hebrews 10:28 esv
Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
Hebrews 10:28 nlt
For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Hebrews 10 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 17:6 | At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. | Basis for judicial requirement of two or three witnesses under Mosaic Law. |
| Deut 19:15 | One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. | Reinforces the legal principle for capital offenses. |
| Num 15:30-31 | But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people... | Sins done "with a high hand" (presumptuous sins) received no atonement and merited death, exemplifying "without mercy." |
| Lev 24:16 | And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, he shall surely be put to death... | Example of a capital offense under the Law with no mercy. |
| Exod 21:12 | He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death. | Example of capital punishment for murder under the Law. |
| Exod 31:15 | ...whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. | Example of capital punishment for breaking Sabbath. |
| Lev 20:10 | And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. | Example of capital punishment for adultery. |
| Heb 2:2-3 | For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation... | Presents a similar "how much more" argument regarding the consequences of disregarding God's word. |
| Heb 10:26-27 | For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. | The immediate context, detailing the dire consequences of willful sin under the New Covenant. |
| Heb 10:29 | Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? | Directly applies the principle of v.28 to the superior consequences under the New Covenant. |
| Heb 10:30-31 | For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. | Underscores God's just vengeance and judgment for those who reject His grace. |
| Heb 12:25 | See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: | Another strong "how much more" argument comparing the severity of rejecting divine revelation in the Old vs. New Covenant. |
| 2 Cor 3:7-11 | But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious... how shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. | Contrasts the "ministration of death" (Mosaic Law) with the superior "ministration of the Spirit," highlighting the Law's inherent severity. |
| Rom 7:10 | And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. | Reflects how the Law, though good, exposes sin and leads to death for the unredeemed. |
| Rom 1:32 | Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. | General principle of sin deserving death as God's judgment. |
| 1 Pet 4:17 | For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? | Similar argument that judgment starts severely even with God's own, hinting at the greater severity for rebels. |
| Matt 10:28 | And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. | Emphasizes God's ultimate authority over eternal consequences, surpassing earthly death. |
| Jam 2:13 | For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. | While distinct, parallels "without mercy" with consequences for those lacking compassion. |
| Jud 1:5 | I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. | Reminds of God's severe judgment on unbelief and rebellion in the past, even among His own people. |
| Gal 3:19-22 | Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made... | The Law exposed transgression, pointing to its condemnatory nature for sin. |
| Heb 9:15-22 | And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament... and almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. | Emphasizes that blood-shedding (often unto death) was integral to covenant validation and purification, including judicial aspects of the Law. |
Hebrews 10 verses
Hebrews 10 28 Meaning
Hebrews 10:28 declares that under the Mosaic Law, anyone who deliberately rejected or violated it in a fundamental way, specifically acts deserving of capital punishment, would be put to death without the possibility of reprieve or compassion. This execution was to be carried out based on the sworn testimony of at least two or three witnesses, upholding a strict judicial principle. The verse serves as a rhetorical basis to argue that if rejection of the Old Covenant carried such severe consequences, the consequences of willfully spurning the superior New Covenant through Christ would be even graver.
Hebrews 10 28 Context
Hebrews chapter 10 continues the author's extensive argument on the superiority of Christ's New Covenant and His priestly sacrifice over the Old Covenant's sacrifices and Mosaic Law. The author has demonstrated that the Old Testament sacrifices were imperfect and temporary, needing to be offered repeatedly (Heb 10:1-4), whereas Christ's single sacrifice perfectly and eternally atones for sin (Heb 10:10-14). Having established Christ's once-for-all work and the better promises of the New Covenant (Heb 10:15-18), the author urges the readers to draw near to God with full assurance, to hold fast their confession, and to stimulate one another to love and good deeds (Heb 10:19-25).
Verse 28 introduces a solemn warning about apostasy and willful sin. It serves as an antithesis, using the well-understood severity of Mosaic Law infractions to underscore the much greater seriousness of rejecting Christ's perfect sacrifice and the Spirit of grace. The historical context is likely a period where Jewish Christians faced persecution, pressure to revert to Judaism, or simply grew weary and negligent in their faith. The warning addresses the ultimate consequence for those who willfully abandon Christ, moving beyond mere backsliding to an intentional, persistent, and unrepentant renunciation of faith, demonstrating that divine justice is inexorable.
Hebrews 10 28 Word analysis
- Anyone: Refers to any person, Jew or Gentile, within the context of the Law's application. The statement is universal within its framework.
- who has set aside: From Greek ἀθετήσας (athetēsas), an aorist active participle of ἀθετέω (atheteō). It signifies to nullify, reject, make void, set aside, despise, or repudiate. This is not passive failure or ignorant transgression, but an active, deliberate act of rejection or scorn for the Law's authority. It implies a high-handed, defiant sin (Num 15:30-31), rather than unintentional sin for which the Law often provided remedies.
- the Law of Moses: From Greek νόμον Μωϋσέως (nomon Mōyseōs). This refers to the Torah, the entire corpus of Mosaic legislation given at Sinai. It signifies the covenant stipulations that God established with Israel through Moses.
- dies: From Greek ἀποθνῄσκει (apothnēskei), present active indicative, indicating a certain, continuous, or repeated occurrence where such violation leads to death. It denotes literal, judicial death or capital punishment as prescribed by the Law.
- without mercy: From Greek χωρὶς οἰκτιρμῶν (chōris oiktirmōn). This means "apart from pity" or "without compassion." It underscores the absolute nature of the punishment for specific, deliberate offenses under the Law; there was no provision for a compassionate reprieve or lesser sentence for these transgressions. For instance, for deliberate murder, blasphemy, or adultery, the prescribed penalty was death, without the possibility of an offering or forgiveness that might be available for unintentional sins.
- on the testimony: From Greek μαρτυρίαις (martyriais), referring to sworn statements or evidence provided by witnesses in a legal proceeding.
- of two or three witnesses: From Greek δύο ἢ τρισὶν μάρτυσιν (dyo ē trisin martysin). This directly quotes the legal standard from Deut 17:6 and 19:15, essential for proving a capital offense in ancient Israel. It emphasizes that the death penalty was not to be imposed lightly but on corroborated evidence. This reflects God's justice even within the Law.
Words-group analysis:
- "Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses": This phrase delineates the specific type of transgression under consideration. It’s not about ritual infractions but a deliberate and fundamental rejection of the covenantal demands that had capital consequences, implying a direct repudiation of God’s authority. This phrase lays the foundation for a comparison with those who set aside the far superior New Covenant.
- "dies without mercy": This grim phrase highlights the finality and inflexibility of divine justice for certain grave sins under the Old Covenant. It emphasizes the lack of further appeal, forgiveness, or atoning sacrifice once these specific offenses were committed deliberately and with full knowledge. It sets up the severe nature of the comparison being made for New Covenant apostates.
- "on the testimony of two or three witnesses": This judicial criterion emphasizes due process and the gravity of the offenses warranting such a severe consequence. It demonstrates that the prescribed death was a just and verifiable penalty, not arbitrary, and points to the seriousness with which God viewed defiance against His established Law.
Hebrews 10 28 Bonus section
The emphasis on "without mercy" is crucial because it differentiates between certain types of sins under the Law. For many unintentional or less grievous sins, there were provisions for forgiveness through prescribed sacrifices (e.g., Lev 4, 5). However, for defiant, presumptuous, or high-handed sins (e.g., Num 15:30-31), particularly those listed as warranting "cutting off" or "surely be put to death," no such atoning sacrifice was available. This highlights the absolute judicial condemnation. The contrast with Christ is profound: His covenant is characterized by mercy, forgiveness, and new life. To turn away from Him, then, is to reject the ultimate source of mercy itself, leaving no further avenue for expiation. This implies a finality of condemnation even more absolute than that of the Old Covenant, because in Christ, ultimate grace has already been fully offered and scorned.
Hebrews 10 28 Commentary
Hebrews 10:28 serves as a forceful a fortiori (from the stronger) argument, often translated as "how much more." The author contrasts the judgment under the Old Covenant with that under the New. Under the Mosaic Law, specific, intentional, "high-handed" sins against fundamental statutes, such as blasphemy, deliberate Sabbath breaking, or murder, incurred the unmitigated penalty of death. There was no offering or compassionate allowance for such offenses; justice was administered swiftly and fatally based on confirmed evidence.
The logic proceeds: if the revelation given through Moses, though glorious, was a "ministry of death" (2 Cor 3:7) and prescribed such a severe, irreversible penalty for its violation, how infinitely more severe must be the judgment for deliberately trampling underfoot the Son of God, profaning the blood of the New Covenant by which one was sanctified, and insulting the Holy Spirit (Heb 10:29)? The verse sets a high standard of accountability under a lesser covenant to warn against far greater rebellion against the superior, Christ-mediated covenant. It is a sobering warning to Jewish Christians, or any believer, contemplating a return to old ways or a deliberate rejection of Christ, underscoring that the consequences of such a choice are infinitely more dire than anything experienced under the former dispensation. The gravity lies in the willful renunciation of truth and grace received, indicating a state beyond simple failure or weakness.