Hebrews 10 3

Hebrews 10:3 kjv

But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

Hebrews 10:3 nkjv

But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.

Hebrews 10:3 niv

But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins.

Hebrews 10:3 esv

But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.

Hebrews 10:3 nlt

But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year.

Hebrews 10 verses

Hebrews 10 3 Meaning

Hebrews 10:3 states that the Old Covenant sacrifices, particularly those offered annually, did not truly take away sins but rather served as a yearly "remembrance" of them. This means the rituals repeatedly brought to mind the presence and reality of sin, indicating that true and final atonement had not yet been achieved, thereby highlighting the inadequacy and temporary nature of the Mosaic sacrificial system.

Hebrews 10 3 Context

Hebrews 10:3 is a pivotal verse within a larger argument demonstrating the superiority and finality of Jesus Christ's sacrifice over the Old Covenant's sacrificial system. Chapters 9 and 10 of Hebrews focus heavily on contrasting the temporary, imperfect nature of the Law's rituals with the permanent, perfect work of Christ. Verse 1 of chapter 10 asserts that the Law's sacrifices were merely a "shadow" of future realities. Verse 2 explains that if those sacrifices truly removed sin, they would have ceased, as the worshippers would have "no more consciousness of sins." Verse 3 then directly provides the reason they did not cease: "But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year." This verse immediately precedes the declarative statement in verse 4 that it is "impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins," setting the stage for the announcement of Christ's perfect sacrifice later in the chapter (v. 10-14) that accomplishes what the Law could not. The historical context is the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), an annual observance in Israel where the high priest made atonement for the nation's sins, vividly reminding everyone of their sinfulness. The original audience, primarily Jewish Christians, were prone to returning to these familiar practices, and the author emphasizes their inherent inability to achieve true forgiveness and perfection.

Hebrews 10 3 Word analysis

• "But" (ἀλλὰ - alla): This is a strong adversative conjunction, indicating a sharp contrast or opposition. It introduces a point that stands in direct opposition to the preceding idea. Here, it contrasts the implied efficacy (or desired outcome) of the sacrifices with their actual effect.
• "in those sacrifices" (ἐν αὐταῖς ταῖς θυσίαις - en autais tais thysiais): Refers specifically to the animal sacrifices prescribed under the Mosaic Law, especially those performed annually. The plural "sacrifices" emphasizes the repetition and ongoing nature of the Old Covenant ritual system, particularly the Day of Atonement.
• "there is a remembrance" (ἀνάμνησις - anamnēsis):
  • Meaning: This Greek word signifies "recollection," "a calling to mind," or "a memorial." It is not merely passive remembering but an active bringing back into conscious awareness.
  • Significance: Crucially, this remembrance is of sins. Unlike the remembrance of Christ's body and blood in the Lord's Supper (Lk 22:19; 1 Cor 11:24-25), which points to sin removed, this is a remembrance that sin remains or is recalled to memory, highlighting the unfinished nature of the atonement. It reveals the superficiality of the legal rituals.
• "again made of sins" (ἁμαρτιῶν - hamartiōn): The genitive plural of hamartia, meaning "sins," or "missing the mark." The phrase "again made" (implied by "every year") emphasizes the recurring nature of the remembrance. The remembrance is explicitly "of sins," meaning the annual rituals brought the people's sins—their failings and transgressions—acutely to mind once more, rather than making them disappear from their consciousness.
• "every year" (κατ᾽ ἐνιαυτόν - kat’ eniauton): This temporal phrase explicitly points to the annual cycle of the Old Testament liturgical calendar, most prominently the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This annual recurrence underscored the continuous reality of sin and the provisional nature of the atonement offered. The lack of finality in the yearly cycle contrasted sharply with the perfection promised by Christ’s one-time sacrifice.

Hebrews 10 3 Bonus section

The Day of Atonement, highlighted by the phrase "every year," involved the high priest entering the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the nation (Lev 16). During this process, he confessed the sins of the people over the scapegoat before it was sent into the wilderness (Lev 16:21-22), an action that would have created an acute, collective awareness and remembrance of sins among the community. This yearly reminder created a persistent sense of sinfulness and an unfulfilled need for definitive cleansing, serving as a powerful pedagogical tool from God that continuously pointed to the need for a future, perfect solution.

Hebrews 10 3 Commentary

Hebrews 10:3 succinctly exposes a fundamental deficiency of the Old Testament sacrificial system. Far from offering a perfect and complete cleansing, the annual offerings, especially those on the Day of Atonement, actually served as a profound and repeated reminder of the people's sins. The term "remembrance" (ἀνάμνησις) here carries a weight of negative association; it is a recalling of failure, of an outstanding debt, underscoring the ongoing spiritual burden rather than alleviating it. These rituals kept sin firmly in the worshippers' consciousness "every year," proving they were unable to provide true peace or a perfected conscience. This constant repetition highlighted the Law's preparatory role, signifying that a more ultimate and decisive atonement was yet required, a void which is perfectly filled by the unique and singular sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered himself once for all to truly remove sins, ensuring they are remembered no more (Heb 10:14, 17-18).