Hebrews 13 20

Hebrews 13:20 kjv

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Hebrews 13:20 nkjv

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Hebrews 13:20 niv

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,

Hebrews 13:20 esv

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,

Hebrews 13:20 nlt

Now may the God of peace ?
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood ?

Hebrews 13 verses

Hebrews 13 20 Meaning

Hebrews 13:20 is the beginning of a powerful benediction, a blessing and prayer, offered by the author to the believing community. It presents God as the ultimate source of peace, demonstrating His power and faithfulness through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This resurrected Christ is identified as the "great Shepherd of the sheep," signifying His compassionate and authoritative leadership over His people. The verse emphasizes that this entire divine work—God's action, Christ's role, and the benefits for believers—is accomplished "through the blood of the everlasting covenant," underscoring the enduring efficacy of Christ's sacrificial death that inaugurates a new and eternal relationship between God and humanity.

Hebrews 13 20 Context

Hebrews 13:20 is situated at the conclusion of the Epistle to the Hebrews, serving as the opening of a powerful benediction. The preceding chapters (1-12) provided a detailed theological exposition on the supremacy of Christ as High Priest and His superior New Covenant, contrasting it with the Old Covenant and its sacrifices. The author urged the readers, many of whom were wavering under persecution or considering returning to Judaism, to remain steadfast in their faith, drawing near to God through Christ. Chapter 13 shifts to practical exhortations, encouraging brotherly love, hospitality, remembrance of leaders, maintaining marital purity, avoiding covetousness, enduring suffering with Christ, and rejecting strange doctrines. This benediction, therefore, serves as a concluding prayer and blessing, drawing together core theological truths presented throughout the letter to empower and strengthen the believers in light of these practical commands and the challenges they faced. It reassures them of God's faithfulness and Christ's accomplished work, upon which their steadfastness is grounded.

Hebrews 13 20 Word analysis

• Now may the God of peace (Ὁ δὲ Θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης – Ho de Theos tēs eirēnēs):
  • Ὁ (Ho): The definite article, pointing to a specific and known God.
  • δὲ (de): A particle often translated "but" or "and," here serving as a transitional marker to the beginning of the prayer/benediction.
  • Θεὸς (Theos): God. The singular, ultimate Deity.
  • τῆς εἰρήνης (tēs eirēnēs): "Of peace." The Greek word eirēnē (εἰρήνη) translates the Hebrew concept of shalom, encompassing not merely the absence of conflict but wholeness, well-being, health, prosperity, and spiritual tranquility. God is presented as the very source and author of this comprehensive peace, not just a God who gives peace, but whose very nature is peace. This is significant for a community experiencing distress and instability.
• who brought up (ἀναγαγών – anagagōn):
  • From anago, meaning "to bring up," "lead up," or "raise." This participle strongly emphasizes God's active agency in the resurrection of Jesus. It is not simply that Jesus rose, but that God brought Him up from the dead. This highlights God's sovereign power and His divine purpose in Christ's triumph over death.
• our Lord Jesus (τὸν Κύριον ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦν – ton Kyrion hēmōn Iēsoun):
  • τὸν Κύριον (ton Kyrion): "The Lord." A title acknowledging Jesus' supreme authority, sovereignty, and divine nature, equating Him with Yahweh of the Old Testament.
  • ἡμῶν (hēmōn): "Our." Signifies His relationship and ownership over believers.
  • Ἰησοῦν (Iēsoun): Jesus, His proper name, linking Him to His earthly ministry and identity.
• from the dead (ἐκ νεκρῶν – ek nekrōn):
  • ἐκ (ek): "Out from," emphasizing the complete separation and victory over the state of death.
  • νεκρῶν (nekrōn): "Dead ones," referring to the realm or state of the deceased. This signifies a real, bodily resurrection.
• that great Shepherd (τὸν ποιμένα… τὸν μέγαν – ton poimena... ton megan):
  • ποιμένα (poimena): "Shepherd." This title evokes rich Old Testament imagery (e.g., Ps 23, Isa 40:11, Ezek 34), where God himself or His appointed leader (like David) cares for His people. Jesus is consistently portrayed as the good (Jn 10:11), chief (1 Pet 5:4), and here, "great" shepherd, signifying His unique and supreme role as guide, protector, and sustainer of His flock. This title resonates deeply with the epistle's High Priestly theme, as the priest cares for God's people.
  • τὸν μέγαν (ton megan): "The great." This adjective elevates Jesus' shepherd role above any earthly counterpart, highlighting His matchless authority, compassion, and power in caring for His flock. It asserts His unparalleled greatness, a recurring theme in Hebrews.
• of the sheep (τῶν προβάτων – tōn probatōn):
  • Referring to believers as Christ's flock, implying their need for guidance, protection, and provision from their Shepherd.
• through the blood (ἐν αἵματι – en haimati):
  • ἐν (en): "In" or "by means of." Indicates the instrumental cause. Christ's shed blood is the very means, the medium, through which this mighty work of God (resurrection of the Shepherd, establishment of the covenant) is accomplished and becomes effective. It points directly to His atoning sacrifice.
  • αἵματι (haimati): "Blood." Represents Christ's sacrificial death. In the Old Testament, blood symbolized life given for atonement (Lev 17:11). The Epistle to the Hebrews extensively argues for the superior and permanent efficacy of Christ's blood over animal sacrifices.
• of the everlasting covenant (διαθήκης αἰωνίου – diathēkēs aiōniou):
  • διαθήκης (diathēkēs): "Covenant" or "testament." A binding agreement or solemn promise initiated by God, establishing a relationship and defining its terms. This refers to the New Covenant prophesied in Jer 31 and explained at length in Hebrews, superior to the old one because of its better promises and Christ's perfect sacrifice.
  • αἰωνίου (aiōniou): "Eternal" or "everlasting." Signifies that this covenant, unlike the Mosaic covenant, is permanent, indissoluble, and yields unending benefits. It ensures an enduring relationship with God for all who enter into it through Christ's blood.

Words-group analysis:

• God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead: This phrase presents God's power and character, linking His peaceful nature to His supreme act of raising Jesus. It asserts God's ultimate authority over life and death, and highlights the resurrection as the cornerstone of Christian faith and the foundation of the new covenant. The "God of peace" acts definitively against death, bringing about reconciliation.
• that great Shepherd of the sheep: This is a Christological statement, emphasizing Jesus' unique and preeminent role over His followers. "Great Shepherd" encompasses His anointing, divine authority, compassion, and eternal care, distinguishing Him from any earthly leader. It implies divine guidance, protection, and provision for His church.
• through the blood of the everlasting covenant: This crucial clause reveals the instrumental cause and foundational basis for God's redemptive work. The blood signifies Christ's sacrificial death as the price and means of reconciliation, cleansing, and entry into an eternal, unbreakable relationship (the New Covenant). It underscores the permanency and perfect efficacy of Christ's one-time sacrifice.

Hebrews 13 20 Bonus section

This benediction in Hebrews 13:20-21 is notable for several reasons. Firstly, its Christological richness compactly summarizes the book's core arguments about Jesus's supremacy and High Priesthood. It presents Him as simultaneously the subject of divine resurrection, the appointed Shepherd, and the basis of an eternal covenant—roles intimately connected to the theme of access to God. Secondly, the phrase "God of peace" is unique to this form in Hebrews but is consistent with Pauline benedictions, suggesting possible connections or shared theological traditions. Lastly, the sequence of the titles ("God of peace," "Lord Jesus," "Great Shepherd") beautifully encapsulates the journey of salvation from God's initiative, through Christ's redemptive work (death and resurrection), to His continuous pastoral care over His redeemed people, all made possible by the covenant established through His sacrifice.

Hebrews 13 20 Commentary

Hebrews 13:20 opens a pivotal benediction, distilling core theological truths of the entire epistle into a potent prayer. It establishes God as "the God of peace," indicating that genuine peace and holistic well-being (shalom) originate solely from Him. This peace is actualized through His most profound act of power: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. By "bringing up" Jesus from the dead, God irrevocably validated Christ's perfect sacrifice and confirmed His victory over sin and death, thereby laying the foundation for true peace and reconciliation.

Jesus is then powerfully identified as "that great Shepherd of the sheep." This title captures His dual role as a compassionate carer and a sovereign leader. As Shepherd, He intimately knows His flock, guides them, protects them from harm, and provides for their every need, mirroring ancient prophetic images of God's care for Israel and differentiating Him from any lesser guide. His "greatness" underscores His supreme authority and singular fitness for this eternal role, highlighting the ongoing, living leadership of Christ over His church.

Crucially, this entire salvific work – God's peaceful disposition, Christ's resurrection, and His continuing shepherding – is all accomplished "through the blood of the everlasting covenant." The blood signifies Christ's one-time, definitive, and perfectly effective atoning sacrifice on the cross. It is this shed blood that ratified the New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34), making it "everlasting" in contrast to the temporary Old Covenant sacrifices. The eternal nature of this covenant ensures that its benefits (forgiveness, reconciliation, access to God) are permanent and unchangeable. The benediction thus affirms that the believers' hope, peace, and security rest upon God's unchanging nature, Christ's decisive victory over death, His perpetual High Priesthood and Shepherd-care, and the eternal efficacy of His atoning blood, securing an unbreakable bond between God and His people.

Practical usage examples:

• For times of fear: Remember the God of peace is with you, through the resurrected Lord who guides like a Shepherd.
• For forgiveness: Trust in the "blood of the everlasting covenant" for permanent cleansing and access to God.
• For guidance: Look to Jesus, the "great Shepherd," for direction in decisions and life's paths.