ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Hebrews 12

Heb. 12:1 cloud of witnesses. The OT heroes of the faith in ch. 11. “Witnesses” may have a double meaning: (1) These OT heroes witnessed to their faith by their words and lives. (2) Like spectators watching an athletic contest in an arena, they may now be watching or “witnessing” believers’ lives. The imagery of being surrounded by these witnesses gives the sense that they are eagerly watching from heaven, and the image of running the race that is set before us might lead one further to think of an athletic race in a sports arena. However, nowhere else does the NT envisage saints in heaven watching saints on earth, nor does it ever encourage Christians to pray to these believers in heaven or to ask for their prayers. Christ prays for his people (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25) and is the only mediator between them and God (1 Tim. 2:5). The Holy Spirit helps their prayers (Rom. 8:26–27), and all Christians are priests with the right of direct access to God (Heb. 4:16; 10:22; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9). Lay aside pictures sin as a weight to be discarded. Otherwise it limits the athlete’s movement, getting in the way of his progress in the race. let us run. A metaphor also found in Paul (1 Cor. 9:24–27; 2 Tim. 4:7–8).

Heb. 12:2 founder. See note on 2:10. perfecter. Christ’s perfection leads to the perfection of his people. This will be realized fully on the last day (see note on 11:39–40). for the joy that was set before him endured. The promise of future reward and joy gave Jesus strength to suffer on the cross. despising the shame. Crucifixion was performed in public. It caused hours of pain for the victim. The whole event was intended to cause shame, not just death (see note on Matt. 27:35). at the right hand. See Heb. 1:3; 13; 8:1; 10:12.

Heb. 12:3 Consider him. Jesus (v. 2). Many of the readers could identify with the hostility shown to Jesus (see 10:32–34; 13:3), though on a lesser scale (12:4). weary or fainthearted. See v. 5.

Heb. 12:4 Not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood contrasts with Jesus’ endurance of the cross (v. 2).

Heb. 12:5–8 Verses 5–6 cite Prov. 3:11–12. Discipline was a common term for raising children through instruction, training, and correction.

Heb. 12:12–13 Using poetic language (perhaps drawn from Isaiah and Proverbs) the author encourages his readers to endure in the race they are running (see v. 1).

Heb. 12:14 peace with everyone. See Rom. 12:18–21; 14:19; 2 Cor. 13:11. Holiness is part of the faithful endurance that is encouraged throughout Hebrews.

Heb. 12:15 root of bitterness. An echo of Deut. 29:18, which describes one who turns away from God and pursues other gods. Bitterness and resentment are like a contagious poison that spreads to others.

Heb. 12:16–17 Esau is called unholy, probably for rejecting his birthright (Gen. 25:33–34). sexually immoral. Perhaps refers to Gen. 26:34–35; 28:6–8. afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. Esau later wanted the inheritance he had rejected (Gen. 25:33–34; 27:34–40). His story cautions the Christian community against rejecting the inheritance offered to believers (Heb. 6:4–6; 10:26–31; 12:25; on inheritance, see 1:14; 6:12; 9:15). no chance to repent. The author is not saying that Esau longed to repent but God refused to forgive him, for it can be seen from Peter’s denials and subsequent forgiveness that those who repent are always forgiven.

Heb. 12:18–21 Israel’s experience at Mount Sinai (especially Ex. 19:12–25; 20:18–21; Deut. 18:16) shows the Mosaic covenant’s greatness. Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” This is from Deut. 9:19. There Moses feared God might destroy Israel after their worship of the golden calf. The author may use this account to warn against similar idolatry (compare Heb. 12:15, 25–29).

Heb. 12:22 you have come to Mount Zion. This phrase draws on extensive OT imagery of a new Zion/Jerusalem (Ps. 2:6; 110:2; Isa. 62:6–12; see “city” in Heb. 11:10; 16; 13:14; see also Rev. 21:1–22:5). The author claims Christians have access, in the spiritual realm, into the heavenly Jerusalem. Therefore they participate in worship with innumerable angels (see Heb. 1:7; also Deut. 33:2; Dan. 7:10) and with the great “assembly” (Heb. 12:23) of believers who have died in faith and are already in God’s presence.

Heb. 12:23 assembly of the firstborn. “Firstborn” is plural in Greek. Jesus was previously called the firstborn Son (1:6). Here his followers are also granted an inheritance as if they were also firstborn sons (1:14; 2:10; 9:15; 12:5–8). enrolled. Refers to the book of life (Dan. 7:10; Phil. 4:3; Rev. 20:12–15) that lists Jesus’ true followers. judge of all. Compare Heb. 10:30–31. Spirits of the righteous refers to the saints of the old and new covenants. Here they are portrayed as holy and as personally made perfect. This was the goal of Christ’s work (10:14; 11:40), which will be completed at the final resurrection.

Heb. 12:24 mediator. See note on 9:15. sprinkled blood. See 9:11–14; 24–28; 10:19; 22; 29; 13:12; 20. Though Abel was innocent (Gen. 4:10–11), his blood does not remove sin. Only Jesus’ innocent blood brings forgiveness and atonement.

Heb. 12:25 They did not escape applies especially to the exodus generation (vv. 18–21, 26), who rejected the voice of the one who spoke (3:7–19; see also 4:2; 10:28–30). much less will we escape. Most commentators believe this refers to the danger of eternal judgment upon those who reject him who warns from heaven. Some have argued that such rejection of God can be committed by true believers, since “we” in the phrase “much less will we escape” includes the believing author. It seems best to understand the “we” as a reference to current church participants, some of whom may not have possessed true faith (see notes on 10:26–27; 10:28–29). Another view is that the warnings are addressed to true believers and that the warnings are the means that God uses to keep his own from committing apostasy and to challenge believers to persevere in their faith (see note on 6:4–8).

Heb. 12:26–27 At that time. At Mount Sinai (v. 19).

Heb. 12:28–29 Acceptable worship includes showing reverence and awe for God’s holiness. It also includes respecting God as a king and a judge to whom alone worship is due (see the context of Deut. 4:24, quoted here).