Hebrews 5:3 says that a high priest had to offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as for the people. The writer uses this detail to show that a priest is chosen from among ordinary people and shares their weakness, which makes him able to deal gently with others. The verse is part of a short explanation of the Old Testament priesthood, written by the author of Hebrews to Jewish Christians who were tempted to drift back toward the old system.
Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself.
Hebrews 5:3 (WEB)
What Hebrews 5:3 Means
The phrase “because of this” points back to the previous verse, where the high priest is said to be “surrounded with weakness.” Because he is weak himself, he is required to bring sacrifices for his own sins before he brings them for anyone else. The law did not treat the priest as a sinless go-between. He stood in the same need as the people he served.
The verse explains what the priest does, not what he earns. It does not say that the sacrifices removed every sin or that the priest was guaranteed favor with God. It describes a pattern of repeated offerings, which the author will later contrast with the single offering of Christ. Hebrews 5:3 sets up that contrast by showing the limits of a human priest.
The Context of Hebrews 5:3
The letter to the Hebrews is anonymous, though early church tradition has often linked it with Paul, and most scholars today see it as a sermon or homily addressed to a community of Jewish believers facing pressure and possible return to their former religious practices. The author writes with deep familiarity with the tabernacle and the sacrificial system described in the Old Testament, and he uses that system as a way to present Jesus as greater than any earthly priest.
Just before verse 3, the author describes how a high priest is taken from among men and appointed to deal with God on behalf of people. Verses 4 through 6 then say that no one takes this honor for himself, and that Christ was called by God and named a priest in the line of Melchizedek. Read this way, Hebrews 5:3 is not a standalone rule about priests. It is the middle step in an argument that moves from the human priest’s weakness to the greater priesthood of Jesus.
Key Phrases in Hebrews 5:3
Hebrews 4:15
For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.
(WEB)
This verse says that Jesus was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. It pairs naturally with Hebrews 5:3 by showing that the weakness shared by human priests is something Jesus also knew, while still remaining the perfect high priest.
Leviticus 16:11
“Aaron shall present the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make atonement for himself and for his house, and shall kill the bull of the sin offering which is for himself.
(WEB)
This passage describes the Day of Atonement ritual in which Aaron offers a bull for himself and his household before doing anything else. It gives the practical background to the requirement mentioned in Hebrews 5:3 and shows how the pattern was carried out in Israel’s worship.
A Short Prayer From Hebrews 5:3
Lord, thank you that you know exactly what it means to be weak and that you do not treat me as beyond help. I bring you my own failures today, the things I have said and done that I wish I could take back. Help me to be honest about my need before you and gentle with others who are also struggling. Thank you that you have provided a high priest who understands our weakness and brings us near to you. Amen.
