Hebrews 5:3 says that a high priest had to offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as for the sins of the people. The point is that the priest was not above the need for mercy, so he stood among the people as one who needed the same forgiveness they did. The verse is written by the author of Hebrews, who was explaining to Jewish Christians why Jesus is a fitting high priest.
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 verse before it, where the author says the high priest is himself surrounded with weakness. Because he is weak and imperfect, he cannot offer sacrifice for others without also offering it for himself. The sacrifices were part of the ordinary work of atoning for sin, and the priest was included in the need they addressed.
The verse describes a duty, not a feeling. It tells us what the priest was required to do under the Law of Moses, and it explains why that requirement made sense. It does not say that every priest was personally holy, and it does not promise that sacrifice alone would change a person’s heart. It simply observes that priests were ordinary humans called into a sacred role.
The Context of Hebrews 5:3
Hebrews is an anonymous letter, traditionally attributed to Paul by some early readers, though most modern scholars think another writer composed it. It was written to a community of Jewish Christians who knew the temple system well and may have been tempted to drift back toward it. The author wants them to see that Jesus fulfills and surpasses the old priesthood.
Verses 1 and 2 set up the pattern: a high priest is taken from among men, appointed for men, and able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward because he shares their weakness. Verse 3 completes that thought by naming the priest’s own need for atonement. Verses 4 through 6 then turn to Christ, who was called by God rather than seizing the office for himself. That shift changes how verse 3 reads, because the author is preparing to show that Jesus can be a priest who is both compassionate and without sin.
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 shows the contrast with Hebrews 5:3: the earthly priest needed sacrifice for himself, while Jesus was able to sympathize with human weakness without being stained by it.
Hebrews 7:27
Who doesn’t need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices daily, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all, when he offered up himself.
(WEB)
This passage explains that Jesus did not need to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for the people’s. It completes the thought begun in Hebrews 5:3 by showing how Christ’s single offering answers the need that earthly priests could only address repeatedly.
A Short Prayer From Hebrews 5:3
Lord, you know how often I stand before others feeling more certain of my role than of my own heart. Remind me that I too am weak and in need of your mercy. Teach me to offer my failures to you honestly, so that I can serve others with patience rather than pride. Thank you that your mercy reaches the people I help and the person I see in the mirror. Keep me humble, and let grace shape the way I speak and act today. Amen.
