Hebrews 10:20

My Notes

What Does Hebrews 10:20 Mean?

The writer describes the access Christ has opened to God's presence: a "new and living way" through the veil—which is His flesh. The temple veil that once separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple has been replaced by Christ's body. The barrier is now a doorway. The separation is now access. And the access is both new (prosphaton—freshly killed, recently made) and living (zōsan—alive, vital, not dead).

The combination "new and living" is paradoxical: "new" (prosphaton) literally means "freshly slaughtered"—the word was used for recently killed sacrifices. The way is new because it was opened through death. But it's living because the one who died is alive. The sacrifice was real. The resurrection is real. And through both—death and life—the way to God was opened.

The identification of the veil with Christ's flesh means that when Jesus' body was torn on the cross, the way to God was ripped open. Matthew 27:51 records the temple veil being torn from top to bottom at the moment of Jesus' death. The physical veil and the physical body were torn simultaneously. One veil in the temple. One body on the cross. Both ripped open. Both providing access that didn't exist before.

Reflection Questions

• 1.If the veil was torn and the way is open, why do you still approach God as if there's a barrier between you?
• 2.The way is 'new' (opened by death) and 'living' (sustained by resurrection). Which dimension—the sacrifice or the life—do you connect with more?
• 3.The temple veil was torn from top to bottom—by God, not by humans. What does God-initiated access change about how you approach Him?
• 4.You have direct access through Christ's torn flesh. What would your prayer life look like if you truly believed the way was wide open?

Devotional

A new and living way. Through the veil. Which is His flesh. The barrier between you and God's presence was ripped open—not by your effort but by His body being torn. The veil and the flesh were torn at the same moment. And through the tearing, a way was made that didn't exist before.

The word 'new' literally means 'freshly slaughtered.' The way is new because it was opened through a killing—Christ's death on the cross. But it's also 'living'—because the one who was slaughtered is alive. The doorway to God was cut through a death and kept open by a resurrection. Both are necessary. Without the death, the veil stays intact. Without the resurrection, the way isn't living. Both together produce what neither could alone: permanent, vital, open access to God.

The temple veil was the most sacred barrier in Israel's worship—the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from everything else. Only the high priest could pass through it, once a year, with blood. Jesus' flesh replaced that veil. And when His flesh was torn, the veil was torn. Top to bottom. Permanently. The barrier that kept everyone out now lets everyone in. The way that was closed is open. And it's not a dead doorway—it's a living one. Alive with the life of the risen Christ.

You have access. Right now. Not through a curtain you can't pass. Through a body that was torn for you. The way is new—freshly opened by sacrifice. The way is living—kept open by resurrection. You don't need a priest to go in for you. You don't need blood you supply yourself. You walk through the torn veil that is Christ's flesh, and you enter the presence of God. Directly. Personally. Now.

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture