Hebrews 6:20

My Notes

What Does Hebrews 6:20 Mean?

Hebrews 6:20 introduces a title for Jesus found nowhere else in Scripture: "forerunner" — the Greek prodromos, one who runs ahead, an advance scout sent before the main body arrives. "Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."

The forerunner concept is revolutionary. In the Old Testament system, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies alone — nobody followed. He went in on behalf of the people, but the people stayed outside. Jesus doesn't enter heaven as a solitary representative. He enters as a prodromos — a forerunner, which by definition means others are coming behind. The first runner's entrance guarantees the following runners' arrival. A forerunner who goes in alone isn't a forerunner. He's just a visitor. The title only works if others follow.

The connection to Melchizedek's order (not Aaron's) means Jesus' priesthood is permanent, not rotational. The Aaronic priests served in shifts and died. Jesus' priesthood is "for ever" (eis ton aiōna) — unending, uninterrupted, with no successor needed. The forerunner entered once, permanently, and holds the space open. He's not coming back out. He's in there now. And the reason He went in first is so that you could follow. The Holy of Holies has a door now. A human being went through it. And He left it open behind Him.

Reflection Questions

• 1.Jesus is the 'forerunner' — His entrance guarantees yours. How does this title change your confidence about your access to God's presence?
• 2.The Old Testament priest went in alone; Jesus went in and left the door open. How does the open access Jesus provides differ from the restricted access of the old covenant?
• 3.A forerunner by definition means others follow. Who or what has gone before you in your life — blazed a trail that made your path possible?
• 4.Jesus' priesthood is permanent — He doesn't rotate out. How does knowing He's permanently positioned in God's presence on your behalf affect your sense of spiritual security?

Devotional

Jesus is the forerunner. That's a title with a built-in promise: a forerunner means others are coming. He didn't enter heaven as a solitary visitor. He entered as the first of many — the advance scout who runs ahead to secure the destination so the rest of the team can follow. If Jesus is in, you're getting in. The forerunner's arrival guarantees the followers' arrival.

In the Old Testament, the high priest went into the Holy of Holies alone. The curtain closed behind him. Nobody followed. The people waited outside and hoped the priest survived the encounter. Jesus enters the heavenly Holy of Holies and leaves the door open. He doesn't close the curtain. He's not performing a solitary ritual that the people watch from a distance. He's running ahead to prepare the way for everyone who follows.

The forerunner is "made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." Not Aaron's order — which was temporary, rotational, mortal. Melchizedek's order — which is permanent, singular, unending. Jesus entered once and never leaves. There's no rotation. No successor. No expiration. The forerunner is permanently positioned in the Holy of Holies, permanently holding the space, permanently keeping the access open. If you've ever wondered whether you'll make it — whether the way into God's presence is truly open, whether someone like you can actually enter — the forerunner is your answer. He went first. He's still there. And the only reason He went first is so you could follow.

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture