Hebrews 4:15

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Cross-references

Hebrews 7:26 describes Jesus as 'holy, innocent, unstained' — the same sinlessness that qualifies him as the high priest who sympathizes without sin.

Hebrews 5:2 Parallel

Hebrews 5:2 explains that the high priest's own weakness enables compassion, directly supporting the statement about Jesus' sympathy here.

Hebrews 2:18 echoes that Jesus suffered when tempted, and therefore can help us — directly reinforcing his sympathy and ability to aid.

Hebrews 2:17 directly states Jesus had to be made like us in every respect to become a merciful high priest — the foundation for the sympathy described here.

Hebrews 9:11 describes Christ as high priest entering the heavenly tabernacle, complementing the sympathetic high priest of Hebrews 4:15.

Hebrews 2:14 explains Jesus partook of flesh and blood — the same full humanity that allows him to sympathize in Hebrews 4:15.

Hebrews 3:1 Parallel

Hebrews 3:1 calls Jesus the high priest of our confession — the same role detailed in Hebrews 4:15.

1 John 3:5 Parallel

1 John 3:5 states 'in him there is no sin,' reinforcing the truth that Jesus, though tempted, was without sin.

John 8:46 Parallel

In John 8:46, Jesus boldly asks who can convict him of sin — demonstrating the sinlessness that Hebrews 4:15 asserts of him.

Luke 4:2 Historical context

Luke 4:2 records Jesus being tempted by the devil for forty days — a concrete example of him being 'tempted in every respect' as stated here.

2 Corinthians 5:21 states Christ 'knew no sin' — reinforcing the sinlessness that allows him to be the perfect high priest who sympathizes yet is without sin.

Philippians 2:7 shows Jesus emptying himself to take human form — the basis for his ability to sympathize with our weaknesses as described here.

In Philippians 2:8, Jesus' obedience unto death exemplifies the 'tempted as we are yet without sin' — he faced the ultimate test and remained faithful.

Matthew 8:17 Prophetic fulfillment

Matthew 8:17 directly quotes Isaiah 53:4 as fulfilled in Jesus healing, confirming that Jesus indeed took our infirmities as Hebrews states.

1 Peter 2:22 affirms Christ's sinlessness — 'committed no sin' — directly echoing Hebrews 4:15's 'yet without sin'.

Isaiah 53:9 Prophetic fulfillment

Isaiah 53:9 prophesies the suffering servant's innocence — 'no deceit in his mouth' — pointing to the sinlessness of Jesus affirmed here.

Isaiah 53:5 Allusion

Isaiah 53:5 describes the sinless servant suffering for sins, complementing Hebrews 4:15's point that Jesus was tempted yet sinless.

Isaiah 53:4 Prophetic fulfillment

Isaiah 53:4 prophesies the Messiah bearing our griefs, which Hebrews 4:15 applies to Jesus' sympathetic priesthood.

Romans 8:34 Parallel

Romans 8:34 shows Christ interceding for us — a related priestly role to sympathizing with weaknesses in Hebrews 4:15.

Romans 7:21 Contrast

Romans 7:21 describes the law of sin present even when wanting to do good — contrasting with Christ who was tempted yet without sin.

John 14:30 Parallel

John 14:30 shows Jesus declaring the ruler of this world has no claim on him — directly echoing the sinlessness of Hebrews 4:15.

John 11:35 Parallel

John 11:35 records Jesus weeping, the ultimate expression of his empathetic identification with our sorrows and weaknesses.

John 11:33 Parallel

John 11:33 shows Jesus deeply moved and troubled at Mary's grief, a vivid example of his emotional sympathy with human pain.

Luke 7:13 Parallel

Luke 7:13 shows Jesus' compassion for a grieving widow, a concrete example of his sympathy with human sorrow.

John 8:29 Allusion

John 8:29 states Jesus always does what pleases the Father, confirming his sinlessness—the basis for his unique sympathy as a spotless high priest.

John 5:6 Parallel

John 5:6 shows Jesus noticing a man who had been ill for 38 years, demonstrating his attentive compassion toward long-term suffering.

Mark 1:41 Parallel

In Mark 1:41, Jesus' compassionate touch and healing of the leper show his deep sympathy for human suffering.

Isaiah 53:3 Allusion

Isaiah 53:3 portrays the suffering servant acquainted with grief, directly showing Christ's experience of sorrow that enables his sympathy with us.

Matthew 4:1 Parallel

Matthew 4:1 narrates Jesus being led into the wilderness to be tempted, directly demonstrating that he was tempted in every way as Hebrews states.

In Matthew 20:34, Jesus' compassion on the blind men demonstrates the sympathy he has for human weakness, directly supporting his ability to empathize.

In Matthew 26:42, Jesus' anguished prayer in Gethsemane reveals his struggle with temptation, yet his submission without sin.

Mark 1:13 Parallel

In Mark 1:13, Jesus is directly tempted by Satan in the wilderness, confirming he faced temptation just as we do.

John 4:6 Parallel

John 4:6 shows Jesus weary from travel, a clear instance of physical weakness that confirms his ability to sympathize with our tiredness.

Mark 6:34 Parallel

In Mark 6:34, Jesus' compassion for the shepherdless crowd illustrates his tender sympathy for people's needs.

Mark 8:2 Parallel

In Mark 8:2, Jesus' compassion for the hungry crowd shows his concern for physical needs, reinforcing his sympathetic nature.

Luke 1:35 Allusion

Luke 1:35 attributes Jesus' sinlessness to his conception by the Holy Spirit, explaining why he could be tempted yet without sin.

Luke 4:13 Allusion

Luke 4:13 shows the devil only left Jesus temporarily, indicating his temptation was ongoing—reinforcing that he was tempted in every way.

Luke 8:23 Parallel

Luke 8:23 depicts Jesus falling asleep, demonstrating his physical weakness and thus his ability to sympathize with our frailties.

Matthew 14:14 shows Jesus' compassion in healing the sick, reflecting the sympathy he has for our weaknesses as our high priest.

Matthew 9:36 shows Jesus' compassion for the harassed and helpless, illustrating his sympathy with human weakness — a key aspect of his high priesthood.

Mark 7:34 Parallel

In Mark 7:34, Jesus' deep sigh while healing shows his emotional involvement, reflecting his empathy for human pain.

Mark 4:38 Parallel

In Mark 4:38, Jesus' exhaustion and sleep demonstrate his human weakness, enabling him to sympathize with our physical frailty.

In Matthew 21:18, Jesus' hunger shows he experienced physical need, reinforcing that he was tempted in every human way.

Exodus 23:9 Parallel

Exodus 23:9 grounds empathy in shared experience—knowing the stranger's heart because you were strangers—paralleling Jesus' sympathy from shared temptation.

Matthew 8:16 shows Jesus healing the sick and casting out demons, demonstrating his compassion on human infirmities that Hebrews describes.

Isaiah 63:9 Typology

Isaiah 63:9 depicts God's empathy with Israel's affliction, prefiguring Christ's sympathetic high priest who shares our weaknesses.

Luke 22:28 Parallel

In Luke 22:28, Jesus refers to his own 'trials' — confirming he endured difficulties, aligning with the temptations mentioned here.