HEB 4:15 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT For we do not have a high priest who is not able to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one having been tempted according to all things, according to our likeness, yet without sin.

UST Now the ruling priest who works for us can very well understand how weak we are. In fact, he experienced many times how doing what is wrong seems to be good, just like we do. However, he never sinned.

BLB For we do not have a high priest not being able to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one having been tempted in all things by the same way, without sin.

AICNT For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been {tempted}[fn] in every way, just as we are, yet without sin.

4:15, tempted: Later manuscripts read “tested.” BYZ TR

OEB Our high priest is not one unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who has in every way been tempted, exactly as we have been, but without sinning.

WEBBE 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.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin.

LSV for we do not have a Chief Priest unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but [One] tempted in all things in like manner, [yet] without sin;

FBV For the high priest we have isn't one who doesn't sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who was tempted in all the ways we are, but did not sin.

TCNT For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin.

T4T Our Supreme Priest can indeed [LIT] compassionately deal with us who tend to sin easily, because he also was tempted to sin in every way that we are tempted to sin, and yet he did not sin.

LEB For we do not have a high priest who is not able to sympathize with our weaknesses, but who has been tempted in all things in the same way, without sin.

BBE For we have not a high priest who is not able to be touched by the feelings of our feeble flesh; but we have one who has been tested in all points as we ourselves are tested, but without sin.

Moff for ours is no high priest who is incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every respect like ourselves, yet without sinning.

Wymth For we have not a High Priest who is unable to feel for us in our weaknesses, but one who was tempted in every respect just as we are tempted, and yet did not sin.

ASV For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

DRA For we have not a high priest, who can not have compassion on our infirmities: but one tempted in all things like as we are, without sin.

YLT for we have not a chief priest unable to sympathise with our infirmities, but [one] tempted in all things in like manner — apart from sin;

Drby For we have not a high priest not able to sympathise with our infirmities, but tempted in all things in like manner, sin apart.

RV For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
(For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath/has been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. )

SLT For we have not a chief priest unable to suffer with our weaknesses; but tried in all things as a resemblance, without sin.

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

KJB-1769 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.

KJB-1611 For wee haue not an high Priest which cannot bee touched with the feeling of our infirmities: but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sinne.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation)

Bshps For we haue not an hye priest whiche can not be touched with the feelyng of our infirmities: but was in all poyntes tempted lyke as we are, and yet without sinne.
(For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities: but was in all pointes tempted like as we are, and yet without sin.)

Gnva For we haue not an hie Priest, which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all things tempted in like sort, yet without sinne.
(For we have not an high Priest, which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all things tempted in like sort, yet without sin. )

Cvdl For we haue not an hye prest which ca not haue copassion on or infirmities, but was in all poyntes tepted, like as we are, but without synne.
(For we have not an high priest which can not have compassion on or infirmities, but was in all pointes tepted, like as we are, but without sin.)

TNT For we have not an hye prest which can not have compassion on oure infirmities: but was in all poyntes tempted lyke as we are: but yet with out synne.
(For we have not an high priest which cannot have compassion on our infirmities: but was in all pointes tempted like as we are: but yet with out sin. )

Wycl For we han not a bischop, that may not haue compassioun on oure infirmytees, but was temptid bi alle thingis bi lycnesse, with oute synne.
(For we have not a bischop, that may not have compassion on our infirmytees, but was tempted by all things by lycness, without sin.)

Luth Denn wir haben nicht einen Hohenpriester, der nicht könnte Mitleid haben mit unserer Schwachheit, sondern der versucht ist allenthalben gleich wie wir, doch ohne Sünde.
(Because we/us have not a high_priest, the/of_the not could Mitleid have with ours weakness, rather the/of_the tried is everywhere even as/like we/us, though/but without sin(n).)

ClVg Non enim habemus pontificem qui non possit compati infirmitatibus nostris: tentatum autem per omnia pro similitudine absque peccato.[fn]
(Not/No because we_have the_priest who/which not/no can compati infirmitatibus ours: tentatum however through everything for likeness without sin. )

4.15 Non enim habemus, etc. Quasi: Teneamus et tenere debemus, quia, cum sit potens, est etiam misericors, nostram utpote expertus infirmitatem. Qui non possit, etc. Impossibile est scire afflictiones afflictorum, homini qui experimentum afflictionis non habuit et sensibiliter omnia non sustinuit. Christus vero scit non solum per hoc quod Deus, secundum quod omnia novit, sed per hoc quod homo et similia sustinuit.

4.15 Not/No because we_have, etc. Quasi: Teneamus and to_hold we_must, because, when/with be powerful, it_is also merciful, ours utpote expertus weakness. Who not/no can, etc. Impossibile it_is to_know afflictions afflictorum, to_man who/which experimentum of_affliction not/no had and sensibiliter everything not/no endured. Christ/Messiah indeed/however he_knows not/no only through this that God, after/second that everything he_knows, but through this that human and similar endured.

UGNT οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συνπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, πεπειρασμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθ’ ὁμοιότητα χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας.
(ou gar eⱪomen arⱪierea maʸ dunamenon sunpathaʸsai tais astheneiais haʸmōn, pepeirasmenon de kata panta kath’ homoiotaʸta ⱪōris hamartias.)

SBL-GNT οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, ⸀πεπειρασμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθʼ ὁμοιότητα χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας.
(ou gar eⱪomen arⱪierea maʸ dunamenon sumpathaʸsai tais astheneiais haʸmōn, ⸀pepeirasmenon de kata panta kathʼ homoiotaʸta ⱪōris hamartias.)

RP-GNT Οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, πεπειραμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθ' ὁμοιότητα, χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας.
(Ou gar eⱪomen arⱪierea maʸ dunamenon sumpathaʸsai tais astheneiais haʸmōn, pepeiramenon de kata panta kath' homoiotaʸta, ⱪōris hamartias.)

TC-GNT Οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον [fn]συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, [fn]πεπειραμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθ᾽ ὁμοιότητα, χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας.
(Ou gar eⱪomen arⱪierea maʸ dunamenon sumpathaʸsai tais astheneiais haʸmōn, pepeiramenon de kata panta kath homoiotaʸta, ⱪōris hamartias. )

4:15 συμπαθησαι ¦ συνπαθησαι TH WH

4:15 πεπειραμενον ¦ πεπειρασμενον CT SCR

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:14–16: So let’s be faithful to Jesus, our great high priest

This short section (4:14–16) has three main points:

It encourages the readers to continue to believe the truth about Jesus that they publicly accepted.
It repeats that Jesus is our high priest (see 2:17), and it describes what kind of priest he is.
It introduces the next section, which describes Jesus’ work as high priest.

Remember to translate the section before choosing a heading for it. Some other possible headings are:

Jesus Is the Great High Priest (CEV)

Jesus Our Compassionate High Priest (NET)

Christ Is Superior to Other Chief Priests (GW)

4:15a

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,

For our^(incl) high priest has compassion for us in our human weakness/temptations,
We^(incl) have a high priest who is able to help us when we are weak/tempted,

For: The word For introduces a basis for “holding firmly to our confession” of faith (4:14c). The author already gave one basis in 4:14a (We have a great high priest, Jesus the Son of God). He introduces the second basis here at the beginning of 4:15a.

In some languages it is more natural to introduce this second basis by referring back to the word “high priest” in 4:14. For example:

Our High Priest (GNT)

And this Highest Priest of oursKankanaey back translation on TW.

we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses: This statement indicates that our high priest is able to sympathize with us in our weaknesses. The two negative phrases do not have and unable (not able) emphasize the fact that our high priest is able to sympathize with us.

In some languages it is more natural to translate the statement without using two negative phrases. For example:

We have a chief priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. (GW)

And this Highest Priest of ours, he knows how to feel with us in our weaknessKankanaey back translation on TW.

Emphasize this statement in a natural way in your language.

sympathize with our weaknesses: The Greek word that the BSB translates as sympathize occurs only twice in the New Testament. It means to “suffer with” or “feel with” people. It implies the type of sympathy that motivates someone to offer active help.

The phrase sympathize with our weaknesses indicates that Jesus understands the ways that we are weak in resisting temptations to sin. He feels compassion for us. He is able to help us, and he offers us help.Koester (page 283) says, “Jesus sympathized with people by sharing their flesh and blood, suffering to deliver them…and offering help.” Other ways to translate this phrase are:

understands every weakness of ours (CEV)

feeling our weaknesses with us (NJB)

has compassion for us when we are weak/tempted

our weaknesses: The phrase our weaknesses refers to the ways that human beings are limited or inadequate. In this context it refers especially to being weak in resisting temptations to sin. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

our weakness because of our humanityWestern Bukidnon Manobo back translation on TW.

our weaknesses which lead us into sinTagbanwa back translation on TW.

the ways we^(incl) are not strong to refuse sin

4:15b

but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.

since he has been tempted in every way like us^(incl), but without sinning.
For he has been tempted with all kinds of temptation just as we^(incl) have, yet as for him, he did not sin.

but: The Greek connector that the BSB translates as but connects the clause in 4:15a with the one in 4:15b. These clauses have similar meanings, and 4:15b explains more about 4:15a. In some languages, a connector like but implies too much contrast in meaning between 4:15a and 4:15b.

If that is true in your language, some other ways to connect the clauses are:

Use a connector which indicates that 4:15b explains or adds to 4:15a. For example:
^15aThis High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, (NLT96)
^15b for he faced all of the same temptations that we do, yet he did not sin.
Do not use a connector. For example:
^15aWe have a high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. (GW)
^15bHe was tempted in every way that we are, but he didn’t sin.

Connect the two statements in a natural way in your language.

we have one who was tempted in every way that we are: The Greek word that the BSB translates as tempted can also mean “tested.” (See the note on 2:18a.) Scholars disagree about what it means here:

It means “tempted to sin.” For example:
he was tempted in every way that we are (CEV) (BSB, CEV, NLT96, RSV, GNT, NIV, NASB, ESV, NET, NCV, JBP, GW)
It means “tested.” For example:
in every respect has been tested as we are (NRSV) (NRSV, REB, NLT, NAB, NJB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most English versions and many Bible scholars. This interpretation fits the context of not sinning as a result of the temptation.

one who was tempted in every way that we are: This statement indicates that our high priest has been tempted in every way, just as every human being is tempted. That is the reason that Jesus, our high priest, is able to sympathize with our weaknesses.

The verb was tempted is passive, and the clause does not specify who tempted Jesus. Other verses in Scripture indicate that Satan tempted Jesus. Some ways to translate the passive clause are:

Keep the passive verb. For example:
he, too, has been urged to sin in all the ways that we are urged to sin
Use a different verb that does not require specifying the tempter. For example:
our high priest experienced/faced all the kinds of temptation that we experience/face
Use an active verb and refer to Satan as the tempter. For example:
Satan has tempted him in every way like he tempts us

Translate this clause in a natural way in your language.

in every way: The phrase in every way means that Jesus experienced all the same kinds of temptations that other people have. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

all of the same testings we do (NLT)

all the types of temptations that human beings face

that we are: The phrase that we are refers in general to human beings. (See the examples in the preceding note.) If you use a pronoun like we, it should refer to both the author and the readers.

yet was without sin: The clause yet was without sin is literally just without sin. It indicates that Jesus faced every temptation without sinning. The BSB adds the word yet, which is not in the Greek text. It makes explicit the contrast between Jesus and other human beings. Jesus did not sin when he was tempted, but every other human being has sinned.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

yet he did not sin (NLT96)

except that he never sinned (JBP)

but as for him by contrast, he absolutely didn’t sinKankanaey back translation on TW.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὒ Γάρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μή δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν πεπειρασμένον δέ κατά παντᾶ καθʼ ὁμοιότητα χωρίς ἁμαρτίας)

The word For introduces further explanation of how Jesus is a high priest. This information supports the author’s exhortation to “firmly hold” to the “confession” (See: [4:15](../04/15.md)). If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word that introduces support for an exhortation, or you could leave it untranslated. Alternate translation: [We should do that because]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / doublenegatives

οὐ & ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συνπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, πεπειρασμένον δὲ

The author uses two negative words to emphasize how much Jesus is able to sympathize with us as high priest. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea with a positive statement and emphasize it in another way. If you do this, you will need to translate but as a connection instead of a contrast. Alternate translation: [we indeed have a high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, one having been tempted]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν

˱with˲_the weaknesses ˱of˲_us

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of weaknesses, you could express the idea by using a an adjective such as “weak.” Alternate translation: [with the ways that we are weak]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

πεπειρασμένον δὲ

˓having_been˒_tempted (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὒ Γάρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μή δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν πεπειρασμένον δέ κατά παντᾶ καθʼ ὁμοιότητα χωρίς ἁμαρτίας)

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. If it would be helpful in your language, you could supply these words from the first half of the sentence. Alternate translation: [but we have one who has been tempted]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

πεπειρασμένον

˓having_been˒_tempted

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. The author uses the passive form here to focus on Jesus who was tempted rather than on the person or thing doing the tempting. If you must state who did the action, you could use an indefinite subject, since many things can tempt. Alternate translation: [one whom things tempted] or [one having experienced temptation]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ὁμοιότητα

likeness

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of likeness, you could express the idea by using a word such as “like” or “similar.” Alternate translation: [what we are like] or [the ways that all humans are similar]

χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας

Alternate translation: [but who did not sin]

Parallel HEB 4:15

Section 4:14–16: So let’s be faithful to Jesus, our great high priest

4:15a

4:15b