Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.

Our Apostle and High Priest

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.

Our Great High Priest

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession.

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 as we are, yet without sin.

Christ, a High Priest

For every high priest taken from among men is appointed in matters pertaining to God for the people, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.

In the same way, Christ did not exalt himself to become a high priest, but God who said to him, You are my Son; today I have become your Father,

also says in another place, You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

and he was declared by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because he has become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

The Greatness of Melchizedek

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham and blessed him as he returned from defeating the kings,

Without father, mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

The sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have a command according to the law to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers and sisters—though they have also descended from Abraham.

A Superior Priesthood

Now if perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the law), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be according to the order of Melchizedek and not according to the order of Aaron?

For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well.

Now it is evident that our Lord came from Judah, and Moses said nothing about that tribe concerning priests.

And this becomes clearer if another priest like Melchizedek appears,

who did not become a priest based on a legal regulation about physical descent but based on the power of an indestructible life.

For it has been testified: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

None of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,

but he became a priest with an oath made by the one who said to him: The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever.”

Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office.

But because he remains forever, he holds his priesthood permanently.

For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do—first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all time when he offered himself.

For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the promise of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son, who has been perfected forever.