Hebrews – Chapter 3

New Testament19 Verses

1Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly vocation consider the apostle and high priest of our confession, Jesus:

2Who is faithful to him that made him, as was also Moses in all his house.

3For this man was counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, by so much as he that hath built the house hath greater honour than the house.

4For every house is built by some man: but he that created all things is God.

5And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be said:

6But Christ, as the Son in his own house: which house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and glory of hope unto the end.

7Wherefore, as the Holy Ghost saith: To-day if you shall hear his voice,

8Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the desert,

9Where your fathers tempted me, proved and saw my works,

10Forty years: for which cause I was offended with this generation, and I said: They always err in heart. And they have not known my ways.

11As I have sworn in my wrath: If they shall enter into my rest.

12Take heed, brethren, lest perhaps there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, to depart from the living God.

13But exhort one another every day, whilst it is called to day, that none of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

14For we are made partakers of Christ: yet so, if we hold the beginning of his substance firm unto the end.

15While it is said: To day, if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in that provocation.

16For some who heard did provoke: but not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.

17And with whom was he offended forty years? Was it not with them that sinned, whose carcasses were overthrown in the desert?

18And to whom did he swear, that they should not enter into his rest: but to them that were incredulous?

19And we see that they could not enter in, because of unbelief.

Reflection for Today

The message of Hebrews Chapter 3 unfolds within the broader narrative of Christ's superior priesthood and sacrifice. Catholic theology, drawing on Hebrews grounds Catholic teaching on Christ's priesthood (CIC 1544-1545), sees in this chapter a call to deeper faith. The principle that Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant guides our interpretation.

The Church Fathers, including St. Augustine, St. Jerome, and St. John Chrysostom, devoted themselves to explaining Scripture for the faithful. Their insights, preserved in the Church's Tradition, continue to illuminate our reading. The Catechism reminds us that "the Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures as she venerated the Body of the Lord" (CIC 103).

As you engage with this chapter, bring your questions, struggles, and hopes to the text. God's Word addresses the whole person—mind, heart, and will. Through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, we receive the grace to live what we read. May this chapter strengthen your faith and deepen your love for Christ and His Church.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Deepen your understanding with these related articles