Berean BlueApp preview

Matthew Poole and continuators on Hebrews 5:2

Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Browse this work.

Hebrews5:2

2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant , and on them that are not out of the way , for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity .

The melting quality of the Typical High Priest is eminently to be fulfilled in the Gospel one; each is to have an Aptness, Disposition, and a Sufficiency of it by the Institution of God, for his Ministrations for manner as well as for matter, ch. 2.18. and 4.15. [non-Latin text not transcribed], strictly is to bear, suffer, or be affected in measure, or suffer moderately with the failings of others, in such a degree as is necessary to incline, as far as he is able, to succour, help and comfort those who are in misery: it notes Sympathy, ch. 2.18. Rom. 12.15. and a suffering with them, yet so regulated by the Divine Rule, as not to extend it unto unfit Subjects, nor in an undue Measure, lest it unfits him for ministring for them. But the great High-Priest excelleth in this, and is not bound to our measures, but sinlesly over-abounds in it, to such as sin for want of Knowledg of their Duty, unwittingly, and without any forecast, for which the Law provided a Sacrifice, Lev. 4.2. Num. 15.24, to 30.

[non-Latin text not transcribed] a Metaphor borrowed from Travellers gone out of their way; by which are understood such Sinners as are misled by Infirmity or violence of Temptation, and so offend God by their Opinions or Practices; for the Expiation of such were those Sacrifices appointed, Lev. ch. 5.6, 7. but then they were such as were sensible of their sins, confessed them, and begged for pardon, of whom the High-Priest was to be compassionate; but not of presumptuous and capital Sinners, who were unfit Subjects of God's Mercy or Man's: there being no Sacrifices provided for such, but they were to die without Mercy, Numb. 15.30, 31. comp. Exod. 22.14. God's Altar it self is no Protection to them, 1 King. 2.28, 31. Such sins of Infirmity which the Levitical High Priest was liable to himself, was he to be compassionate of.

For that he was beset with Infirmity, Sin, Ignorance, Error, and Disobedience; infirm in respect of Duty and Sacrifice, which was by reason of its weakness to be repeated yearly, chap. 10.1, 11. and of the same infirm Nature liable to the Griefs and Miseries of his Brethren both in Soul and Body. All these did surround and lie about him; he was Sin and Weakness all over, and therefore should be the more feeling of his Brethren's States, and more careful and ready to sacrifice and intercede for himself and them. But our great High-Priest hath all the sense of these, but no sin, ch. 4.15.

Marginal references: Or, can reasonably bear with.; Chap. 7.28.

Matthew Poole and continuators, Annotations upon the Holy Bible, Hebrews 5:2. Public domain.

Permanent link. Source edition.

Read Hebrews 5. Compare commentaries on this chapter.

Source and publication rights

Text Creation Partnership. Public domain; TCP unrestricted text and encoding. Source edition.

Berean Blue opens December 1, 2026. Explore this passage in the app preview.