• Hebrews 13:20
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 20 Ὁ The δὲ but θεὸς God τῆς of the εἰρήνης, peace, ὁ the (one) ἀναγαγὼν having led up ἐκ out of νεκρῶν dead (ones) τὸν the ποιμένα shepherd τῶν of the προβάτων sheep τὸν the μέγαν great (one) ἐν in αἵματι blood διαθήκης of covenant αἰωνίου, everlasting, τὸν the κύριον Lord ἡμῶν of us Ἰησοῦν, Jesus,

  • Hebrews 13:20
    King James Version

    • 20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

  • Hebrews Study Notes—Chapter 13
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 13:20

      the great shepherd of the sheep: The Scriptures often speak of Jesus as a shepherd. (Joh 10:11, 16; 1Pe 5:4) Here the apostle may be alluding to Isa 63:11 as rendered in the Septuagint, where Moses is called “the shepherd of the sheep.” Under God’s direction, Moses as a faithful shepherd brought God’s people out of Egyptian slavery and led them “just like a flock” through the wilderness. (Ps 77:20; Ac 7:36) And in his role as mediator, Moses made the Law covenant operative by the sacrifice of animals. (Ex 24:3, 6, 7; Heb 9:19 and study note, 20) But Paul calls Jesus “the great shepherd.” Christ sacrificed his life for God’s sheep, and upon his resurrection, the value of his shed blood was used to validate the superior new covenant, of which he is the Mediator. (Mt 26:28; Lu 22:20; Heb 8:6; 9:15; see study note on the blood of an everlasting covenant in this verse.) Having provided the sacrifice needed for salvation, he leads God’s people out of bondage to sin and death​—a kind of slavery far worse than the one the Israelites suffered in Egypt. Jesus showed the greatest possible loving concern for Jehovah’s sheep, and he had the means of delivering them completely. Thus, Jesus is without a doubt the superior shepherd. This is a fitting conclusion to a theme that Paul develops throughout the letter: Jesus is far superior not only to Moses but also to Abraham, Melchizedek, Aaron, Joshua, and any other servant of God.​—Heb 3:3; 4:8; 7:7-11.

      the blood of an everlasting covenant: The new covenant was validated, or made legally binding, when the resurrected Jesus presented the value of his shed blood to his Father and Jehovah accepted it. (Lu 22:20 and study note; Heb 12:24; see also Glossary, “Covenant.”) In contrast with the Law covenant, which was temporary (Heb 8:6, 7, 13; 9:15), the new covenant is “an everlasting covenant”; it will never be replaced. Also, the accomplishments of this covenant are permanent, and those benefiting from it will continue to do so forever. Thus, the new covenant has an everlasting place in Jehovah’s “eternal purpose.”​—Eph 3:11 and study note.