Hebrews · Chapter 4
Hebrews 4:15 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
Read this verse slowly. Let it settle before you move on.
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"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."
KJV · King James Version
"For1063 we have2192 not3756 an high priest749 which cannot3361 1410 be touched with the feeling4834 of our2257 infirmities769; but1161 was3985 in2596 all points3956 tempted3985 3987 like2596 as3665 we are, yet without5565 sin266."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses not, which, cannot, was, while the WEB renders these as don, who, can, one. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
Hebrews 4:15 in Hebrews 4
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Hebrews 4:15 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Hebrews 4. Read the full chapter →
- v.13 There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.
- v.14 Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession.
- v.15 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.
- v.16 Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need.
Book background
About the Book of Hebrews
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- General epistle
- Author
- Unknown (Paul, Apollos, and Barnabas have all been suggested)
- Date written
- c. 60–69 AD
- Audience
- Jewish Christians tempted to abandon Christ and return to Judaism
- Chapters
- 13
Hebrews argues for the absolute supremacy of Christ — superior to angels, Moses, the priesthood, and the entire Old Covenant sacrificial system. The High Priestly work of Christ is the book's central concept. Chapter 11 is the famous "Hall of Faith," and the closing call is "let us run with endurance the race set before us, looking to Jesus" (12:1-2).
Setting: Likely written before the destruction of the temple in 70 AD.
Key themes: supremacy of Christ · priesthood · faith · covenant · perseverance
Memorisation aid
How to memorise Hebrews 4:15
Hebrews 4:15 contains 32 words in 3 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities
FWDHAH
- 2
but one who has been in all points tempted like we are
BOWHBI
- 3
yet without sin.
YWS
Frequently asked
FAQ about Hebrews 4:15
What does Hebrews 4:15 say?
Hebrews 4:15 reads: "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." — from the New Testament, Hebrews (General epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is Hebrews 4:15 in?
Hebrews 4:15 is in the book of Hebrews, traditionally attributed to Unknown (Paul, Apollos, and Barnabas have all been suggested) and written around c. 60–69 AD. Hebrews is general epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to Jewish Christians tempted to abandon Christ and return to Judaism. Best known for the "Hall of Faith" (Hebrews 11) and Jesus as our great high priest.
What is the difference between Hebrews 4:15 in WEB and KJV?
Hebrews 4:15 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "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.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "For1063 we have2192 not3756 an high priest749 which cannot3361 1410 be touched with the feeling4834 of our2257 infirmities769; but1161 was3985 in2596 all points3956 tempted3985 3987 like2596 as3665 we are, yet without5565 sin266.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is Hebrews 4:15?
Hebrews 4:15 is 32 words in the WEB translation (162 characters), broken into 3 clauses. It is a longer verse, often broken into smaller phrases for memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 10 seconds.
How can I memorise Hebrews 4:15?
To memorise Hebrews 4:15, split it into its 3 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does Hebrews 4:15 matter in Hebrews?
Hebrews argues for the absolute supremacy of Christ — superior to angels, Moses, the priesthood, and the entire Old Covenant sacrificial system. The High Priestly work of Christ is the book's central concept. Chapter 11 is the famous "Hall of Faith," and the closing call is "let us run with endurance the race set before us, looking to Jesus" (12:1-2). Hebrews 4:15 sits within this larger story — Hebrews as a whole emphasises supremacy of Christ, priesthood, faith.
How can I apply Hebrews 4:15 today?
Many readers use Hebrews 4:15 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Hebrews 4:15 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
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John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
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Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
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Psalm 23:1
“Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
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Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a latter end.”
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Romans 8:28
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
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1 John 4:8
“He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.”
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1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not pr…”
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Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and no…”
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Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
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Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.”
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More featured verses in Hebrews 4
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Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow…”
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Hebrews 4:16
“Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need.”
Read context →
More featured verses in Hebrews
Browse Hebrews → Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.”
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Hebrews 6:19
“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil.”
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Hebrews 11:6
“Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.”
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Hebrews 12:2
“looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at th…”
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