Charles Ellicott Commentary Hebrews 10:11

"And every priest indeed standeth day by day ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, the which can never take away sins:" — Hebrews 10:11 (ASV)

The previous verse was one of transition. Naturally following from and completing the previous argument, it leads, with the words once for all, to a new thought, or rather prepares the way for returning to a subject that was given significant prominence in an earlier chapter. If the sanctifying work of the true High Priest has been accomplished once for all, such ministry no longer remains for Him (Hebrews 10:12–14). Here, then, the writer brings us back to Hebrews 8:1-2—to what he declared there to be the crowning point of all his words.

And every priest.—Some ancient manuscripts and versions read “high priest,” but the ordinary text is in all probability correct. (With the other reading, the work of the priests in their daily ministrations is ascribed to the high priest, whose representatives they were.) Until now, the thought has rested almost entirely on the ceremonial of the Day of Atonement; there is therefore new significance in the contrast between Jesus and every priest in all His ministrations. Regarding “standeth,” see the Note on Hebrews 8:1. The accumulation of words that point to the ceaseless repetition of the offerings of the law (Hebrews 10:1) is very noteworthy. The last words point to Hebrews 10:4.