Charles Ellicott Commentary Hebrews 8:1

"Now in the things which we are saying the chief point [is this]: We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens," — Hebrews 8:1 (ASV)

Now of the things . . .—A better translation is, Now concerning the things of which we are speaking (literally, which are being said), this is the chief point. Opinion has been much divided regarding the meaning of the first Greek word—whether it should be understood as “summary” or as “chief point,” as each of these meanings is well supported by the usage of the language. The words connected with it, “concerning the things of which we are speaking,” would lead us to prefer the second rendering; and when the course of the argument is traced, we find it difficult to believe that the writer could express a summary of his thought in the words that follow.

Who is set.—A better translation is, who sat down. The words of Psalm 110:1 have been referred to Jesus in this way twice before (Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 1:13), but their full significance for the present subject has not yet been completely explained. When we read in Hebrews 7:26, such an high priest became us, we must look to what precedes for the explanation—'such a one' as has already been portrayed.

Here the case is different, and the meaning of “such” is found in the description that the following words contain. The last verse of Hebrews 7:0 united the two predictions that pointed to Jesus as Priest and King, and the same thought is contained here, expressed in language that immediately recalls Hebrews 1:3.

A later passage (Hebrews 10:11–12) will show that the words “sat down” have additional significance. This significance involves a contrast with the continuous and ever-incomplete services of those who “stood before God” in His earthly sanctuary. The next verse must be closely connected with this one. This is because the contrast just mentioned does not imply that He no longer “ministers” on behalf of humankind (Hebrews 9:24). On the contrary, it is as 'a minister' of the sanctuary that He sat down on the right hand of God.