Charles Ellicott Commentary Hebrews 9:24

"For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us:" — Hebrews 9:24 (ASV)

For Christ is not entered.—Better, For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with hands, of like pattern to the true (or, real) holy place. In the second part of Hebrews 9:23, the two thoughts were the “heavenly things themselves” and “better sacrifices.” Of these, the first is taken up here; the second in Hebrews 9:25-26. That verse was general: this sets forth the actual fact. “For the sanctuary into which Christ entered is not a copy or a token of the things in the heavens, but heaven itself.” “Of like pattern,” see Hebrews 8:5; “the true,” see Hebrews 8:2; “into heaven itself,” see Hebrews 8:1.

Now to appear in the presence of God for US.—Better, now to be made manifest before the face of God for us. We cannot doubt that these words continue the contrast between the true High Priest and the high priest on earth. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest came before what was but a symbol of the Divine Presence; he caused the Holiest Place to be filled with the smoke of the incense before he entered with the blood of the offering. He did not dare to delay his return, even by prolonging his prayer, lest he should “excite terror in Israel.” In the heavenly sanctuary, the High Priest is made manifest before the face of God. .

Three different words in these verses (Hebrews 9:24; Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 9:28) are in the Authorized Version rendered by the same word “appear”: “to make manifest,” “to manifest,” “to appear,” may serve as renderings that keep in mind the difference of the words. The form of the Greek verb might seem to imply a single appearance only; by the added word “now,” the writer corrects, or rather enlarges, the thought, and shows that the true meaning is a manifestation that is both one and unceasing. With emphasis, he places at the end the words that indicate “the people” whose High Priest He has become. As in Hebrews 8:1 his language was, we have such a High Priest, and in Hebrews 9:14, shall purge our conscience; so here, it is on our behalf that Christ is manifested to God.