Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 12:22

"but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels," — Hebrews 12:22 (ASV)

“But” is a strong word that introduces a marked contrast. It is not a Sinai-type experience that has befallen Christians. They “have come” to Mount Zion. This is one of the hills on which the city of Jerusalem was built. It sometimes stands for that city (Matthew 21:5) and stands here, of course, for that city as the home of God’s people. It is also called “the heavenly Jerusalem” and “the city of the living God.” Elsewhere in the NT there is the thought of the Jerusalem above (Galatians 4:26, where again there is a contrast with Mount Sinai; cf. also Rev 3:12; 21:2, 10).

The author has already spoken of “the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (11:10). He is bringing out the thought of the ideal, heavenly city. His mention of “the living God” emphasizes that this city is no static affair; it is the city of a vital, dynamic, living Being, one who is doing things. For angels at Sinai, see Dt 33:2; the heavenly city is certainly not deficient on this score.

The expression “joyful assembly” (GK 4108) most likely belongs with angels rather than with the next verse. The word meant originally a national festive assembly to honor a god, then more generally any festal assembly.