Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 4:13

"And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do." — Hebrews 4:13 (ASV)

The same truth is now expressed in different imagery. This time the impossibility of hiding anything from God is illustrated by the thought of nakedness. “Nothing in all creation” (or “no created being”) remains invisible to God. “Uncovered” (GK 1218) here means that all things are truly naked before God. “Laid bare” (GK 5548) is an unusual word, sometimes used of wrestlers who had a hold that involved gripping the neck and brought victory. So the term can mean “to prostrate” or “overthrow.” Most scholars, however, think a meaning like “exposed” is required. Yet it is not easy to see how this meaning is to be obtained. It has been suggested that the wrestler exposed the face or neck of his foe by his grip. While this may be so, it entails reading something into the situation. Another suggestion is the bending back of the head of a sacrificial victim to expose the throat. Unfortunately, no example of the word used in this way is attested. In the end we must probably remain unsatisfied. Clearly the author is saying that no one can keep anything hidden from God, but the metaphor by which he brings out this truth is not clear. The verse contains yet another difficulty, namely, the precise meaning of its closing words. The expression is used of accounting, and it seems likely that the translation “him to whom we must give account” is correct. Nothing is hidden from God, and in the end we must give account of ourselves to him. The combination makes a powerful reason for heeding the exhortation and entering into the rest by our obedience. IV. A Great High Priest (4:14–5:11) One of the major insights of this letter is that Jesus is our great High Priest. The author proceeds to reinforce his exhortation to enter the rest with a reminder of the character of our High Priest. Jesus is one with his people, and for them he offers the perfect sacrifice. This is seen largely in terms of the Day of Atonement ceremonies in which the role of the high priest (and not simply any priest) was central.