What does it mean that Jesus’ sacrifice was once for all (Hebrews 7:27)?

Answer

Hebrews 7 illustrates that Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses and is superior to it. Because Jesus is greater, it only makes sense that we should follow Him. One way that Jesus is superior is that His sacrifice was once for all, as stated in (Hebrews 7:27).

The Law of Moses required priests to make regular sacrifices for the people and themselves (e.g., Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 9:7). These sacrifices included guilt offerings, sin offerings, and atonement offerings. The Levitical priests, who came from the tribe of Levi, were fully occupied with these sacrifices and did not have time for other work. However, their sacrifices only provided temporary cover for the people’s sins.

In contrast, Jesus’ sacrifice was once for all, as mentioned in (Hebrews 7:27). Jesus, though not from the tribe of Levi but from Judah, also served as a high priest. His high priesthood was unique as He was described as “holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.” «For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, sep…»Apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens; », (Hebrews 7:26, NASB). Being sinless, He did not need to offer sacrifices for His own wrongdoing. He had no debt for any sin and could present Himself as a substitute sacrifice for those who did owe God a debt for their sin. The Levitical high priests had to offer sacrifices daily for their sins and the sins of the people. Jesus did not have to do that. He offered Himself once as a sacrifice and thereby paid for all the sins of all the people—He did this “once for all when He offered Himself” «who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. », (Hebrews 7:27).

The author of Hebrews goes so far as to say that the high priests were “weak” «For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.», (Hebrews 7:28) due to their own sin, their personal need for sacrifices, and the temporary nature of the sacrifices they offered. In contrast, Jesus was “perfect,” having no sin and thus no personal need for sacrifices, and the sacrifice He made was a one-time event on the cross. Through that singular sacrifice, Jesus atoned for the sin of all humanity. As John expresses it, Jesus is the propitiation (or satisfaction) for the sins of the entire world «and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our’s only, but also for the sins of the whole world. », (1 John 2:2). This indicates that the price Jesus paid was enough to settle the debt owed. Jesus’ deathH was a sufficient sacrifice to cover once and for all the sins of everyone. John also explains that Jesus’ sacrifice had to be applied to each individual—by believing in Jesus, each person would have life in His name “but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (John 20:31).

Jesus’ sacrifice was once for all “who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.” (Hebrews 7:27), and rather than go to a priest who would make a temporary sacrifice for our sin, we are told to simply believe (or trust) in Christ as the One who has resolved the sin issue on our behalf and provided for our forgiveness and new life.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:8–10 that we have been saved by grace through faith, and that salvation is not of our own works or efforts, but it is a gift of God. Because of this, no one can boast in themselves—instead, we should give Him thanks and exalt Him. In saving us He gave us new life and provided us a path to fulfill our design. This was all only made possible because Jesus’ sacrifice was once for all “who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.” (Hebrews 7:27). Because of His sacrifice, we can have peace with God and are no longer subject to His wrath; instead, we are children who are beloved by our heavenly Father.