New Testament · Letter

Hebrews 13

Love and Final Words

Keep loving strangers — some have entertained angels without knowing it. Jesus suffered outside the gate. Let us go to him, bearing his reproach.

King James Version BSB KJV

1Let brotherly love continue.

2Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

3Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

4Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

6So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

7Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

9Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

10We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

11For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

12Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

13Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

14For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

18Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

19But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

22And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

23Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

24Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

25Grace be with you all. Amen.

Understand This

Hebrews 13, explained

What Hebrews 13 is saying

The epistle concludes with practical exhortations covering hospitality, marriage, contentment, and respect for leaders. The theological grounding returns to the sacrificial motif: Jesus suffered 'outside the gate' to sanctify the people, and believers are called to go to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. The author describes Christian worship as a continuous sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips confessing His name. The letter closes with a benediction invoking the God of peace who raised Jesus, the great Shepherd.

The background behind it

The 'outside the camp' language draws on Leviticus 16:27, where sin offering remains were burned outside the Israelite camp. 'Outside the gate' locates Jesus' crucifixion outside Jerusalem's walls, connecting sacrificial typology to historical geography. The mention of Timothy and possible Italian connections have fueled ongoing debates about authorship and destination.

Themes running underneath

The camp/city dialectic is theologically rich: believers must leave the security of established religious structures to identify with the crucified Christ, looking for the 'city that is to come.' The closing benediction's reference to Jesus as 'great Shepherd' and the 'blood of the eternal covenant' recapitulates the epistle's major christological and covenantal themes.

Why it still matters

Following Christ may require leaving behind comfortable religious identities and social security. The 'sacrifice of praise' redefines worship as a whole-life orientation rather than a cultic act, sustained by the God who equips believers with everything good for doing His will.

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Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.