Hebrews 7:20-28, TCENT “And none of this happened without an oath. Aaron’s descendants become priests without an oath, 21 but Jesus was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘Yoʋ are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’ ”
22 Accordingly, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant. 23 Now the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus continues forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 26 It was fitting for us to have such a high priest, one who is holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like the other high priests, to offer up daily sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son, who has been made perfect forever.”
V20 “And none of this happened without an oath. Aaron’s descendants become priests without an oath…” Jesus being chosen as High Priest came with an oath from God. Aaron descendants had no oath from God. God’s oath to the Lord Jesus is that HE and He alone would be High Priest forever. The Aaronic priesthood did not receive such an oath.
V21 “…but Jesus was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘Yoʋ are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’ ” God has conditional laws and unconditional laws and promises. Conditional laws are found in various places as Deuteronomy 28. If Israel obeyed, then blessings. If Israel disobeyed, then cursing. Also, see Genesis 2:16-17 (if Adam did not eat, then life. If Adam eat, then death). The promise to the Lord Jesus is unconditional and so guaranteed that God seals it with an oath and a purposeful statement that He will not change His mind.
V22 “Accordingly, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.” The Greek word for “guarantor” is (G1450) ἔγγυος éngyos, which means secured and reliable, that is, it is true and will always be. Jesus is proof. Since Jesus lives forever, than this covenant will be in force forever.
V23 “Now the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office…” One list shows that there were 42 High Priests from Aaron to Phinniah (67-70 AD). There was no Temple after 70 AD, so there is no one serving as High Priest now.
V24 “…but because Jesus continues forever, he has a permanent priesthood.” Jesus is eternal (Hebrews 13:8 and John 8:58).
V25 “Therefore he is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Since He and His ministry never end, those who in faith come to Him will have eternal life. The key word is “able.” Jesus has all the character traits of God–since He is God the Son–which makes Him fully capable. Also, see Jude 1:24-25. Note that Jesus is able. If He says He can, it is so. Compare Matthew 19:26, Luke 1:37, and Jeremiah 32:17. We need to come to God (the Father) through Him (Jesus). See Acts 4:12, Acts 15:11, and Isaiah 42:6 (see 1-10). Through Him as in asking Jesus and Jesus only if we can enter the kingdom of God.
V26 “It was fitting for us to have such a high priest, one who is holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.” Some character traits of our Savior and High Priest, Jesus Christ, include being 1) holy (without sin), 2) innocent (committed no crime), 3) undefiled (by any sin), 4) separated from sinners (never sinned), and 5) exalted above the heavens (glory and position as King of kings and Lord of lords). No other human has been, is, will be, or can be the one who has these character traits except for Jesus Christ.
V27 “He has no need, like the other high priests, to offer up daily sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all when he offered up himself” Only one sacrifice, not many as some Christians believe. Jesus never sinned, so He does not need to offer sacrifices for sin (Romans 6:10). His work is so complete that those who believe have all sins atoned for. The Aaronic priesthood needed both.
A few quotes:
Eclectic Notes: “In verse 27 is a brief exclusion of the shortcomings of earthly priesthood, leaving its full discussion to a later moment. Aaron and his successors needed day by day to offer up sacrifices, first for their own sins, then for the people’s —Christ once for all when He offered Himself, which is the clearest token of absolute sinlessness, and according to the worth of His person was infinitely effectual for others, as He needed nothing on His own part. This the previous verse demonstrated, if proof were asked, though it ought not to be. And the whole is clenched by verse 28: “For the law constituteth men high priests, having infirmity.” All here was imperfection. “But the word of the oath-swearing that was since the law [constituteth] a Son perfected for ever.”
Believer’s Bible Commentary:”Unlike the Levitical priests, our High Priest does not need to offer sacrifices daily; this He did once for all. He does not need to offer for His own sins because He is absolutely sinless. A third amazing way in which He differs from the former priests is that He offered up Himself for the sins of the people. The Priest gave Himself as the sacrifice. Wonderful, matchless grace of Jesus!”
V28 “For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son, who has been made perfect forever.” Weakness 1) because of physical limitations (they die), 2) because of sin, and 3) because of imperfect sacrifices (only temporary). Jesus is not only the perfect man, priest, offering, savior, etc. (vastly superior to the Mosaic system) but also the perfect sacrifice (without any blemish).