Can Some Never Come to Repentance Again (Hebrews 6:4–8 and 10:26)?

We are dealing here with Hebrews who confessed Jesus as Messiah and who fell back into Judaism, thereby “crucifying the Son of God again.” Once, Judaism had crucified the Messiah in ignorance, but through faith and water baptism these Hebrews had distanced themselves from that. If they were to return to Judaism, then in doing so they would crucify the Messiah again—but this time knowingly.

The destruction of the temple and the burning of Jerusalem would not be long in coming (“whose end is for burning,” “fierceness of fire”). The writer alludes to the drama that would take place in AD 70. The Lord was about to judge His people (10:31; 8:13). Who could bring these apostate Jews, who very consciously rejected the Gospel, to repentance again? Bringing them the Gospel made no sense, for that was precisely what they had rejected. These Jews literally had “no sacrifice left.” For the one true Sacrifice they no longer knew and acknowledged, while the sacrificial service in Jerusalem would soon be brought to an end.

The statements from these passages can only be understood within the framework of their historical context. The ultimate destination is not the issue here.

See also:

the setting of the letter to the Hebrews – part 1

the setting of the letter to the Hebrews – part 2

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