Hebrews 8:3,4 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

For every high-priest, &c. As if the apostle had said, And it appears that Christ is a minister, or priest, of the true tabernacle, because he offers sacrifice, which none but the priests might do. Wherefore Greek, οθεν, whence; the whole force of this inference depends on this supposition that all the old typical institutions did represent what was really to be accomplished in Christ; it is of necessity that this man have somewhat to offer For whatever otherwise this glorious person might be, yet a high-priest he could not be, unless he had in his possession somewhat to offer in sacrifice to God, and that was his whole human nature, soul and body. For, or, rather, but, if he were on earth If his priesthood terminated here; he should, or, rather, could, not be a priest Consistently with the Jewish institutions; seeing that there are priests, other priests, that offer according to the law To whom alone this office is allotted. As if he had said, It appears further that Christ was a minister of the heavenly sanctuary, and was to execute his office in heaven; 1st, Because he did not execute it on earth. For though his priesthood may be considered as being in some sense begun on earth, by his offering the sacrifice of himself upon the cross, yet the continuance and consummation of all is in heaven, by his representing there the merit of his sacrifice, and his making continual intercession. 2d, Because there was a priesthood settled on earth already, and there could not be two orders of priesthood divinely appointed officiating on earth together.