Hebrews 5:5-6

Jesus, A Priest After the Order of Melchizedek

Unlike one who might usurp authority, Jesus did not assume any honors (Hebrews 5:5). Rather, God bestowed the honor upon Him when He raised Him from the dead. The quote from Psalms 2:7 has reference to God's raising up of Christ from the dead, as it does in other places, such as Acts 13:33. "Jesus, even though Messiah, did not glorify himself to be made a high priest (cf. John 8:54.) He did not come in His own name nor did he rely solely on His own testimony (John 5:43; John 5:31.)” (Lightfoot, p. 108).

Christ was a priest after the "order of Melchizedek". Melchizedek is mentioned in Genesis 14:18-20 and Psalms 110:4, which is the passage quoted in Hebrews 5:6. The scriptures do not record his parentage, birth, or death. Thus, he is used as a figurative representation of Christ and the facts surrounding Christ's priesthood. His order is superior to Aaron's since it is a figuratively eternal priesthood, while Aaron's lasted for but a time and was imperfect. Also, Melchizedek was a king and priest at the same time, which can easily be compared to Jesus who is our High Priest and head of the kingdom. It should be noted that Christ became priest upon his resurrection from the dead, much as he received other honors at that time (see comment verse 5). Aaron's priesthood was confirmed by a miracle. God consumed those who questioned Aaron's authority (Numbers 16:1-50) and, through Jude, warns those false teachers who might challenge Christ's authority (Judges 1:11).