Hebrews 10:7 — “Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, my God.’”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse gives us a powerful glimpse into the heart and mission of Jesus. It’s a declaration of obedience and purpose. Jesus is saying, “I’m here. I know why I came. I’ve come to do what You, Father, have planned for me.” This isn’t just someone volunteering—it’s the Son of God stepping into history with full knowledge of what He came to do.
The words “it is written about me in the scroll” show that Jesus didn’t come by accident. His mission had been planned and promised long before He was born. The “scroll” refers to Scripture, pointing back to how the Old Testament foreshadowed and prophesied His coming. And His goal? “To do your will, my God.” That will was to bring salvation through His own life and sacrifice.
This verse shows us Jesus‘ heart of submission, His sense of calling, and His obedience to the Father’s plan.
Historical Context
The writer of Hebrews is quoting from Psalm 40 again. In that Psalm, David expresses a heart of obedience and devotion to God, saying that God desires a willing heart more than ritual sacrifice. Hebrews takes that passage and applies it directly to Jesus, showing that Jesus fulfilled those words in the most complete way possible.
In the bigger context of the first-century Jewish world, many were still tied to temple worship and the sacrificial system. The book of Hebrews was written to encourage Jewish believers to see that Jesus wasn’t just a teacher or prophet—He was the fulfillment of everything the Scriptures had promised.
This verse is part of the argument that Jesus came to bring something better than the old system. He came to do the Father’s will perfectly—and that will included laying down His life.
Theological Implications
This verse helps us see that salvation wasn’t a Plan B. Jesus came to fulfill God’s will from the very beginning. The plan of redemption was written into the story long before Jesus ever entered the world in human form.
It also shows us what true obedience looks like. Jesus didn’t just talk about surrender—He lived it. He didn’t come to offer sacrifices, but to be the sacrifice. His obedience was not just outward; it was full and heartfelt.
This verse also confirms the trustworthiness of Scripture. The scrolls had already foretold what Jesus would do. His coming fulfilled the promises of God.
Literary Analysis
This verse follows a pattern set up by the previous verses (especially 5 and 6), where the writer shows what God didn’t desire—animal sacrifices—and then shows what God does desire: obedience to His will.
The phrase “Here I am” is powerful. It’s a statement of presence, availability, and readiness. The poetic reference to the “scroll” adds depth, reminding the reader that Jesus is the central figure of the entire biblical story. The progression of the quote builds to the climax—“I have come to do your will, my God.” That is the heart of the gospel.
Biblical Cross-References
- Psalm 40:7-8 – “Then I said, ‘Here I am, I have come… I desire to do your will, my God.’”
- John 4:34 – “My food… is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”
- John 6:38 – “I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”
- Philippians 2:8 – “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
- Isaiah 53:10 – “Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer.”
Each of these passages shows how Jesus came with a mission, a purpose, and a willingness to do exactly what the Father had planned.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For followers of Jesus today, this verse is both comforting and challenging. It reminds us that Jesus came with purpose—to do the will of God—and that purpose was to save us. We can trust Him completely because He walked in obedience all the way to the cross.
It’s also a model for how we should live. Like Jesus, we are called to say, “Here I am… I’ve come to do Your will.” Our lives are not about impressing God with actions, but about surrendering our hearts to Him. Obedience isn’t about rule-following—it’s about love and trust.
This verse reminds us that we are part of a bigger story—God’s story—and He has a will for our lives, too.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God didn’t demand that we find our own way to Him. He sent His own Son with a body, a mission, and a plan. That’s love.
This verse shows that God’s love was expressed not only in sending Jesus, but in preparing a plan that was good, right, and rooted in His desire to save us. Jesus saying, “I have come to do your will” is a reflection of the heart of the Father—who willed to save, forgive, and bring us back to Himself.
Love is seen in the planning, in the sending, and in the obedience of Christ.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse is about Jesus. He is the one speaking these words as He enters the world. His obedience is at the center of the gospel. Jesus didn’t come to patch up the old system—He came to replace it with something complete and final.
- Hebrews 10:9-10 – “Then he said, ‘Here I am, I have come to do your will.’ He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy…”
- Luke 22:42 – “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
- Romans 5:19 – “Through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.”
Jesus‘ obedience wasn’t easy—but it was perfect. And through that obedience, we receive grace.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does it mean to you that Jesus came with the specific purpose of doing God’s will?
- How can this verse help you trust God’s plan for your own life?
- Are there areas where you’re resisting God’s will instead of saying, “Here I am”?
- How can you grow in the kind of obedience Jesus modeled?
- What comfort does it bring to know that Jesus fulfilled what was written about Him in Scripture?