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Hebrews 4 · a question people ask

"we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did" (4:2). Who are they?

In the text

Hebrews doesn't name them in 4:2. Near the end of chapter 3 the WEB has, "For who, when they heard, rebelled? Wasn’t it all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses?" (3:16), and the chapter ends, "We see that they weren’t able to enter in because of unbelief." (3:19). Four verses after 4:2 the letter says, "they to whom the good news was preached before failed to enter in because of disobedience" (4:6). These notes say no more of them than these verses.

The verses

“For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard didn’t profit them, because it wasn’t mixed with faith by those who heard.”
Hebrews 4:2 · World English Bible
“For who, when they heard, rebelled? Wasn’t it all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses?”
Hebrews 3:16 · World English Bible
“We see that they weren’t able to enter in because of unbelief.”
Hebrews 3:19 · World English Bible
“Seeing therefore it remains that some should enter into it, and they to whom the good news was preached before failed to enter in because of disobedience,”
Hebrews 4:6 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Hebrews 4

Hebrews 4: Living and active

Hebrews 4 opens with "Let’s fear therefore" (4:1), and its last verse begins "Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace" (4:16). On the way it gives chapter 3's Today again (4:7), and it names the high priest: "Jesus, the Son of God" (4:14).

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions