Forerunner
The Biblical Concept of a Forerunner
The term "forerunner" (Greek: prodromos) appears only once in the New Testament, in Hebrews 6:20: "where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf." In ancient Greek usage, a prodromos was a scout, advance guard, or pioneer who went ahead of an army or group to secure a position, prepare the way, and ensure safe passage for those who would follow. This military and exploratory imagery powerfully communicates Christ's work on behalf of believers.
Jesus Christ as the Ultimate Forerunner
Hebrews presents Jesus as the perfect high priest who differs fundamentally from the Levitical priests of the Old Testament. While the Jewish high priest entered the Holy of Holies in the temple once a year as a representative of the people (Leviticus 16), he was not a forerunner—the people could not follow him into God's immediate presence. In contrast, Jesus entered the heavenly sanctuary not merely as a representative but as a pioneer who blazes a trail for His people to follow (Hebrews 9:11-12, 24). His ascension to heaven was not an abandonment but an advance mission, securing our future access to God through His sacrificial death and resurrection.
The Forerunner's Work: Preparation and Guarantee
Christ's forerunner ministry involves two key aspects: preparation and guarantee. First, Jesus told His disciples, "I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2-3). His heavenly ministry involves interceding for believers (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25) and preparing the eternal dwelling place for God's people. Second, His role as forerunner serves as a guarantee of our future inheritance. Just as a scout's successful arrival at a destination assures those who follow that the way is open and secure, Christ's presence in heaven assures believers that they too will arrive there (Hebrews 6:19-20). This guarantee is anchored in Jesus' own resurrection and exaltation.
Contrast with John the Baptist
While John the Baptist is described as one who "prepared the way" for Jesus (Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:2-3; Luke 1:76), fulfilling Malachi's prophecy about a messenger who would prepare the way for the Lord (Malachi 3:1), he served as a forerunner to Christ's first coming in humility. Jesus, however, serves as the forerunner for believers' ultimate destination—the very presence of God. John prepared the way for the Messiah's earthly ministry; Jesus prepares the way for our eternal heavenly dwelling.
Practical Implications for Believers
The doctrine of Christ as forerunner provides profound encouragement for Christian living. It assures believers of their secure future with God, motivating perseverance through trials (Hebrews 12:1-3). It also shapes Christian hope, which becomes "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" that reaches into heaven itself where Jesus has gone before us (Hebrews 6:19). This truth encourages believers to fix their eyes on Jesus, "the pioneer and perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 12:2), who has completed the journey we are now undertaking and welcomes us to follow His path.
Biblical Context
The specific term "forerunner" appears only in Hebrews 6:20 within the New Testament. However, the concept appears throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, figures like Moses and Joshua led God's people into new territories, foreshadowing Christ's ultimate leadership. John the Baptist explicitly served as a forerunner preparing the way for Jesus' earthly ministry (Matthew 3:1-3; John 1:23). The entire book of Hebrews develops the theme of Jesus as the superior high priest who enters God's presence on behalf of His people, with chapter 6 culminating in the explicit "forerunner" terminology that captures this unique aspect of Christ's work.
Theological Significance
Christ's role as forerunner is theologically significant because it highlights the accessibility of God's presence through Jesus. Unlike Old Testament worship where only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and only once a year, Jesus has permanently opened the way for all believers to approach God (Hebrews 10:19-22). This underscores the completeness of Christ's atoning work and the assurance of salvation—if our forerunner has entered heaven, we who follow Him in faith are guaranteed to arrive there as well. The concept emphasizes both the uniqueness of Christ's mediation and the intimate relationship believers now have with God through Him.
Historical Background
In the Greco-Roman world, prodromos (forerunner) had specific applications. In military contexts, prodromoi were advance cavalry scouts who reconnoitered ahead of the main army. In maritime contexts, smaller ships might serve as forerunners to larger vessels, testing channels and harbors. The term also described messengers who preceded important officials to announce their coming and prepare for their arrival. This cultural context enriches our understanding of Hebrews 6:20—Jesus has gone ahead as the divine scout, securing the way, testing the passage, and preparing the destination for His people. The author of Hebrews uses this culturally familiar concept to explain Christ's unique heavenly ministry to a audience familiar with both Jewish temple worship and Greco-Roman society.