What is the context?
These verses introduce the response called for in 10:19–25. The confidence to approach God comes through Jesus’ blood and the new, living way opened through His body. The image returns to the curtain that restricted entrance into the sanctuary.
The next verses identify Jesus as the great priest over God’s house and call believers to draw near, hold to hope and encourage one another. Access through Christ leads into faith and care for others, rather than independence from the people He gathers.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Calvin and Wesley understand Jesus Himself as opening the way to God. Their explanations of the curtain center on His humanity and saving work, rather than a new physical sanctuary Christians must enter.
Traditions distinguish that access from the responsibilities of church ministers in different ways. The Catholic Catechism, 1544–1547, teaches that ordained priesthood participates in Christ’s one priesthood while all believers share a common priesthood. The Reformed Westminster Confession, 27.3–4, reserves administering baptism and the Lord’s Supper to ordained ministers while attributing their effectiveness to the Spirit and Christ’s promise. These accounts should be distinguished from a claim that a minister supplies a second saving sacrifice.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Ephesians 2:18–22 describes both Jewish and Gentile believers having access to the Father through Christ in one Spirit and belonging to one household. The opened way serves God’s purpose of gathering His people together.
Romans 8:31–39 grounds confidence in God’s gift of His Son and Christ’s continuing intercession. Drawing near depends on that saving love, rather than achieving a standing Jesus has failed to provide.
What is our position?
Our study Who Shepherds the Church? understands these verses as direct access to God through Christ. Believers do not need a human priestly class standing between them and God. The study also preserves the work of elders who teach, correct and care for people; that service does not replace Christ’s unique role.