What does the shift to the past tense in this verse reveal?
Hebrews 5:5 (ESV)
5So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest,but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”;
After the present tense of Hebrews 5:1–4, the author now writes mostly in the aorist (past) tense, because he takes his starting point from the historical facts of Jesus’ life. This indicates the contrast between the ongoing, unfinished action of the priest and the finished work of Christ).1,2
5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”;