What Does “Intercede” Mean in the Bible?
To ask God for something on behalf of someone else. The saints and the Virgin Mary intercede for us.
It can mean
- Jesus intercedes: he is the one intercessor before the Father for all. The rest of us intercede united with him.
- Since Abraham: to pray for others belongs to a merciful heart. Abraham prayed for Sodom, and Esther for her people.
Where it appears in the Bible
Romans 8:34; Genesis 18:23; Esther 4:8
What the Bible says
Romans 8:34
Who is he that shall condemn? Christ Jesus that died, yea that is risen also again; who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Genesis 18:23
And drawing nigh he said: Wilt thou destroy the just with the wicked?
Esther 4:8
He gave him also a copy of the edict which was hanging up in Susan, that he should shew it to the queen, and admonish her to go in to the king, and to entreat him for her people.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Source: Catechism 956, 2634 and 2635