Hebrews Chapter 2

Updated: September 14, 2025

Pay Attention to Salvation

1Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

Jesus Made Like His Brothers

5For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

6But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

7Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

8Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

10For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

12Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

13And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

14Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Salvation Confirmed

1 Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense; 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation—which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard; 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?

Jesus like His Brothers

5 For he didn’t subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels.

6 But one has somewhere testified, saying, “What is man, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him?

7 You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor.

8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don’t see all things subjected to him, yet.

9 But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone.

10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

12 saying, “I will declare your name to my brothers. In the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

13 Again, “I will put my trust in him.” Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me.”

14 Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Salvation Confirmed

1 We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?

This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.

Jesus like His Brothers

5 For it is not to angels that He has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But somewhere it is testified in these words:

“What is man that You are mindful of him,

or the son of man that You care for him?

7 You made him a little lower a than the angels;

You crowned him with glory and honor b

8 and placed everything under his feet.” c

When God subjected all things to him, He left nothing outside of his control. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.

10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting for God, for whom and through whom all things exist, to make the author d of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12 He says:

“I will proclaim Your name to My brothers;

I will sing Your praises in the assembly.” e

13 And again:

“I will put My trust in Him.” f

And once again:

“Here am I, and the children God has given Me.” g

14 Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

16 For surely it is not the angels He helps, but the descendants of Abraham. 17 For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement h for the sins of the people. 18 Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

Footnotes:

7 a Or a little while lower ; also in verse 9
7 b WH and TR include and set him over the works of Your hands .
8 c Psalm 8:4–6 (see also LXX)
10 d Or pioneer  or founder
12 e Psalm 22:22 (see also LXX)
13 f Isaiah 8:17
13 g Isaiah 8:18
17 h Or to make propitiation

Pay Attention to Salvation

1Because of this it behoveth us more abundantly to take heed to the things heard, lest we may glide aside, 2for if the word being spoken through messengers did become stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience did receive a just recompense, 3how shall we escape, having neglected so great salvation? which a beginning receiving -- to be spoken through the Lord -- by those having heard was confirmed to us, 4God also bearing joint-witness both with signs and wonders, and manifold powers, and distributions of the Holy Spirit, according to His will.

Jesus Made Like His Brothers

5For not to messengers did He subject the coming world, concerning which we speak,

6and one in a certain place did testify fully, saying, 'What is man, that Thou art mindful of him, or a son of man, that Thou dost look after him?

7Thou didst make him some little less than messengers, with glory and honour Thou didst crown him, and didst set him over the works of Thy hands,

8all things Thou didst put in subjection under his feet,' for in the subjecting to him the all things, nothing did He leave to him unsubjected, and now not yet do we see the all things subjected to him,

9and him who was made some little less than messengers we see -- Jesus -- because of the suffering of the death, with glory and honour having been crowned, that by the grace of God for every one he might taste of death.

10For it was becoming to Him, because of whom are the all things, and through whom are the all things, many sons to glory bringing, the author of their salvation through sufferings to make perfect, 11for both he who is sanctifying and those sanctified are all of one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

12saying, 'I will declare Thy name to my brethren, in the midst of an assembly I will sing praise to Thee;' and again, 'I will be trusting on Him;'

13and again, 'Behold I and the children that God did give to me.'

14Seeing, then, the children have partaken of flesh and blood, he himself also in like manner did take part of the same, that through death he might destroy him having the power of death -- that is, the devil -- 15and might deliver those, whoever, with fear of death, throughout all their life, were subjects of bondage, 16for, doubtless, of messengers it doth not lay hold, but of seed of Abraham it layeth hold, 17wherefore it did behove him in all things to be made like to the brethren, that he might become a kind and stedfast chief-priest in the things with God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people, 18for in that he suffered, himself being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

The Favor of God paraphrase

Pay Close Attention to What You’ve Heard

¹ We must pay even closer attention to what we’ve heard so that we do not drift away! ² For if the message delivered by angels was reliable and every violation received its due punishment, ³ how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord Himself, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. ⁴ And God testified to it by signs, wonders, various miracles, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to His will.

Jesus Made Fully Human

⁵ It is not to angels that He has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. ⁶ But there is a place where someone has testified: “What is mankind that You are mindful of them, the son of man that You care for him? ⁷ You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor ⁸ and put everything under his feet.” In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present, we do not see everything subject to them.

⁹ But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God, He might taste death for everyone. ¹⁰ In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what He suffered. ¹¹ Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. ¹² He says, “I will declare Your name to My brothers and sisters; in the assembly, I will sing Your praises.”

¹³ And again, “I will put my trust in Him.” And again, He says, “Here am I, and the children God has given Me.”

Jesus Destroys the Power of Death

¹⁴ Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death, He might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—¹⁵ and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. ¹⁶ For surely it is not angels He helps, but Abraham’s descendants. ¹⁷ For this reason, He had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

Footnotes:

1.“Drift away” (verse 1) conveys the image of slowly moving away, like a boat that gradually floats from its mooring.

2.“World to come” (verse 5) refers to the new age and world that will be ruled under God’s full reign, emphasizing the eternal kingdom to come.

3.“Pioneer of their salvation” (verse 10) is translated from the Greek word archēgos, which means leader, founder, or one who goes first to pave the way for others.

4.“Perfect through what He suffered” (verse 10) emphasizes that Jesus’ sufferings were part of completing His work as the Savior and representative of humanity.

5.“Brothers and sisters” (verse 11) emphasizes the deep connection believers share with Jesus, as part of God’s family.

6.“Power of death” (verse 14) represents the devil’s grip over humanity through sin and the fear of death, which Jesus came to break by His sacrifice.

7.“High priest” (verse 17) highlights Jesus’ role as the mediator between humanity and God, offering the perfect atonement for sins.

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The F.O.G Commentary

Why Jesus Had to Become Human

What’s Hebrews 2 about?

This chapter tackles one of the most profound questions in all of Scripture: Why did the Son of God have to become human? The author shows us that Jesus didn’t just visit earth as God—he had to fully enter our human experience, complete with suffering and death, to accomplish something that couldn’t be done any other way.

The Full Context

The letter to the Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were facing intense persecution and considering abandoning their faith in Jesus to return to Judaism. Written likely between 60-70 AD, this anonymous author (though traditionally attributed to Paul, the style suggests otherwise) crafts a sophisticated theological argument showing why Jesus is superior to every aspect of the old covenant—angels, Moses, the priesthood, and the sacrificial system. Chapter 2 comes right after the author’s opening argument that Jesus is superior to angels, but now he must address an obvious question: if Jesus is so exalted, why did he have to suffer and die like a common criminal?

This passage fits perfectly within the book’s overall structure as part of the author’s systematic demonstration of Christ’s supremacy. But here’s the genius move—instead of downplaying Jesus’ humanity, the author argues that his full participation in human nature was absolutely essential for salvation. The chapter addresses a critical theological puzzle that early Christians wrestled with: how can someone who is truly God also be truly human? And why would that even be necessary? The cultural background here is crucial—both Jewish and Greco-Roman thinking struggled with the idea of deity becoming truly human, seeing it as beneath the divine nature.

What the Ancient Words Tell Us

The Greek word katartisai in Hebrews 2:10 is fascinating—it means “to make perfect” or “to complete,” but it’s the same word used for mending fishing nets or setting a broken bone. God wasn’t improving Jesus’ character; he was completing his qualification as our High Priest through the experience of suffering.

When we look at Hebrews 2:14, the word kekoinoneken (shared in common) is incredibly intimate—it’s the same root used for fellowship and communion. Jesus didn’t just put on humanity like a costume; he entered into full partnership with our human experience.

Grammar Geeks

When the author quotes Psalm 8:4-6 in Hebrews 2:6-8, he’s doing something brilliant with the Hebrew word enosh (mankind). In the psalm, it’s about human dignity and calling, but the author shows how it perfectly describes the incarnate Jesus—true man fulfilling humanity’s original purpose.

The phrase “for a little while lower than the angels” uses the Greek brachy ti, which can mean either “for a little while” or “a little bit lower.” The ambiguity is actually perfect—Jesus was temporarily lower in his earthly state, but also just slightly lower in terms of taking on human nature.

What Would the Original Audience Have Heard?

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What is the F.O.G?

Picture Jewish believers who grew up hearing about angels as God’s supreme messengers, the beings who delivered the Law at Sinai, who shut lions’ mouths for Daniel and appeared to their ancestors with earth-shaking power. Now they’re being told that someone greater than these magnificent beings chose to become lower than them?

The original readers would have immediately caught the shocking reversal here. In their worldview, you always moved up the cosmic ladder—from human to angelic to divine. But Jesus moved down—from divine to human, from exalted to suffering. This wasn’t weakness; it was the ultimate demonstration of strength.

Did You Know?

First-century Jewish writings like 1 Enoch and Jubilees were obsessed with angelic hierarchies and their power. For the author to argue that becoming human—lower than angels—was actually Jesus’ path to ultimate exaltation would have been mind-blowing to readers steeped in this literature.

When these persecuted believers heard Hebrews 2:11—that Jesus calls them “brothers”—they weren’t hearing a nice sentiment. They were hearing that the one who is heir of all things, through whom God made the universe, considers them family. In a culture where family loyalty was everything and shame was the worst fate, this was revolutionary comfort.

Wrestling with the Text

Here’s what stops me cold every time I read this: Hebrews 2:17 says Jesus “had to be made like his brothers in every way.” Had to be. Not chose to be, not decided it would be nice—had to be.

Why was incarnation necessary? Couldn’t an all-powerful God have saved us some other way? The text suggests that something about justice, something about the nature of sin and death itself, required this specific solution. A representative who hadn’t fully entered our condition couldn’t truly represent us.

Wait, That’s Strange…

Hebrews 2:16 says Jesus doesn’t give help to angels but to Abraham’s descendants. Why mention angels here? Because fallen angels exist too, but Jesus’ mission was specifically to humanity. The incarnation was targeted rescue, not universal rehabilitation.

The logic is stunning when you think about it: To destroy the one who holds the power of death, Jesus had to enter the realm where death has power. To free those enslaved by fear of death, he had to experience death himself. You can’t break chains you’ve never worn.

How This Changes Everything

This isn’t theology for theology’s sake—this is the most practical truth imaginable. If Jesus remained safely divine, untouched by human limitation, then his victory would be irrelevant to our struggle. But because he chose human weakness, his strength is available to us in our weakness.

When you’re facing something that makes you feel abandoned, Hebrews 2:18 tells us Jesus “is able to help those who are being tempted” precisely because he was tempted. Not in spite of his humanity, but because of it.

“The Word became flesh not to show us how human God could become, but to show us how divine humans could become.”

The early Christians weren’t just getting a better religion—they were being invited into the family business of being human the way it was always meant to be. Jesus didn’t just save us from something; he saved us to something: the original calling to rule creation as God’s image-bearers, now made possible through his perfect humanity.

This means your struggles aren’t disqualifying you from God’s purposes—they’re part of how you’re being equipped for them. Every limitation you face, Jesus faced. Every temptation that haunts you, he understands. Every fear that grips you, he conquered not by avoiding it, but by walking through it.

Key Takeaway

Jesus didn’t become human despite being God—he became human precisely because he’s God, and only perfect divinity could rescue broken humanity by fully entering into it.

Hebrews Chapter 2

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