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Jesus like His Brothers
Hebrews 2:5–18 explains why Jesus became truly human. The writer contrasts angels with humanity, then points to Jesus, whose suffering, death, glory and priestly help show what his becoming like us means.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of Hebrews speaks about “the world to come” and says it is not subjected to angels. It quotes words about human beings being remembered by God and given honour, then explains what is not yet seen and what is seen in Jesus instead.
Hebrews 2:5–18Main takeaway
Jesus became like his brothers so that through death and priestly ministry he could help people, deal with sin and free them from the fear of death.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Not angels, but humanityThe writer begins with the “world to come” and says it is not subjected to angels. He then quotes words about humanity: God remembers human beings, made them a little lower than angels, crowned them with glory and honour, and put all things under their feet.
Explanation
The writer begins with the “world to come” and says it is not subjected to angels. He then quotes words about humanity: God remembers human beings, made them a little lower than angels, crowned them with glory and honour, and put all things under their feet. Yet this full subjection is not presently visible.
02What we see in JesusAlthough everything is not yet seen under human rule, the passage says, “we see” Jesus. He too was made a little lower than the angels and suffered death.
Explanation
Although everything is not yet seen under human rule, the passage says, “we see” Jesus. He too was made a little lower than the angels and suffered death. Now he is crowned with glory and honour. His death is described as tasting death for everyone by the grace of God.
03Brothers, children and shared fleshGod is bringing many children to glory, and Jesus is the author of their salvation, made perfect through sufferings.
Explanation
God is bringing many children to glory, and Jesus is the author of their salvation, made perfect through sufferings. The one who sanctifies and those sanctified are “all from one”, so Jesus calls them brothers. Because the children share flesh and blood, he also shared the same human life.
04Death, help and priesthoodBy sharing flesh and blood, Jesus could act through death to bring to nothing the devil, who had the power of death, and deliver those held in lifelong bondage through fear.
Explanation
By sharing flesh and blood, Jesus could act through death to bring to nothing the devil, who had the power of death, and deliver those held in lifelong bondage through fear. He helps the offspring of Abraham. Being made like his brothers, he became a merciful and faithful high priest who makes atonement and helps the tempted.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does the writer say is true about humanity, and what does he say is not yet seen?
Compare the quoted words about all things being put under human feet with the added comment that we do not yet see all things subjected.
02How does the passage move from “we don’t yet see” to “we see”?
Notice that the answer is not a general idea but the person of Jesus, who suffered death and is now crowned with glory and honour.
03Why was Jesus made like his brothers according to these verses?
Look for the stated results: deliverance from fear of death, help for the offspring of Abraham, atonement for sins, and help for those who are tempted.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Hebrews 2:5–18
5For he didn’t subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels.
6But one has somewhere testified, saying, “What is man, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him?
7You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor.
8You 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 yet see all things subjected to him.
9But 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.
10For 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.
11For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers,
12saying, “I will declare your name to my brothers. Among the congregation I will sing your praise.”
13Again, “I will put my trust in him.” Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me.”
14Since 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,
15and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspring of Abraham.
17Therefore 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.
18For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.