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Read Hebrews Chapter 2

Up and down arrows move from one verse to the next.

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?

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.

You are readingKing James Version

Explanation

Hebrews 2

In short

The author warns readers not to drift away from the salvation message. He then explains why Jesus had to become human and die: to destroy the devil's power over death, to free people from fear, and to become a priest who can understand human weakness because he himself suffered and was tempted.

What the text says

Verse 1 opens with a warning to pay careful attention to what they have heard, or risk losing it. Verses 2 to 4 argue that if breaking God's law under the old system brought punishment, how can anyone escape by ignoring "so great salvation" spoken by the Lord and confirmed by witnesses, backed up by signs, wonders, and miracles? Verses 5 to 8 quote an Old Testament passage about a human being made "a little lower than the angels" and given authority over everything, but verse 8 notes that not everything is yet visibly under human control. Verses 9 and 10 identify this person as Jesus, who was made lower than angels through death so he could taste death for everyone and become a perfect leader of salvation. Verses 11 to 13 state that Jesus shares the same nature as those he saves and calls them his brothers. Verses 14 and 15 explain the purpose: by becoming human and dying, Jesus destroys the devil's power over death and frees those held in slavery by fear of death. Verses 16 and 17 note that Jesus took on human nature, not angel nature, to become a merciful and faithful priest who makes reconciliation for sins. Verse 18 says that because Jesus suffered when tempted, he can help those being tempted.

Takeaways

  • Jesus had to experience death and temptation as a human to accomplish salvation and understand human struggle.
  • Ignoring salvation is presented as more serious than breaking the old law.
  • Jesus identifies with those he saves as brothers, sharing their nature and suffering.

Explanation written with the help of AI. The Bible text above is not changed. Context and interpretation are flagged as such; always come back to the text itself.