Hebrews 2:10-18
A Merciful and Faithful High Priest
10In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting for God, for whom and through whom all things exist, to make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.
11For both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.
12He says: “I will proclaim Your name to My brothers; I will sing Your praises in the assembly.”
13And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And once again: “Here am I, and the children God has given Me.”
14Now 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,
15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
16For surely it is not the angels He helps, but the descendants of Abraham.
17For 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 for the sins of the people.
18Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.
Berean Standard Bible
The writer says it was fitting for God to make the author of salvation perfect through suffering as He brings many sons to glory. “Perfect” here does not mean Jesus was morally flawed and needed correction. It describes the completion of His mission through suffering and death.
The One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family. Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. The writer supports this with words about proclaiming God's name among brothers and trusting God with the children He has given Him.
Because the children share flesh and blood, Jesus also shared their humanity. Through death He destroyed the one who holds the power of death—the devil—and freed people enslaved by lifelong fear of death. The Son did not help angels in this way; He took hold of Abraham's descendants and became like His brothers in every way.
That likeness makes Him a merciful and faithful high priest who makes atonement for the people's sins. He knows temptation and suffering from within human life, yet without sin. Therefore He is able to help those who are being tempted. His compassion is not theoretical sympathy. It is the compassion of the faithful Son who has come near.
Questions
1 What did Jesus complete through suffering?
AnswerThrough suffering, Jesus was made perfect as the completed author of salvation, not as someone corrected for sin.
2 What does Jesus call those He sanctifies?
AnswerJesus is not ashamed to call those He sanctifies His brothers and members of God's family.
3 Why did Jesus share human flesh and blood?
AnswerHe shared human life so that through death He could destroy the devil's power and free people from fear of death.
4 How can Jesus help people who are tempted?
AnswerHe can help because He suffered when tempted and became a merciful, faithful high priest.
What This Means for Us
Jesus does not meet temptation from a safe distance. When a child or adult is ashamed of struggling, the household can point to a Savior who understands weakness and offers help without approving sin.
Fear of death can quietly govern many choices. Christ's victory does not make loss painless, but it frees us from treating death as the final authority over our lives.
Prayer
Merciful Jesus, thank You for coming near to us in flesh and blood. Help us when we are tempted, free us from fear, and teach our household to trust Your faithful care. Amen.