American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Hebrews 2
1
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
Reference
2
For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;
Reference
3
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them that heard him;
Reference
Parallel theme
Hebrews 12:25
Romans 2:3
Hebrews 1:2
Hebrews 4:11
Luke 1:2
Ezekiel 17:15
Salvation
Hebrews 5:9
Isaiah 62:11
Acts 4:12
Revelation 7:10
4
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
Reference
6
But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that you are mindful of him? or the son of man that you visit him?
Reference
7
You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, and did set him over the works of your hands:
Reference
Glory
Psalm 8:5
8
You have 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.
Reference
9
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 John 2:2
Romans 5:18
Hebrews 10:5
John 12:32
References God
Revelation 5:9
Acts 2:33
John 3:16
Romans 5:8
Hebrews 7:25
References Jesus
John 1:29
10
For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Reference
Glory
Romans 11:36
Luke 24:26
1 Peter 5:10
Parallel theme
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 6:20
Luke 24:46
Hebrews 7:28
Ephesians 3:10
1 Corinthians 8:6
Salvation
Acts 5:31
11
For both he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers,
Reference
Holy
Hebrews 10:10
Hebrews 10:14
John 17:19
Parallel theme
Hebrews 13:12
John 20:17
Romans 8:29
John 17:21
Matthew 25:40
Hebrews 2:14
Acts 17:26
12
Saying, I will declare your name to my brothers, in the middle of the church will I sing praise to you.
Reference
13
And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God has given me.
Reference
Faith
Isaiah 12:2
Psalm 91:2
Psalm 18:2
2 Samuel 22:3
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 4:15
John 10:29
References God
Genesis 48:9
Genesis 33:5
14
For as much 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;
Reference
16
For truly he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
Reference
17
Why in all things it behooved him to be made like to his brothers, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Reference
Creation
Hebrews 7:26
Faith
Hebrews 3:5
Parallel theme
Hebrews 2:14
Hebrews 2:11
Colossians 1:21
Leviticus 8:15
References God
Romans 5:10
Romans 15:17
Sin
Daniel 9:24
Hebrews 7:28
Summary of Hebrews 2
Hebrews 2 urges believers to remain firmly attached to the message of salvation rather than drifting away from it, because the salvation announced through Christ carries greater authority than the earlier revelation, while explaining that Jesus willingly became fully human, experienced suffering and death, identified Himself completely with humanity, defeated the power of death, and became a merciful and faithful High Priest who can help those who experience temptation and suffering.
The chapter begins with a serious warning that believers must pay close attention to what they have heard, because spiritual drifting can happen gradually when people become careless about the truth.
The writer argues that if the message associated with earlier divine revelation carried serious consequences for disobedience, then neglecting the much greater salvation announced by Christ cannot be treated as a minor matter.
This salvation was first announced by the Lord Himself and then confirmed by those who heard Him, while God provided additional confirmation through signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.
The writer then returns to the theme of Christ's superiority to angels, explaining that the future world will not ultimately be placed under angelic authority but under the purpose of God concerning humanity.
Psalm 8 is used to explain the remarkable dignity God originally gave human beings, because humanity was created with responsibility over God's creation and crowned with glory and honor.
Yet the writer observes that humanity's complete authority over creation is not presently visible, because the world remains affected by sin, suffering, death, and disorder.
Instead, believers see Jesus, who was temporarily made lower than the angels by becoming human, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death for everyone.
This apparent humiliation becomes central to the chapter's message, because Christ's suffering was not evidence of weakness or failure but part of God's saving purpose, through which He leads many people toward glory.
The writer emphasizes that Jesus and those He makes holy share a common human identity, allowing Him to call them brothers without shame and demonstrating the extraordinary closeness between Christ and His people.
The chapter then explains why Christ had to become genuinely human, declaring that because God's children share flesh and blood, Jesus also shared human nature so that through His death He could defeat the devil's power over death.
Christ's victory therefore addresses one of humanity's deepest fears, because those who were held in lifelong slavery through their fear of death can now receive freedom through the hope of resurrection and eternal life.
The writer emphasizes that Christ came not to help angels but to help Abraham's descendants, connecting His mission with God's covenant promises and demonstrating that He entered fully into the human condition.
Because Jesus experienced human suffering and temptation Himself, He can serve as a merciful and faithful High Priest, making atonement for the sins of the people while also understanding their weakness and providing help when they face temptation.
The central message of Hebrews 2 is that believers must hold firmly to the salvation revealed through Jesus Christ because neglecting such a great salvation carries serious consequences, while Christ's willingness to become fully human, suffer and die, defeat the power of death, and identify Himself completely with His people demonstrates both the depth of God's saving love and Christ's unique ability as a merciful and faithful High Priest to understand, strengthen, and help those who face suffering and temptation.
The chapter begins with a serious warning that believers must pay close attention to what they have heard, because spiritual drifting can happen gradually when people become careless about the truth.
The writer argues that if the message associated with earlier divine revelation carried serious consequences for disobedience, then neglecting the much greater salvation announced by Christ cannot be treated as a minor matter.
This salvation was first announced by the Lord Himself and then confirmed by those who heard Him, while God provided additional confirmation through signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.
The writer then returns to the theme of Christ's superiority to angels, explaining that the future world will not ultimately be placed under angelic authority but under the purpose of God concerning humanity.
Psalm 8 is used to explain the remarkable dignity God originally gave human beings, because humanity was created with responsibility over God's creation and crowned with glory and honor.
Yet the writer observes that humanity's complete authority over creation is not presently visible, because the world remains affected by sin, suffering, death, and disorder.
Instead, believers see Jesus, who was temporarily made lower than the angels by becoming human, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death for everyone.
This apparent humiliation becomes central to the chapter's message, because Christ's suffering was not evidence of weakness or failure but part of God's saving purpose, through which He leads many people toward glory.
The writer emphasizes that Jesus and those He makes holy share a common human identity, allowing Him to call them brothers without shame and demonstrating the extraordinary closeness between Christ and His people.
The chapter then explains why Christ had to become genuinely human, declaring that because God's children share flesh and blood, Jesus also shared human nature so that through His death He could defeat the devil's power over death.
Christ's victory therefore addresses one of humanity's deepest fears, because those who were held in lifelong slavery through their fear of death can now receive freedom through the hope of resurrection and eternal life.
The writer emphasizes that Christ came not to help angels but to help Abraham's descendants, connecting His mission with God's covenant promises and demonstrating that He entered fully into the human condition.
Because Jesus experienced human suffering and temptation Himself, He can serve as a merciful and faithful High Priest, making atonement for the sins of the people while also understanding their weakness and providing help when they face temptation.
The central message of Hebrews 2 is that believers must hold firmly to the salvation revealed through Jesus Christ because neglecting such a great salvation carries serious consequences, while Christ's willingness to become fully human, suffer and die, defeat the power of death, and identify Himself completely with His people demonstrates both the depth of God's saving love and Christ's unique ability as a merciful and faithful High Priest to understand, strengthen, and help those who face suffering and temptation.