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Epiphany Season · Presentation of the Lord · Year A

Hebrews 2:14-18

Jesus Made Like His Brothers

February 2, 2026

The Temptation of Christ, Juan de Flandes
The Temptation of Christ, Juan de Flandes, c. 1500National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
A small Netherlandish panel from a series made for Isabella of Castile. The devil is dressed as a friar, with claws showing beneath the habit.Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.Juan de FlandesA Netherlandish painter who spent his career in Spain as court painter to Isabella of Castile, and whose real name is unknown.National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.Founded on Andrew Mellon's collection and his insistence that it carry no one's name, and free to the public by law.National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Roman Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:22-40Lk 2:22-40 orLuke 2:22-32Lk 2:22-32
Second ReadingHeb. 2:14-18Heb 2:14-18
First ReadingMal. 3:1-4Mal 3:1-4
Responsorial PsalmPs. 24:7, 8, 9, 10 (10b)Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10 (10b)

Overview & Insights

“He had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest.” (Hebrews 2:17)

Without question the greatest obstacle to the author’s argument about the superiority of the Son is the authentic humanity of the Son, which involved him in both suffering and death. For the first time our author uses the name of the man from Nazareth, Jesus (v. 9). The humanity, the suffering, and the death of Jesus all seem to point with unmistakable clarity to his inferiority in comparison with the angels. The matter obviously demands attention, if the author’s argument is to stand; and rather than shrinking from the problem, he effectively turns it to his advantage.

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Take it further: Hebrews 2:14-18

Commentary

Commentary on Hebrews 2:14-18Commentary on Heb 2:14-18 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary commentary on Jesus sharing flesh and blood to free those held by fear of death.

Hebrews 2 Commentary: Jesus, Our Elder BrotherHeb 2 Commentary: Jesus, Our Elder Brother Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik on Christ made like his brothers to become a merciful and faithful high priest.

Hebrews 2:14 CommentariesHeb 2:14 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic and modern commentators gathered on Hebrews 2:14.

Hebrews CommentariesHeb Commentaries Precept Austin

Verse-by-verse study library with word studies and cross-references on Hebrews.

Background & Word Study

Book of Hebrews OverviewBook of Heb Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of Hebrews and its portrait of Jesus as priest and sacrifice.

Hebrews 2:14 InterlinearHeb 2:14 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word-by-word text of Hebrews 2:14 with parsing and Strong's numbers.

The Church Fathers

Church Fathers on Hebrews 2 (Catena)Church Fathers on Heb 2 (Catena) Catena

Verse-linked patristic commentary on Hebrews 2.

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