Christmas Season · First Sunday after Christmas Day · Year A
Hebrews 2:10-18
Jesus Made Like His Brothers
December 28, 2025
Overview & Insights
“Since the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things.” (Hebrews 2:14)
Christ is Superior to the Angels Despite His Humanity 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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Commentary
Commentary on Hebrews 2:10-18 Working Preacher
Unpacks the passage as a collage of four images for Christ (pioneer, brother, priest, liberator), arguing this 'low Sunday' text answers what the incarnation is actually for once the Christmas lights come down.
Hebrews 2:10-18 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching notes on Christ's solidarity in flesh and blood with those he frees from the fear of death, aimed at helping a preacher connect a dense doctrinal text to the Christmas story just told.
Hebrews 2 Bible Commentary Enduring Word (David Guzik)
Verse-by-verse evangelical study notes on the chapter's argument that Jesus had to be made fully human, 'like his brothers in every respect,' in order to become a merciful and faithful high priest.
Hebrews 2 Resources Precept Austin
Verse-by-verse index (2:5-7, 2:8-10, 2:14-15, 2:16-17, 2:18, etc.) compiling classic commentators on Christ's incarnation, suffering, and priesthood through this passage.
Hebrews 2:10 Commentaries BibleHub (classic commentaries)
Aggregates public-domain commentaries verse by verse on the 'pioneer of salvation made perfect through suffering' language that opens this reading.
Background & Word Study
Introduction to Hebrews Theology of Work
Frames Hebrews as a book about Christ at work sustaining creation, giving background on authorship, audience, and purpose useful for setting this reading in its whole-letter context.
Hebrews BibleProject
Animated book overview showing how Hebrews argues Jesus is superior to angels, Moses, and the Levitical priesthood, the argument this passage's 'made like his brothers' language builds toward.
Introductory Issues in Hebrews Enter the Bible (Luther Seminary)
Seminary-level background lesson on Hebrews's genre, audience, and rhetorical strategy, orienting readers before tackling the incarnation-and-priesthood argument in chapter 2.
Questions preachers ask
Why does Hebrews insist the Son had to be made like us in every respect?
For two reasons the passage gives in order: so that by dying he could break the power of the one who holds the power of death, and so that as a merciful high priest he could help those being tested, because he has been tested himself.
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