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Epiphany Season · Presentation of the Lord · Year B

Hebrews 2:14-18

Jesus Made Like His Brothers

February 2, 2027

The Descent into Limbo, Master of the Osservanza
The Descent into Limbo, Master of the Osservanza, c. 1440–44Harvard Art Museums (Fogg Museum), Cambridge, Massachusetts
Christ, carrying the banner of the resurrection, has broken down the door of hell, which lies flat on a crushed demon; he takes Adam by the hand while the prophets and the righteous dead crowd toward the light.Through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.Master of the OsservanzaAn unnamed Sienese painter, named after an altarpiece in the Osservanza church outside Siena, who painted the scenes of Christ’s Passion for one great altarpiece.Harvard Art Museums (Fogg Museum), Cambridge, MassachusettsThe Harvard Art Museums in Cambridge, Massachusetts, whose Fogg Museum is the oldest art museum at Harvard.Harvard Art Museums (Fogg Museum), Cambridge, Massachusetts
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:22-40Lk 2:22-40
EpistleHeb. 2:14-18Heb 2:14-18
Old TestamentMal. 3:1-4Mal 3:1-4
PsalterPs. 84Ps 84 orPs. 24:7-10Ps 24:7-10

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

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

Explains how the incarnation frees those enslaved by the fear of death and makes Jesus a merciful high priest.

Hebrews 2:10-18Heb 2:10-18 Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed reading of why Jesus had to share flesh and blood with the sisters and brothers he came to save.

Classic commentaries on Hebrews 2Classic commentaries on Heb 2 BibleHub

Parallel classic commentaries verse by verse across Hebrews 2:14-18.

Hebrews 2:14-18Heb 2:14-18 Enduring Word · David Guzik

An accessible verse-by-verse commentary, widely used across evangelical churches.

Background & Word Study

Hebrews and WorkHeb and Work Theology of Work

A commentary on Hebrews reading its high-priest and solidarity themes for everyday faith and vocation.

Hebrews 2:16-18: Jesus, Priest and BrotherHeb 2:16-18: Jesus, Priest and Brother Enter the Bible

Background on how Jesus becomes a merciful and faithful high priest who helps those being tested.

Overview: HebrewsOverview: Heb BibleProject

An animated overview tracing the argument for Jesus as the greater and merciful high priest.

The Church Fathers

Hebrews 2, patristic commentaryHeb 2, patristic commentary Catena

Patristic comment on Christ sharing our flesh to break the power of death.

Questions preachers ask

Why did the Son share our flesh and blood?

By taking our nature and death, Christ destroyed the one who held the power of death and freed those enslaved by fear, becoming a merciful high priest able to help the tempted.

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