ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Hebrews 2

Heb. 2:1–4 This warning calls the reader to pay heed to the greater salvation which was declared by the Lord himself, attested by human eyewitnesses, and authenticated by God’s power. The warning proceeds from the lesser (punishments under the Mosaic law; v. 2) to the greater (the danger of neglecting the greater salvation; vv. 3–4).

Heb. 2:2 The message declared by angels is the Mosaic law (see Deut. 33:2; Acts 7:53; Gal. 3:19). reliable. Even though the revelation in Christ is superior, the author does not diminish the importance of the Mosaic law.

Heb. 2:3 how shall we escape? If the Mosaic law came with “retribution” for failure to obey it (v. 2), then surely the greater salvation announced by the Lord comes with more dangerous retribution for those who neglect it.

Heb. 2:4 The terms signs, wonders, and miracles overlap in meaning. They appear together in Acts 2:22 and 2 Cor. 12:12 (contrast 2 Thess. 2:9). The Greek word for gifts can mean “distributions.” Distributed according to his will probably refers to the spiritual gifts and to all the other works of God described in this verse.

Heb. 2:5–18 Jesus is also superior to angels since, as Son of Man, the world is subjected to him, though this has yet to be fully revealed (vv. 5–9). Jesus’ sacrificial suffering and death required him to partake of humanity (vv. 10–18).

Heb. 2:5 For indicates that the argument continues from 1:5–14 and 2:2–4. The “son of man” (v. 6) has responsibilities of worldwide rule not given to angels. the world to come. The future age when all of God’s purposes in salvation will be fulfilled. The author is speaking of a future salvation (see note on 9:27–28), though the “last days” have already begun (1:2).

Heb. 2:7 You made him. Some think the author of Hebrews, quoting Psalm 8, refers to the human race in general. Others think he refers to Jesus, the true Son of Man. for a little while lower. If this refers to mankind in general, then it means that believers, during their earthly lives, are slightly lower in status and authority than angels. If the writer refers to Jesus, it means that, in his earthly suffering, Jesus’ divine nature was temporarily obscured (compare Phil. 2:6–8).

Heb. 2:8 Putting everything in subjection to him echoes Gen. 1:28, where God put everything under the stewardship of Adam and Eve (Gen. 1:26–28). But if Jesus, the true representative of humanity, is specifically in view, then it means that the “world to come” (Heb. 2:5) is subjected to Jesus, indicating his superiority to angels in his authority to rule the world. This also implies that he rules the angels themselves, since nothing is outside his control. However, at present believers do not see the entire world subject either to human beings or to Christ. This raises the question, What has happened to God’s plan to put everything in subjection under man (or under Christ)?

Heb. 2:9 But we see him. All interpreters agree that this refers to Jesus (compare notes on vv. 7, 8). The phrase little while and the sequence of events in vv. 7–8 (compare Ps. 8:5–6) show that, after first being made lower than the angels, Jesus was crowned and exalted. Jesus’ suffering of death was the reason for his being crowned with glory and honor. He tasted death as a work of God’s grace on behalf of everyone (that is, all who follow him; Heb. 9:15; 28; 10:39). Jesus. This is the first mention of Jesus’ name in Hebrews (see 3:1; 4:14; etc.; “Christ” first appears in 3:6). Though the human race generally did not fulfill God’s plan to put everything on earth under man’s feet (2:6–8), there is one man who is fulfilling God’s great plan, and that is Jesus.

Heb. 2:10 he, for whom and by whom all things exist. God the Father. many sons. The followers of the one unique Son of God are adopted into the newly redeemed human family (see “brothers,” vv. 11–12; and “children,” v. 13; also 12:5–8). founder. The Greek can designate either an originator or a leader (see 12:2). The concept of making perfect applies in Hebrews both to Jesus himself (5:9; 7:28) and to his work in sanctifying his followers (10:14; 12:23). The author is not suggesting that Jesus was sinful (compare 4:15; 7:26), but that as Jesus lived his life, his maturity and experience deepened, always with full obedience to the Father.

Heb. 2:11 those who are sanctified. Jesus’ true followers, who are set apart for his purposes by his sacrifice (10:10; 14; 13:12). he is not ashamed to call them brothers. Since they share a common source of life, they are members of the same family.

Heb. 2:12 This verse quotes from Ps. 22:22. The psalm speaks of Jesus’ death (Ps. 22:1, 16–18) and resurrection (Ps. 22:19–24). congregation. All the redeemed in heaven.

Heb. 2:13 The second citation in this verse clearly comes from Isa. 8:18. The first likely is adapted from Isa. 8:17.

Heb. 2:14–15 A human Savior was necessary, because human beings (children) need a sacrifice that bears God’s wrath and turns it to favor (see note on v. 17). They also need a sympathetic high priest (vv. 17–18). share in flesh and blood. Jesus was fully human, just like the “children” and the high priest (see 5:1–2). the one who has the power of death. God ultimately rules over life and death (Deut. 32:39; Ps. 90:3; 139:16), but Satan claims that power.

Heb. 2:17 had to be. Unless Jesus became fully human in every respect (except for sin), he could not represent believers as their high priest. Jesus must be human in order to serve as high priest on behalf of humanity. propitiation. An atoning sacrifice that cancels sin and satisfies God’s wrath (compare Deut. 21:8; Ps. 25:11; 78:38; see note on Rom. 3:25).

Heb. 2:18 suffered. Jesus’ sufferings as a human, especially his death (vv. 9–10). tempted. Jesus, as high priest, was tempted in every way and yet did not sin (4:15; also 7:26).