Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes that Jesus "likewise partook" of flesh and blood, not just as a general similarity, but as a deliberate assumption of human frailty with the express purpose of dying. This wasn't an accidental encounter with death, but a necessary step, like a doctor deliberately contracting a mild illness to understand and cure it in others.
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author has been discussing how God's ultimate plan involves bringing many sons to glory, but this required the Son, Jesus, to suffer. Now, the text explains why Jesus had to become human: because humanity is bound by flesh, blood, and ultimately death, Jesus himself had to share in this same mortal existence. This allowed him to face death head-on and defeat the devil, who held humanity captive through the fear and power of death.
Why did Jesus have to become like us, down to our very flesh and blood? It wasn't just a matter of empathy; it was the battlefield where the ultimate victory was won.
The verse highlights a crucial link: because humanity ('the children') shares in 'flesh and blood,' Jesus also 'likewise took part of the same things.' This wasn't a casual similarity.
Becoming One of Us
It sounds like a paradox: how can death, the ultimate end, be the very weapon used to destroy the power of death itself?
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The verse reveals God's astonishing strategy: Jesus' own death was the means to dismantle the devil's dominion.
The Devil's Reign and Its Undoing
Understand the original words
haima kai sarx · Greek Noun phrase
A common biblical idiom referring to the entirety of human nature, emphasizing the fragility, mortality, and physical reality of humanity.
thanatos · Greek Noun
The cessation of biological life; biblically, it is the result of sin and the ultimate enemy that Christ conquered through His own sacrificial death and resurrection.
katargeō · Greek Verb
To render powerless, nullify, or put out of operation; it implies stripping someone or something of its effective authority or influence.
diabolos · Greek Noun
Literally "the accuser" or "slanderer"; the adversary of God and humanity who seeks to deceive, tempt, and hold captive through the fear of death and sin.
This passage echoes the idea that death, the ultimate consequence of sin, entered through one man, directly correlating with the devil's power over death mentioned in Hebrews 2:14.
John 1:14It highlights Jesus becoming flesh and blood, the crucial step explained in Hebrews 2:14 that allowed Him to enter into our human experience and confront death.
Colossians 2:15This verse directly speaks to Christ disarming and defeating the spiritual powers, which aligns perfectly with Hebrews 2:14's declaration that Christ destroyed the one who held the power of death.
Romans 8:3It explains that God sent His Son in human likeness, bearing the penalty of sin, which is the foundational concept of Christ partaking in flesh and blood to conquer sin and death for us.
1 John 3:8This verse explicitly states that Jesus appeared to destroy the works of the devil, providing a clear parallel to Christ's victory over the devil's power of death described in Hebrews 2:14.
ellicottHebrews 2:14: "Forasmuch 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;"
(14) Forasmuch then . . . —The two members of this verse directly recall the thoughts of Hebrews 2:10 ; Hebrews 2:9 . (1) It was the will of God that salvation should be won by the Son for sons; (2) this salvation could only be won by means of death. The children.—Said with refere…
jfbHebrews 2:14: "Forasmuch 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;"
- He who has thus been shown to be the "Captain (Greek, 'Leader') of salvation" to the "many sons," by trusting and suffering like them, must therefore become man like them, in order that His death may be efficacious for them [Alford].the children—before mentioned (Heb 2:13); th…
The verse emphasizes that Jesus "likewise partook" of flesh and blood, not just as a general similarity, but as a deliberate assumption of human frailty with the express purpose of dying. This wasn't an accidental encounter with death, but a necessary step, like a doctor deliberately contracting a mild illness to understand and cure it in others.
The author has been discussing how God's ultimate plan involves bringing many sons to glory, but this required the Son, Jesus, to suffer. Now, the text explains why Jesus had to become human: because humanity is bound by flesh, blood, and ultimately death, Jesus himself had to share in this same mortal existence. This allowed him to face death head-on and defeat the devil, who held humanity captive through the fear and power of death.
The author has been discussing how God's ultimate plan involves bringing many sons to glory, but this required the Son, Jesus, to suffer. Now, the text explains why Jesus had to become human: because humanity is bound by flesh, blood, and ultimately death, Jesus himself had to share in this same mortal existence. This allowed him to face death head-on and defeat the devil, who held humanity captive through the fear and power of death.
"Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil," — The verse emphasizes that Jesus "likewise partook" of flesh and blood, not just as a general similarity, but as a deliberate assumption of human frailty with the express purpose of dying. This wasn…
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Last reviewed October 2026