Hebrews 2:14
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)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The text highlights that Jesus "likewise partook of the same things," not to equalize himself with humanity in every way, but to be "near" enough to humanity in its vulnerability to accomplish salvation through his death. His shared humanity wasn't about a perfect mirror image, but a chosen kinship that allowed him to confront and nullify death's dominion for us.
The author is returning to the main point that Jesus, as the leader of our salvation, had to experience suffering and death to bring many sons to glory. This verse explains why Jesus had to become fully human, sharing in "flesh and blood" just like us. By doing so, He could then conquer death itself and destroy the devil's ultimate power over humanity through His own death.
Why did Jesus need to become like us, flesh and blood and all? It wasn't just a disguise – it was essential for His mission.
The verse emphasizes that Jesus likewise partook of flesh and blood. This wasn't a superficial resemblance but a genuine sharing of our human nature. He entered into our world, our limitations, and our mortality.
Why this matters:
What 'power' did the devil truly have? It wasn't about inflicting death itself, but about the grip fear held over us.
The verse states Jesus came to destroy 'him who had the power of death.' This power isn't about Satan being the ultimate arbiter of who dies. Instead, the commentaries point to his dominion through fear.
The Devil's Grip:
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 directly states that death came through a man (Adam) and that resurrection from the dead also comes through a man (Christ), mirroring Hebrews 2:14's theme of Christ overcoming death through His humanity.
Colossians 1:13It describes God rescuing believers from the dominion of darkness and transferring them to the kingdom of His beloved Son, which aligns with Christ's victory over the devil's power, as stated in Hebrews 2:14.
1 John 3:8This verse explicitly states that the Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil, directly supporting the purpose of Christ's incarnation and death described in Hebrews 2:14.
This ancient text notes that 'through the envy of the devil, death entered into the world,' providing important context for the devil's 'power of death' that Christ came to destroy in Hebrews 2:14.
This verse explains that God sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to condemn sin in the flesh, which is conceptually similar to Christ taking on flesh and blood to overcome the one who held power through death.
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 text highlights that Jesus "likewise partook of the same things," not to equalize himself with humanity in every way, but to be "near" enough to humanity in its vulnerability to accomplish salvation through his death. His shared humanity wasn't about a perfect mirror image, but a chosen kinship that allowed him to confront and nullify death's dominion for us.
The author is returning to the main point that Jesus, as the leader of our salvation, had to experience suffering and death to bring many sons to glory. This verse explains why Jesus had to become fully human, sharing in "flesh and blood" just like us. By doing so, He could then conquer death itself and destroy the devil's ultimate power over humanity through His own death.
The author is returning to the main point that Jesus, as the leader of our salvation, had to experience suffering and death to bring many sons to glory. This verse explains Jesus had to become fully human, sharing in "flesh and blood" just like us. By doing so, He could then conquer death itself and destroy the devil's ultimate power over humanity through His own death.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Hebrews 2:14 is available in the Sola app.
Did Jesus eliminate death entirely? Not in the way we might think. His victory is about rendering death powerless over believers.
The word 'destroy' (katargēsē) here means 'to render powerless,' 'to bring to naught,' or 'to make ineffective.' It's crucial to understand that Jesus didn't eliminate physical death for us in this life. Instead, He neutralized its ultimate sting and power over those who belong to Him.
The Nature of Christ's Victory:
"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 text highlights that Jesus "likewise partook of the same things," not to equalize himself with humanity in every way, but to be "near" enough to humanity in its vulnerability to accomplish salvat…
