how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse subtly highlights that "neglect" is the trigger for our failure to escape judgment, not necessarily active rebellion. It emphasizes that this great salvation, initiated by the Lord Himself and then affirmed by those who heard Him, demands more than just passive acknowledgement; it requires active heed.
how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is emphasizing the immense value and divine origin of the salvation offered through Jesus, contrasting it with the authority given to angels in the Old Testament. This sets up a stark warning: if the message delivered by angels through Moses brought serious consequences for disobedience, how much worse will the judgment be for those who ignore the even greater salvation first spoken by the Lord himself and then confirmed by his followers. The immediate context highlights that this salvation is not something to be taken lightly, as its neglect leads to inevitable peril.
What does it mean to 'neglect' something so monumental as salvation? It’s not about outright rejection, but a chillingly passive danger.
This verse throws a spotlight on the word 'neglect.' It's easy to think that escaping divine judgment requires active defiance or wicked deeds. But the author of Hebrews warns that simply failing to heed or embrace this great salvation carries its own severe penalty.
Before Jesus, the message of salvation was hinted at. But His coming changed everything, making this salvation uniquely 'great.'
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The author points to the source and confirmation of our salvation to underscore its immense value.
Understand the original words
sōtēria · Greek Noun
Used here in the context of the gospel; it represents the totality of God's act of delivering humanity from sin, death, and judgment through Jesus Christ. It is the core message of the Christian faith.
The author emphasizes that the salvation offered through Jesus is not a new or unconfirmed message, but one that originated with God Himself, was spoken by Jesus, and then reliably passed down through His immediate followers. This context highlights the severe consequences of neglecting such a divinely validated and historically attested salvation.
c. 4 BC - c. AD 30/33— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Teaching
Jesus begins his public ministry, proclaiming the 'great salvation' and teaching about the Kingdom of God. His message is spread by his disciples who witnessed his miracles and teachings firsthand.
c. AD 30/33
The Ascension of Jesus
After his resurrection, Jesus ascends to heaven, leaving his disciples to carry on his mission and spread the Gospel message to the world.
c. AD 30s - AD 60s
Apostolic Ministry
The apostles, those who directly heard Jesus, actively preach and confirm the message of salvation throughout Judea and beyond, establishing early Christian communities.
c. AD 60s
Composition of the Epistle to the Hebrews
The author, who identifies with the 'us' who received the message from the hearers of Jesus (placing himself in the second generation of Christians), writes this epistle to Jewish Christians.
This verse highlights the authority of Jesus' words, emphasizing that rejecting what He says is equivalent to rejecting God Himself, directly paralleling the danger of neglecting salvation spoken by the Lord in Hebrews.
John 12:48Jesus himself states that His words will judge people in the last day. This connects with Hebrews 2:3 by showing that neglecting or disregarding those words (the message of salvation) has eternal consequences.
Acts 4:12This passage declares that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus. Hebrews 2:3 implies a 'great salvation' spoken by the Lord, and Acts 4:12 reinforces that this unique and great salvation is exclusively through Him, making its neglect even more perilous.
Hebrews 12:25This verse directly warns about the consequences of refusing to listen to God speaking on earth, stating that if those under the old covenant did not escape, how much less will we escape if we reject the message from heaven. This strongly echoes the rhetorical question in Hebrews 2:3.
wesleyHebrews 2:3: "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;"
2:3 So great a salvation - A deliverance from so great wickedness and misery, into so great holiness and happiness. This was first spoken of (before he came it was not known) by Him who is the Lord - of angels as well as men. And was confirmed to us - Of this age, even every article of it. By them that had heard him - And had…
ellicottHebrews 2:3: "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;"
(3) How shall we escape? —In a different context these words might naturally mean, “How shall we, transgressors of the law, escape from the penalty it threatens, if we neglect the one means of deliverance now offered us?” (Comp. Galatians 3:13 ; Galatians 4:5 .) Here, however, are placed in contrast the command and threatening…
The verse subtly highlights that "neglect" is the trigger for our failure to escape judgment, not necessarily active rebellion. It emphasizes that this great salvation, initiated by the Lord Himself and then affirmed by those who heard Him, demands more than just passive acknowledgement; it requires active heed.
The author is emphasizing the immense value and divine origin of the salvation offered through Jesus, contrasting it with the authority given to angels in the Old Testament. This sets up a stark warning: if the message delivered by angels through Moses brought serious consequences for disobedience, how much worse will the judgment be for those who ignore the even greater salvation first spoken by the Lord himself and then confirmed by his followers. The immediate context highlights that this salvation is not something to be taken lightly, as its neglect leads to inevitable peril.
The author is emphasizing the immense value and divine origin of the salvation offered through Jesus, contrasting it with the authority given to angels in the Old Testament. This sets up a stark warning: if the message delivered by angels through Moses brought serious consequences for disobedience, how much worse will the judgment be for those who ignore the even greater salvation first spoken by the Lord himself and then confirmed by his followers. The immediate context highlights that this salvation is not something to be taken lightly, as its neglect leads to inevitable peril.
"how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard," — The verse subtly highlights that "neglect" is the trigger for our failure to escape judgment, not necessarily active rebellion. It emphasizes that this great salvation, initiated by the Lord Himself…
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Last reviewed October 2026