But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that Jesus was "crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death," not just in spite of it. This emphasizes that His exaltation wasn't a contradiction to His suffering, but its direct result and reward, underscoring that divine glory is often forged through sacrificial obedience.
But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is contrasting the promise of humanity's dominion from Psalm 8 with its current, fallen state, explaining that Jesus, though temporarily humbled below the angels, is the one who will ultimately fulfill this dominion. The passage emphasizes that Jesus' suffering and death were not signs of failure but the very means by which he was crowned with glory and honor. This exaltation and his tasting of death for everyone are presented as the foundation for God's grace and humanity's future restoration.
The Old Testament spoke of humanity's future glory, but where is that reality today? The author of Hebrews points to a specific person who fulfills this ancient word.
The writer of Hebrews is drawing from Psalm 8, which speaks of humanity's dominion over creation. However, the psalm's vision of man's glory isn't fully realized in the world we see. Instead of focusing on humanity's current state, the author shifts our gaze to Jesus.
A Glimpse of Fulfillment
We don't yet see 'all things' subjected to humanity as Psalm 8 proclaims. But, the author argues, we do see Jesus. He is the one who, though briefly made lower than the angels, is now crowned with glory and honor. This isn't just a poetic interpretation; it's a declaration that in Jesus, the intended glory of humanity, as God originally designed it, is being realized.
How can suffering and death lead to glory and honor? The author connects Jesus' humiliation directly to his exaltation, revealing a divine logic that turns suffering into triumph.
The suffering and death of Jesus might seem like the end of his story, a scandal to some. However, Hebrews 2:9 presents it as the very reason for his coronation.
Suffering's Purpose
Instead of viewing Jesus' humiliation as a detour, the text presents it as the necessary path glory. The phrase 'because of the suffering of death' is key here. It means his crowning wasn't in spite of his suffering, but of it. His obedience unto death earned him his place of supreme honor and authority.
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This is a profound reversal of typical human understanding. We often see glory and suffering as opposites. But here, suffering is the crucible that refines and qualifies Jesus for his glorious reign.
Jesus 'tasted death for everyone.' What does this profound statement truly mean, and who does it encompass?
The ultimate purpose of Jesus' suffering and death was not just his own glorification, but a cosmic victory that benefits all humanity. The phrase 'taste death for everyone' carries immense weight.
The Extent of the Atonement
This means Jesus experienced the full reality of death – its finality, its separation from God – on behalf of all people. It was a purposeful act, undertaken 'by the grace of God.' This wasn't an accidental event, but a deliberate divine provision to make salvation possible for everyone.
The commentators grapple with the precise meaning of 'everyone,' but the consistent theme is that Jesus' death was comprehensive in its design. It dealt with sin in such a way that it renders salvation available to all who believe, removing the ultimate barrier that separated humanity from God.
Understand the original words
charis · Greek Noun
The unmerited favor and divine enablement of God, which is the sole basis for the salvation of sinners and the sustaining power for the believer's life.
thanatos · Greek Noun
The final consequence of sin and the physical separation of the soul from the body; for believers, it is conquered by Christ and transformed from an end to a passage.
This verse speaks to a time when Jewish Christians were tempted to stumble over the apparent weakness of the cross, a stark contrast to the messianic expectations rooted in Old Testament promises. The author of Hebrews reminds them that Jesus' temporary humiliation and suffering were not an end but the necessary path to His ultimate glory and the source of salvation for all.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
King David unites the tribes of Israel and establishes Jerusalem as the capital, ushering in a golden age for the united monarchy. The Psalms, including Psalm 8, are composed during this period, reflecting on God's creation and humanity's place within it.
c. 597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
As the Babylonian Empire rises, King Jehoiachin and many skilled artisans and nobles are exiled from Judah to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the exile and a period of great national distress.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and deport the remaining population. This catastrophic event profoundly shapes Jewish identity and theology, leading to deep reflection on God's judgment and covenant promises.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, allowing Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This marks the end of the Babylonian exile and the beginning of the Second Temple period.
c. 1st Century AD— this verse
Roman Rule in Judea
Judea is under Roman occupation, a time of political tension and religious expectation. The backdrop of Roman power influences the context in which Jesus' life, death, and resurrection occur and the early church spreads its message.
c. AD 60-70
Composition of Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews is written, likely to a community of Jewish Christians struggling with assimilation and the temptation to revert to Judaism. The author seeks to encourage them by demonstrating the superiority of Christ to the Old Covenant.
This passage directly parallels Jesus' humiliation and subsequent exaltation, mirroring how Hebrews 2:9 describes Him being made lower than angels only to be crowned with glory and honor.
Isaiah 53:10This prophetic passage speaks of the Suffering Servant 'making his life an offering for sin' and seeing 'the fruit of the travail of his soul,' which resonates with Jesus tasting death 'for everyone' as described in Hebrews 2:9.
Psalm 8:4-6Hebrews 2:6-8 quotes this psalm concerning man's dominion, and Hebrews 2:9 highlights Jesus as the one who fulfills this psalm's intent, though not in the way initially expected, by first suffering death.
1 Corinthians 1:23This verse addresses the 'stumbling block' of a crucified Messiah, which directly relates to Hebrews 2:9's emphasis on Christ being crowned with glory and honor *because of* the suffering of death, reframing the cross from an offense to a path to glory.
Hebrews 12:2This verse echoes Hebrews 2:9 by mentioning Jesus as the 'founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of God,' connecting His suffering directly to His glorious position.
pooleHebrews 2:9: "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels: this second application of the psalmist’s words demonstrates Jesus, the gospel Prophet, to be the man or Adam intended by the Spirit there; and his humiliation and exaltation to be the matter asserted of him: see Hebrews 2:7 . For the suf…
jfbHebrews 2:9: "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."
- But—We see not man as yet exercising lordship over all things, "but rather, Him who was made a little lower than the angels (compare Lu 22:43), we behold (by faith: a different Greek verb from that for 'we see,' Heb 2:8, which expresses the impression which our eyes passively receive from objects…
The verse highlights that Jesus was "crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death," not just in spite of it. This emphasizes that His exaltation wasn't a contradiction to His suffering, but its direct result and reward, underscoring that divine glory is often forged through sacrificial obedience.
The author is contrasting the promise of humanity's dominion from Psalm 8 with its current, fallen state, explaining that Jesus, though temporarily humbled below the angels, is the one who will ultimately fulfill this dominion. The passage emphasizes that Jesus' suffering and death were not signs of failure but the very means by which he was crowned with glory and honor. This exaltation and his tasting of death for everyone are presented as the foundation for God's grace and humanity's future restoration.
The author is contrasting the promise of humanity's dominion from Psalm 8 with its current, fallen state, explaining that Jesus, though temporarily humbled below the angels, is the one who will ultimately fulfill this dominion. The passage emphasizes that Jesus' suffering and death were not signs of failure but the very means by which he was crowned with glory and honor. This exaltation and his tasting of death for everyone are presented as the foundation for God's grace and humanity's future restoration.
"But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone." — The verse highlights that Jesus was "crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death," not just in spite of it. This emphasizes that His exaltation wasn't a contradiction to His suff…
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Last reviewed October 2026