Hebrews 5:7
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus' "strong cries and tears" weren't just outward expressions of distress; they were "prayers and supplications," indicating that his deepest anguish was channeled into active appeals to God. This suggests that even in his most human and vulnerable moments, Jesus was fundamentally reaching out to the Father, transforming suffering into a form of worship and petition.
Jesus, in the midst of his human suffering, cries out to God in intense prayer and supplication, demonstrating the depth of his struggle. This moment is crucial because it highlights his complete humanity and reliance on God, even as he faces the ultimate ordeal. The text then explains that he was "heard" not necessarily by being spared, but through God's response to his reverent submission, setting the stage for his perfected obedience and priesthood.
Jesus cried out with loud noises and tears. What does this reveal about his humanity and our own prayer lives?
Hebrews 5:7 paints a vivid picture of Jesus in his deepest human struggle: "In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears." This isn't a distant, stoic figure; it's Jesus, fully human, experiencing intense emotional and spiritual agony.
A Human Heart Under Pressure
The descriptions "strong crying" and "tears" highlight the raw, unadulterated humanity Jesus embraced. He wasn't just reciting words; he was pouring out his soul, deeply distressed, facing the unimaginable weight of sin and separation from the Father. This wasn't a display of weakness, but a testament to the depth of his human experience and his complete surrender to the Father's will, even when it meant overwhelming suffering.
Our Prayers and His Example
This scene is incredibly relatable. How often do we approach God in times of deep crisis, our prayers choked with emotion, our tears flowing freely? Jesus' example here validates those profound moments. He shows us that genuine prayer can be messy, emotional, and even desperate. It's not about perfect articulation, but about bringing our true, often fragile, selves before God, trusting He hears us.
Jesus was heard, not because his prayer was eloquent, but because of his 'reverence.' What does this specific kind of reverence mean?
The verse concludes with a profound reason for Jesus being heard: "and he was heard because of his reverence." This word, 'reverence' (Greek: eulabeia), doesn't just mean being scared or timid. It points to a deep, abiding respect and awe for God, coupled with a cautious, humble submission to His will.
Awe-Filled Submission
Jesus' reverence wasn't a passive fear, but an active, profound recognition of God's holiness and authority. It was a submission that acknowledged the Father's power and wisdom, even when it led to unimaginable suffering. His prayer was not a demand to avoid the 'cup' of suffering, but a plea that God's will be done, even through that agony. This deep reverence secured his Father's attention and favor.
Understand the original words
sarx · Greek Noun
A period of time or state of human existence characterized by mortality, weakness, and vulnerability to temptation and suffering, which the Son of God voluntarily assumed at the incarnation.
deēsis · Greek Noun
Petitions or requests made to God, often involving the confession of need and total dependence on His mercy and power. In the Bible, these are characterized by humility, persistence, and trust in God's character.
thanatos · Greek Noun
The finality of human life resulting from sin, but also the physical event through which all must pass unless Christ returns. In the context of Christ, it refers to the separation of body and soul that He experienced for humanity.
eulabeia · Greek Noun
This verse speaks to Jesus' profound human experience of suffering and prayer during his final hours. It highlights his complete humanity and his absolute dependence on God, even as he faced the horror of death and the weight of atonement.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Agony in Gethsemane
During his final days, Jesus experienced intense emotional and spiritual anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane, praying fervently for deliverance while submitting to God's will. This event is widely seen as the primary context for Hebrews 5:7.
c. 30 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus was crucified, enduring immense physical suffering and ultimately death, as the atoning sacrifice for humanity's sins.
c. 30 AD
Resurrection of Jesus
Three days after his crucifixion, Jesus was raised from the dead, demonstrating his victory over death and validating his identity and mission.
c. 48-50 AD
Paul's First Missionary Journey
The Apostle Paul travels and preaches, establishing early Christian communities and laying the groundwork for future theological development.
This Old Testament psalm expresses deep anguish and a cry to God for help, mirroring the cries and tears Jesus offered in his hour of suffering.
Luke 22:44This passage directly describes Jesus in agony, praying more earnestly, with his sweat becoming like great drops of blood, amplifying the intensity mentioned in Hebrews.
John 12:27-28Here Jesus declares his soul is troubled and prays 'Father, save me from this hour,' echoing the sentiments and the plea to be saved from death described in Hebrews.
Isaiah 50:5-7This prophecy speaks of a suffering servant who, though afflicted, did not turn away but set his face like flint, reflecting Christ's resolve to obey despite his fears and suffering.
Philippians 2:8This verse states Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross—underscoring the obedience learned through suffering that Hebrews 5:7-8 highlights.
ellicottHebrews 5:7: "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;"
(7, 8) Who in the days of his flesh . . . —It will be observed that, of the two essential conditions mentioned in Hebrews 5:2 and Hebrews 5:4 , the latter is first taken up in its application to Christ ( Hebrews 5:5-6 ). This verse and the next correspond to the general thought of Hebrews 5:1-2…
barnesHebrews 5:7: "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;"
Who - That is, the Lord Jesus - for so the connection demands. The object of this verse and the two following is, to show that the Lord Jesus had that qualification for the office of priest to which he had referred in Hebrews 5:2 . It was one important qualification for that office that he who s…
Jesus' "strong cries and tears" weren't just outward expressions of distress; they were "prayers and supplications," indicating that his deepest anguish was channeled into active appeals to God. This suggests that even in his most human and vulnerable moments, Jesus was fundamentally reaching out to the Father, transforming suffering into a form of worship and petition.
Jesus, in the midst of his human suffering, cries out to God in intense prayer and supplication, demonstrating the depth of his struggle. This moment is crucial because it highlights his complete humanity and reliance on God, even as he faces the ultimate ordeal. The text then explains that he was "heard" not necessarily by being spared, but through God's response to his reverent submission, setting the stage for his perfected obedience and priesthood.
Jesus, in the midst of his human suffering, cries out to God in intense prayer and supplication, demonstrating the depth of his struggle. This moment is crucial because it highlights his complete humanity and reliance on God, even as he faces the ultimate ordeal. The text then explains that he was "heard" not necessarily by being spared, but through God's response to his reverent submission, setting the stage for his perfected obedience and priesthood.
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Reverence in Our Prayers
This concept is crucial for us. When we pray, are we bringing our requests with a genuine awe and respect for God's sovereignty? Are we willing to submit to His will, even if it means enduring hardship? True reverence allows us to bring our deepest needs and fears to God, trusting that He hears us, not just because we ask, but because we approach Him with humble awe and a desire to align with His purposes.
A state of pious devotion, godly fear, or reverence toward God that involves proper respect, awe, and submission to His will. It signifies a disposition that is pleasing to God.
eisakouō · Greek Verb
The act of hearing and responding to a request; in a biblical context, it implies that God not only hears the voice of the petitioner but actively intervenes or answers according to His sovereign will.
c. 64 AD
Great Fire of Rome
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c. 67-68 AD
Martyrdom of Peter and Paul
The Apostle Peter and the Apostle Paul are martyred in Rome, likely during Nero's persecution, a significant event for the early church.
"In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence." — Jesus' "strong cries and tears" weren't just outward expressions of distress; they were "prayers and supplications," indicating that his deepest anguish was channeled into active appeals to God. This…
