The text highlights Jesus’ prayers and tears in his suffering, not just as a show of distress, but as a profound act of reverence for God's power to save, which is why he was heard. This wasn't a prayer for the absence of suffering, but for deliverance through it, showcasing a faith that trusts God even in the midst of immense pain.
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. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is explaining how Christ is a superior High Priest, able to sympathize with human weakness because he himself experienced intense suffering. This passage focuses on Jesus' human experience of prayer and supplication, particularly during his agony in Gethsemane, to demonstrate his profound emotional struggle and his complete reliance on God. The text emphasizes that despite his divine nature, Jesus genuinely wrestled with the prospect of suffering and death, offering prayers that were ultimately heard and answered, leading to his strengthening and eventual victory over death.
We often think of Jesus as divine, untouched by human suffering. But this verse reveals a profound reality about his earthly life.
The Weight of Humanity
The phrase "in the days of his flesh" is incredibly significant. It's a stark reminder that Jesus, while divine, fully entered into the human condition. This included experiencing intense emotional and spiritual distress. The "strong crying and tears" weren't just a mild sadness; they represent the overwhelming anguish of a human soul facing unimaginable suffering and separation from the Father.
This isn't a denial of his divinity, but a profound affirmation of his humanity. He had to be truly human to represent us and to offer a sacrifice that truly addressed human sin and suffering.
Jesus prayed intensely and was heard, but the reason given isn't what we might expect. What does 'reverence' mean here, and how did it lead to him being heard?
The Power of Godly Fear
The verse states Jesus "was heard because of his reverence." This isn't about being afraid of punishment, but rather a deep, abiding respect and awe for God.
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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
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.
hypakoē · Greek Noun
Submission to the will and commands of God. Biblically, it is not merely outward compliance but an inward posture of trust and yieldedness to the Father's authority, even at great personal cost.
paschō · Greek Verb
To experience pain, distress, or hardship. In a theological sense, suffering is often the context through which faith is tested, sanctification is realized, and Christ-like empathy is developed.
teleioō · Greek Verb
To be brought to a state of completion, maturity, or fitness for a specific purpose. Christ was 'made perfect' not because He was sinful, but because He was equipped through His human experience to be the effective High Priest.
sōtēria · Greek Noun
The ultimate rescue from the consequences of sin, including the penalty, power, and eventually the presence of sin. It is 'eternal' because it is rooted in the unchanging work of Christ and brings believers into a relationship with God that lasts forever.
The verse vividly describes Jesus' human struggle in Gethsemane, highlighting his deep reverence and the Father's hearing of his prayers not by averting death, but by strengthening him to endure it, thus preparing him for his priestly role.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Agony in Gethsemane
Jesus prayed intensely in the Garden of Gethsemane, expressing deep sorrow and distress, asking God to remove the coming suffering if possible, while submitting to God's will.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Crucifixion
Jesus was crucified, enduring immense physical and spiritual suffering, including cries of anguish and a feeling of abandonment.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Resurrection and Ascension
Jesus was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven, signifying the completion of his atoning work and his exaltation.
c. AD 60-65
Authorship of Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews was written during a time of persecution and spiritual weariness for Jewish Christians, urging them to persevere in faith.
This Psalm, which Jesus quotes on the cross, expresses profound distress and a cry to God, mirroring the 'strong crying and tears' mentioned in Hebrews 5:7.
Matthew 26:36-44This passage directly describes Jesus' experience in Gethsemane, detailing his prayers, anguish, and plea for the 'cup' to pass, which is the primary context for Hebrews 5:7.
Luke 22:42-44Luke emphasizes Jesus' intense prayer and the physical manifestation of his suffering in 'sweat like drops of blood,' aligning with the 'strong crying and tears' and the agony described in Hebrews 5:7.
Philippians 2:8This verse states that Jesus 'humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross,' which directly relates to the obedience learned through suffering highlighted in the context of Hebrews 5:7.
Isaiah 53:10This prophecy speaks of the 'offering' of the Suffering Servant and the Lord being 'pleased to crush him,' suggesting the divine purpose behind the suffering and death Jesus endured, which he prayed about in Hebrews 5:7.
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…
The text highlights Jesus’ prayers and tears in his suffering, not just as a show of distress, but as a profound act of reverence for God's power to save, which is why he was heard. This wasn't a prayer for the absence of suffering, but for deliverance through it, showcasing a faith that trusts God even in the midst of immense pain.
The author is explaining how Christ is a superior High Priest, able to sympathize with human weakness because he himself experienced intense suffering. This passage focuses on Jesus' human experience of prayer and supplication, particularly during his agony in Gethsemane, to demonstrate his profound emotional struggle and his complete reliance on God. The text emphasizes that despite his divine nature, Jesus genuinely wrestled with the prospect of suffering and death, offering prayers that were ultimately heard and answered, leading to his strengthening and eventual victory over death.
The author is explaining how Christ is a superior High Priest, able to sympathize with human weakness because he himself experienced intense suffering. This passage focuses on Jesus' human experience of prayer and supplication, particularly during his agony in Gethsemane, to demonstrate his profound emotional struggle and his complete reliance on God. The text emphasizes that despite his divine nature, Jesus genuinely wrestled with the prospect of suffering and death, offering prayers that were ultimately heard and answered, leading to his strengthening and eventual victory over death.
"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. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through wha…" — The text highlights Jesus’ prayers and tears in his suffering, not just as a show of distress, but as a profound act of reverence for God's power to save, which is why he was heard. This wasn't a pra…
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Last reviewed October 2026
