Chapter
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Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Hebrews 2:14
ESV 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,
NIV Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--
NASB Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
CSB Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death--that is, the devil--
NLT Because God’s children are human beings — made of flesh and blood — the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.
KJV 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;

What does Hebrews 2:14 mean?

According to the prior verses, Jesus' role as the "Captain" of our salvation includes taking on the suffering we experience as human beings. The writer of Hebrews has already explained that the Messiah could not be an angel, according to passages in the Old Testament. In addition, angels cannot truly experience human suffering, so they cannot be an example for people to follow. As a man, however, Jesus Christ is able to do exactly that. Part of that example was laid out in verses 12 and 13, which quoted from both the Psalms and the prophet Isaiah. Those references showed the idea of trusting God despite temporary hardships.

Satan is referred to here as wielding the power of death, which follows from his role in the fall. It was Satan who tempted man to sin (Genesis 3:1–7), and Satan who continues to tempt men today (Ephesians 4:27; 1 John 3:8; 1 Peter 5:8). Following that temptation leads to both physical and spiritual death (Romans 6:23). Sin, rather than making us free, makes us its slaves. This is a topic the next verse will describe in detail.

This verse clearly presents the reason why Jesus, the Promised One, had to become human in order to be the perfect "founder" of salvation. His humanity allowed Him to experience the same things normal people do. This makes His perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection a valid example for us to follow. Specifically, this perfect life and sinless sacrifice "destroys" Satan, who has the power of death. This concept of destruction is from the Greek term katargēsē, which means "to counter, negate, deactivate, or abolish."

In other words, by taking on human form, Jesus Christ shattered the enslaving control which the fear of death has on humanity (2 Timothy 1:10; Colossians 2:15; 1 John 3:8).
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