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Hebrews 5:8

ESV Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.
NIV Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered
NASB Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.
CSB Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.
NLT Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.
KJV Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
NKJV though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

What does Hebrews 5:8 mean?

It is difficult to fully understand the relationship between Jesus' divinity and His humanity. As God, Christ had access to divine omniscience and omnipotence. However, according to Scripture, He chose to experience human weaknesses such as hunger and fatigue (Matthew 4:2; John 4:6). And, according to this and other verses, He also chose to experience learning and growth. Just as in Luke 2:52, Jesus is said to have "learned" through His struggles. It should be noted that, in the context of the original writing, the concept of "learning" is intimately tied to the idea of "experiencing." The focus of this verse is not so much on Jesus becoming aware of what suffering is, but Jesus actually putting into practice what He was called to do.

The greater point made here is that Jesus completely fulfilled the role of a human high priest. By experiencing our temptations (Hebrews 4:15), offering prayers and supplications (Hebrews 5:7), through an appointment by God (Hebrews 5:5–6), Christ is truly the only High Priest we could ever need.

There is a poetic rhyme in this verse which does not translate into English. The Greek words for "He learned" and "He suffered" are emathen and epathen, respectively.
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