Why in all things it behooved him to be made like to his brothers, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
it.
Hebrews 2:11,14 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, …
Philippians 2:7,8 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: …
a merciful.
Hebrews 3:2,5 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house…
Hebrews 4:15,16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin…
Hebrews 5:1,2 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: …
to make.
Leviticus 6:30 And no sin offering, whereof any of the blood is brought into the tabernacle of the congregation to reconcile withal in the holy place, shall be eaten: it shall be burnt in the fire.
Leviticus 8:15 And he slew it; and Moses took the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation upon it.
2 Chronicles 29:24 And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel: for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel.
so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God
The role of the high priest in the Old Testament was to mediate between God and the people, offering sacrifices for sins (Leviticus 16). Jesus, as the ultimate High Priest, is both merciful and faithful. His mercy is shown in His compassion and understanding of human weakness, having lived as a man. His faithfulness is demonstrated in His obedience to God's will, even unto death (Philippians 2:8). This priesthood is superior to the Levitical priesthood, as it is eternal and perfect (Hebrews 7:24-25).
in order to make atonement for the sins of the people
Atonement refers to the reconciliation between God and humanity, achieved through the sacrificial death of Jesus. In the Old Testament, atonement was made through animal sacrifices, which were temporary and symbolic (Leviticus 17:11). Jesus' sacrifice was once for all, providing a complete and permanent solution for sin (Hebrews 10:10). This fulfills the prophecy of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53, who would bear the iniquities of many. Jesus' atonement is central to the New Covenant, offering forgiveness and restoring the relationship between God and believers (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
- Hebrews 2:17 opens by anchoring everything in what has just been said: because Jesus “shared in flesh and blood” (Hebrews 2:14) and destroyed the devil’s power over death, there is a compelling “reason.”
- Philippians 2:7–8 shows the same motive: Christ “emptied Himself” and was “obedient to death.”
- John 1:14 declares, “The Word became flesh.” All of these passages echo the thought that the incarnation wasn’t optional; it was necessary for God’s saving plan.
- The phrase stresses total identification with humanity—body, mind, emotions, will.
• Romans 8:3 says God sent His Son “in the likeness of sinful man.”
• Galatians 4:4–5 reminds us He was “born of a woman, born under the Law.”
- This full likeness means He experienced hunger (Matthew 4:2), weariness (John 4:6), sorrow (John 11:35), and temptation “yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
- By sharing every aspect of our condition, He qualifies as our representative before God.
- “Merciful” points to His compassionate heart toward struggling sinners (Hebrews 4:16).
- “Faithful” highlights steadfast reliability; He never fails in His priestly duty (Hebrews 3:2).
- As High Priest, Jesus bridges the gap between God and humanity, surpassing the Old Testament priesthood (Hebrews 7:23-28).
- His service is God-ward: He ministers in the true sanctuary (Hebrews 8:1-2), always living to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25).
- The goal of His priestly work is clear—atonement. Unlike animal sacrifices that covered sin temporarily (Leviticus 16:15-17), His sacrifice removes it completely (Hebrews 10:4, 12).
- Romans 3:25 says God presented Christ “as an atoning sacrifice.”
- 1 John 2:2 affirms He is “the atoning sacrifice… for the whole world.”
- By offering Himself, Jesus satisfies God’s justice and extends mercy to all who believe (Isaiah 53:5-6; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Hebrews 2:17 threads together Christ’s incarnation, perfect identification with humanity, compassionate priesthood, and decisive atoning work. Because He truly became one of us, He can faithfully represent us before the Father, offering the once-for-all sacrifice that secures our forgiveness and invites us into confident fellowship with God.
(17) Wherefore.--Since it is "the seed of Abraham," His brethren, that He would help.In all things.--These words must be taken with "made like." In all respects (the single exception does not come into notice here, see Hebrews 4:15) He must be made like to "the brethren" (a reference to Hebrews 2:12): like them, He must be liable to, and must suffer, temptation, sorrow, pain, death.
That he might be.--Rather, that He might prove, or become (the words imply what is more fully expressed in Hebrews 5:8), a compassionate and faithful High Priest. The high priest was the representative of men to God; without such likeness (see Hebrews 5:1-2) He could be no true High Priest for man. The order of the Greek words throws an emphasis on "compassionate" which is in full harmony with what we have seen to be the pervading tone of the chapter. One who has not so understood the infirmities of his brethren as to be "compassionate," cannot be their "faithful" representative before God. But the word "faithful" is still more closely connected with the following words. If through the power of sympathy which the Saviour has gained "by sufferings" He becomes "compassionate" as our High Priest, it is through "the suffering of death" (Hebrews 2:9) that He proves Himself "the faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation (or rather, propitiation) for the sins of the people." The word "high priest," hereafter to be so prominent in the Epistle, is brought in somewhat suddenly, but several expressions in this chapter (see also Hebrews 1:3) have prepared for and led up to the crowning thought here brought before us. The characteristic function of the high priest was his presentation of the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement, that expiation might be made for the sins of the whole people, that the displeasure of God might not rest on the nation on account of sin. (Comp. Hebrews 2:11.) The words rendered "propitiate" and "propitiation" are not of frequent occurrence in the New Testament (Luke 18:13; 1John 2:2; 1John 4:10 Romans 3:25), but are very often found in the LXX. The subject receives its full treatment in Hebrews 9, 10. . . .
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