Hebrews 13:3

KJV

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; [and] them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

KJV (with Strong's)

Remember {G3403} them that are in bonds {G1198}, as {G5613} bound with them {G4887}; and them which suffer adversity {G2558}, as {G5613} being {G5607} yourselves {G846} also {G2532} in {G1722} the body {G4983}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Remember those in prison and being mistreated, as if you were in prison with them and undergoing their torture yourselves.

Berean Standard Bible

Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them.

American Standard Version

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; them that are ill-treated, as being yourselves also in the body.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 13:3 issues a profound call to radical empathy and active solidarity within the Christian community, urging believers to deeply identify with and practically support those who are suffering, particularly those imprisoned or facing severe hardship for their faith. This verse transcends mere sympathy, demanding a visceral connection to the pain and vulnerability of fellow believers, recognizing a shared humanity and spiritual interconnectedness that compels compassionate action.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hebrews 13 marks a pivot in the epistle from profound theological exposition, particularly concerning the superiority of Christ's priesthood and the New Covenant, to practical exhortations for Christian living. This concluding chapter provides a series of moral duties and ethical responsibilities that flow directly from the rich doctrinal truths previously laid out. Verse 3 is embedded within a cluster of commands related to brotherly love (`philadelphia`), hospitality, and purity, emphasizing that genuine faith is not merely intellectual assent but is expressed through tangible acts of love and social responsibility within the community and towards those outside it. It serves as a reminder that the high calling of Christ demands a practical outworking in daily life, especially in relation to suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Christian community, to whom the Book of Hebrews was addressed, often faced significant persecution, social ostracization, and legal repercussions for their faith. Imprisonment was a common reality for apostles and ordinary believers alike, as seen in the experiences of Paul, Peter, and countless others. Those in prison were particularly vulnerable, often relying on the community for food, clothing, and legal advocacy. Roman society, while having some forms of charity, did not typically extend such care to those deemed criminals or religious dissidents. Thus, the command to "remember those in bonds" was not a theoretical ideal but a dangerous and costly act of practical love, demonstrating allegiance to Christ above all else, even at personal risk. This context underscores the counter-cultural nature of Christian compassion.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Hebrews and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights **communal responsibility and unity**, emphasizing that the suffering of one member affects the entire body of Christ, a concept powerfully articulated in [1 Corinthians 12:26](/1_corinthians/12-26 "1 Corinthians 12:26 - The Suffering of the Body of Christ"). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **empathetic identification**, moving beyond mere pity to a profound sense of shared experience, as if the suffering were one's own. This deep identification is a hallmark of Christian love, mirroring Christ's own identification with humanity. Thirdly, it calls for **practical compassion and active love**, echoing Jesus' teachings on serving "the least of these" in [Matthew 25:36](/matthew/25-36 "Matthew 25:36 - Visiting the Imprisoned"). Finally, the phrase "as being yourselves also in the body" subtly introduces the theme of **shared human vulnerability**, reminding believers that all are susceptible to suffering and thus have a basis for understanding and responding to the pain of others, fostering humility and mutual dependence, much like the call to [bear one another's burdens](/galatians/6-2 "Galatians 6:2 - Bearing Burdens").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remember (Greek, _mimnḗskō'_):** From G3403, this word implies more than a passive recollection; it denotes an active, mindful remembrance that leads to practical concern and action. It suggests keeping someone in one's thoughts in such a way that it prompts prayer, support, or advocacy.
* **Bound with them (Greek, _syndéō'_):** From G4887, this compound word (σύν "with" + δέω "to bind") literally means "to bind with" or "to be bound together." In this context, it is used figuratively to describe a deep, empathetic solidarity, as if one were a fellow-prisoner. It conveys a profound sense of shared experience and suffering, transcending mere sympathy to active identification.
* **Body (Greek, _sōma'_):** From G4983, this term refers to the physical body, but in a very wide application, encompassing the entirety of human existence in its physical, vulnerable form. Here, "in the body" emphasizes our shared humanity and physical susceptibility to suffering, providing the common ground for empathy and mutual care.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them;":** This clause issues a direct command to actively recall and care for those who are imprisoned or literally "in chains" (Greek: _desmiois_). The crucial qualifier "as bound with them" elevates this remembrance from a detached thought to a profound, empathetic identification. Believers are called to feel the pain, restriction, and vulnerability of the prisoners as if they themselves were experiencing the same confinement and hardship. This demands a radical solidarity that transcends physical separation and personal comfort.
* **"and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.":** This second clause broadens the scope of the command beyond literal prisoners to include all who "suffer adversity" or are "maltreated" (Greek: _kakouchéō_). This encompasses a wider range of hardships, persecutions, or ill-treatment. The accompanying phrase "as being yourselves also in the body" provides the theological and existential basis for such empathy. It reminds believers of their shared human condition, their own physical vulnerability to suffering, illness, and mortality. Because we all inhabit physical bodies susceptible to pain and hardship, we possess an inherent capacity to understand and relate to the suffering of others, compelling us to respond with compassion.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs powerful **Simile** and **Metaphor** to convey its message of profound empathy. The phrase "as bound with them" functions as a simile, drawing a direct comparison between the believer's internal state and the literal bondage of the prisoner, urging a metaphorical shared imprisonment. Similarly, "as being yourselves also in the body" uses the shared physical reality of human existence as a basis for identifying with those who "suffer adversity." There is also a strong element of **Parallelism** in the structure of the two clauses, each presenting a group of sufferers and then a corresponding basis for empathetic identification. This rhetorical structure reinforces the universality of the call to compassion. The overall tone is one of urgent **Exhortation**, characteristic of the concluding sections of the epistle, designed to move the readers to immediate and tangible action.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 13:3 stands as a powerful testament to the New Testament emphasis on the unity of the body of Christ and the practical outworking of Christian love. It underscores that genuine faith is not merely a private spiritual experience but demands active engagement with the suffering of others, particularly fellow believers. This command reflects the very nature of God, who identifies with the suffering of His people, and the example of Christ, who fully entered into human experience to redeem it. The call to remember and suffer alongside others is a call to participate in the fellowship of Christ's sufferings, demonstrating a profound spiritual solidarity that transcends personal comfort and societal norms. It reminds us that our spiritual well-being is intrinsically linked to the well-being of our community, especially its most vulnerable members.

* [Galatians 6:2](/galatians/6-2 "Galatians 6:2 - Bearing One Another's Burdens")
* [1 Corinthians 12:26](/1_corinthians/12-26 "1 Corinthians 12:26 - The Interconnectedness of the Body")
* [Matthew 25:34-40](/matthew/25-34-40 "Matthew 25:34-40 - The Judgment of the Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 13:3 remains profoundly relevant for believers today, challenging us to move beyond passive sympathy to active, empathetic solidarity with those who suffer. In a world often marked by indifference, this verse calls us to cultivate a heart that truly feels with the afflicted, whether they are imprisoned for their faith, victims of injustice, or enduring hardship due to poverty, conflict, or natural disaster. It demands that we not only pray for them but also seek tangible ways to alleviate their suffering, advocate for their freedom, or provide practical support. This requires intentionally stepping out of our comfort zones, listening to the stories of the marginalized, and allowing their pain to genuinely impact us. Recognizing our own shared vulnerability "in the body" fosters humility and a deep sense of interconnectedness, reminding us that any one of us could face similar trials, thereby compelling us to act with compassion and grace, reflecting the love of Christ to a hurting world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my current understanding of "remembering" those who suffer compare to the active, identifying remembrance called for in this verse?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to actively identify with and support someone "in bonds" or "suffering adversity," whether locally or globally?**
* **In what ways does recognizing my own "body" and shared human vulnerability deepen my capacity for empathy and compassion towards others?**
* **How might my church community better embody the solidarity and practical care for the suffering that Hebrews 13:3 describes?**

### FAQ
**What does "remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them" truly mean for believers today?**

Answer: This phrase calls for a profound, active empathy that goes beyond mere intellectual recall or distant pity. "Remember" (Greek _mimnḗskō_) implies an active, caring remembrance that leads to practical action. "As bound with them" means to identify so deeply with the suffering of those imprisoned or persecuted that it feels as if you are literally sharing their chains and their hardship. For believers today, this means not only praying for the persecuted church and those unjustly imprisoned but also actively seeking ways to support them through advocacy, financial aid to organizations working for justice, or direct engagement where possible. It's about cultivating a heart that truly feels the pain of others as if it were one's own, recognizing the unity of the body of Christ (as seen in [1 Corinthians 12:26](/1_corinthians/12-26 "1 Corinthians 12:26 - The Suffering of the Body of Christ")).

**Why does the verse add "as being yourselves also in the body"?**

Answer: This phrase serves as the foundational reason and motivation for such radical empathy. "In the body" refers to our shared human condition and physical vulnerability. It reminds us that we are all susceptible to suffering, illness, pain, and hardship. Because we share a common humanity and physical existence, we have an innate capacity to understand and relate to the experiences of others, even if we haven't personally endured the exact same trials. This shared vulnerability fosters humility and removes any sense of detachment or superiority, compelling us to respond with compassion and solidarity. It underscores that our shared physical existence is the basis for our shared responsibility to care for one another, as highlighted in [Galatians 6:2](/galatians/6-2 "Galatians 6:2 - Bearing One Another's Burdens").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 13:3 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the supreme example of one who "remembered those in bonds" and identified with those who "suffer adversity," not merely as an act of sympathy but through profound incarnation and suffering. The author of Hebrews consistently portrays Jesus as our High Priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, having been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). He entered fully "in the body" to experience human frailty, pain, and even death, ultimately being "bound" to the cross for the sins of the world. His life was one of constant identification with the marginalized and suffering, culminating in His own unjust suffering and imprisonment leading to crucifixion. When Jesus declared in [Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - Serving the Least of These"), "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me," He revealed that our acts of compassion toward the imprisoned and suffering are, in fact, acts of service to Him. Thus, our call to identify with the suffering is not just a moral imperative but an invitation to participate in the very heart of Christ, who perfectly embodied solidarity with broken humanity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 25:36

Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Hebrews 10:34

For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

Romans 12:15

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

1 Corinthians 12:26

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

Galatians 6:1

¶ Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Galatians 6:2

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Colossians 4:18

The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace [be] with you. Amen.