Hebrews 2:14

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;

KJV (with Strong's)

Forasmuch {G1893} then {G3767} as the children {G3813} are partakers {G2841} of flesh {G4561} and {G2532} blood {G129}, he {G3348} also {G2532} himself {G846} likewise {G3898} took part {G3348} of the same {G846}; that {G2443} through {G1223} death {G2288} he might destroy {G2673} him that had {G2192} the power {G2904} of death {G2288}, that is {G5123}, the devil {G1228};

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, since the children share a common physical nature as human beings, he became like them and shared that same human nature; so that by his death he might render ineffective the one who had power over death (that is, the Adversary)

Berean Standard Bible

Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil,

American Standard Version

Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 2:14 powerfully articulates the profound necessity of the Incarnation, revealing that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, fully shared in human flesh and blood. This act of divine solidarity was not merely an identification with humanity but a strategic, redemptive mission: through His own death, He decisively disarmed and rendered inoperative the one who wielded the power of death, namely the devil, thereby liberating humanity from its bondage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal statement within a broader theological argument in [Hebrews 2](/hebrews/2 "Hebrews 2 - Christ's Superiority and Humanity"). The author has just established Christ's superiority to angels in [Hebrews 1](/hebrews/1 "Hebrews 1 - Christ's Supremacy Over Angels"), but then immediately addresses why the Son of God was temporarily "made a little lower than the angels" ([Hebrews 2:9](/hebrews/2-9 "Hebrews 2:9 - Jesus Lower Than Angels")). The preceding verses ([Hebrews 2:10-13](/hebrews/2-10-13 "Hebrews 2:10-13 - Christ, the Sanctifier and Brother")) explain that this humiliation was necessary for Jesus to become the perfect "pioneer of their salvation" ([Hebrews 2:10](/hebrews/2-10 "Hebrews 2:10 - Christ, the Pioneer of Salvation")), identifying fully with "the children" (humanity) whom God is bringing to glory. Verse 14 then explicitly states *how* and *why* this full identification in humanity (flesh and blood) was essential for His redemptive work, specifically in conquering death and the devil.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The epistle to the Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were likely facing persecution or temptation to revert to Judaism, possibly due to the perceived scandal of a crucified Messiah. They might have struggled with the idea of a divine Messiah who suffered and died, especially when compared to the glorious, incorporeal angels. The author meticulously demonstrates that Christ's suffering and death were not a sign of weakness or failure, but the very means by which God's eternal plan of salvation was accomplished. The "power of death" was a formidable reality in the ancient world, often personified or attributed to malevolent spiritual forces. The concept of a spiritual adversary, "the devil," was deeply rooted in both Jewish and Hellenistic thought, representing the ultimate source of evil and opposition to God. The author addresses this worldview by showing that Christ's human experience and death directly confronted and defeated this ultimate enemy.

* **Key Themes:** [Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Incarnation and Victory Over Death") is rich with several foundational themes. Firstly, it underscores the **Incarnation and Christ's Full Humanity**, emphasizing that Jesus truly shared in the human condition, experiencing its vulnerabilities, including mortality. This theme is crucial for His role as High Priest, able to sympathize with human weakness ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Christ, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). Secondly, it highlights **Christ's Atoning Work and Victory Over Death**. His death is not a defeat but a strategic, decisive blow against the ultimate consequence of sin—death—and the one who wielded it. This victory is central to the gospel message, as seen in [1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death Through Christ"). Thirdly, the verse addresses the **Defeat of the Devil's Power**. By disarming the devil's primary weapon, Christ liberates humanity from the fear of death and the spiritual bondage it imposed, echoing themes of spiritual warfare found throughout the New Testament, such as in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **destroy (Greek, _katargéō'_):** From G2673, this word means "to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively:--abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void." In this context, it signifies that Christ did not annihilate the devil but rendered his power, specifically his power *over death*, null and void. The devil's authority and ability to hold humanity in bondage through the fear of death have been decisively broken for those in Christ.
* **power (Greek, _krátos'_):** From G2904, this term denotes "vigor ("great") (literally or figuratively):--dominion, might(-ily), power, strength." It refers to the effective, active strength or dominion that the devil possessed over humanity through death. Christ's work on the cross directly confronted and overcame this specific dominion.
* **devil (Greek, _diábolos'_):** From G1228, meaning "a traducer; specially, Satan (compare שָׂטָן):--false accuser, devil, slanderer." This identifies the specific adversary whose power over death is being destroyed. The devil is portrayed as the accuser and the one who has held humanity captive through the fear of death, a fear rooted in humanity's sin and the resulting judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood":** This clause establishes the shared human nature between Jesus and those He came to save. "The children" refers to humanity, specifically those whom God is bringing to glory ([Hebrews 2:10](/hebrews/2-10 "Hebrews 2:10 - Christ, the Pioneer of Salvation")). The phrase "partakers of flesh and blood" emphasizes their full, tangible humanity, encompassing physical existence, vulnerability, and mortality.
* **"he also himself likewise took part of the same;":** This is the core declaration of the Incarnation. "He also himself" refers to Jesus, the Son of God. "Likewise took part of the same" underscores His voluntary and complete identification with humanity. He did not merely appear human but genuinely assumed human nature, sharing in every aspect of physical existence, including its limitations and susceptibility to death, though without sin. This solidarity was essential for Him to represent humanity and to suffer on its behalf.
* **"that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death,":** This clause states the primary purpose (signified by "that," Greek _hína_) of Christ's Incarnation and participation in human nature. The means of victory was "through death"—His own sacrificial death on the cross. The object of this action is "him that had the power of death," which is immediately identified in the subsequent phrase. The verb "destroy" (_katargéō_) here means to render ineffective, to nullify, or to abolish the devil's power.
* **"that is, the devil;":** This final phrase explicitly names the adversary whose power over death is abolished. The devil is identified as the one who has held humanity in bondage through the fear of death, a power he gained through humanity's fall into sin ([Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin and Death Through Adam")). Christ's death directly confronted and disarmed this specific dominion.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews employs several powerful literary devices in [Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Incarnation and Victory Over Death"). **Solidarity** is evident in the repeated emphasis on Christ's shared nature with humanity ("partakers of flesh and blood," "took part of the same"). This highlights His deep identification with those He came to save, making His redemptive work personally relevant and effective. An element of **Antithesis** is present in the contrast between the devil's "power of death" and Christ's conquering of that power *through* death. What was the devil's greatest weapon became the very instrument of his defeat. The verse also functions as a **Purpose Clause**, introduced by "that" (Greek _hína_), clearly stating the divine intention behind the Incarnation and Christ's suffering. This teleological structure emphasizes the deliberate and strategic nature of God's redemptive plan, revealing that Christ's humanity and death were not accidental but divinely purposed for the ultimate victory over evil.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 2:14 is a cornerstone for understanding the profound theological necessity of the Incarnation and the efficacy of Christ's atoning work. It teaches that for Jesus to be a truly sympathetic and effective High Priest ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Christ, Our Sympathetic High Priest")), He had to fully enter into the human experience, including its mortality. His death was not a tragic end but a strategic triumph, disarming the devil's primary weapon—the power of death—which he wielded through sin. This victory liberates believers from the fear of death and the bondage of sin, establishing Christ as the ultimate Victor and the source of eternal life.

* [Romans 8:3](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3 - God Sending His Son in the Likeness of Sinful Flesh")
* [1 Corinthians 15:26](/1_corinthians/15-26 "1 Corinthians 15:26 - The Last Enemy, Death, Will Be Destroyed")
* [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The truth of [Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Incarnation and Victory Over Death") offers immense comfort and profound implications for our daily lives. Knowing that Jesus fully shared in our "flesh and blood" means He truly understands our struggles, temptations, and the pain of human existence. He is not a distant, unfeeling deity but a compassionate High Priest who has walked in our shoes. More importantly, His victory "through death" over "him that had the power of death" means that believers are no longer enslaved by the fear of death or the spiritual bondage imposed by the devil. This freedom empowers us to live lives of courage, hope, and purpose, knowing that our ultimate destiny is secure in Christ, and that the devil's power over our eternal souls has been decisively broken. We are called to live as those who have been liberated, no longer bound by fear but by faith in the One who conquered all.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth of Christ fully sharing in "flesh and blood" deepen your appreciation for His empathy and understanding of your human experience?**
* **In what ways might the "fear of death" or the devil's influence still manifest in your life, and how does Christ's victory in this verse offer liberation?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live more fully in the freedom and hope that Christ's victory over death and the devil provides?**

### FAQ
**Did Jesus literally destroy the devil, or does "destroy" mean something else here?**

Answer: The Greek word translated "destroy" (_katargéō_) does not imply the annihilation or complete obliteration of the devil. Instead, it means to render his power, authority, or effectiveness null and void, to make him inoperative, or to abolish his dominion. In the context of [Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Incarnation and Victory Over Death"), it specifically refers to the devil's power *over death*. Christ's death broke the devil's claim and ability to hold humanity in bondage through the fear of death and the consequences of sin. While the devil still exists and operates in the world, his decisive power to condemn and eternally separate believers from God through death has been shattered by Christ's sacrifice and resurrection. This is a victory over his *authority* and *weapon*, not necessarily his existence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 2:14 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the promised Seed of the woman ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium")) sent to crush the serpent's head. The verse beautifully encapsulates the core of the gospel: the Incarnation was not a mere formality but a strategic necessity for Christ to accomplish redemption. By fully partaking in "flesh and blood," Jesus became the perfect kinsman-redeemer, uniquely qualified to represent humanity before God and to suffer the penalty for sin. His death, far from being a defeat, was the decisive blow against the spiritual forces of evil. Through His crucifixion, burial, and glorious resurrection, Christ disarmed principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")), rendering the devil's power over death ineffective for all who believe. He became "the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits of Resurrection")), demonstrating that death, the devil's ultimate weapon, is now a conquered foe. Thus, Christ's humanity was the means, His death the act, and the devil's dethroned power the glorious result, securing eternal life and freedom for His people ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")).

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

2 Timothy 1:10

But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Romans 8:3

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Colossians 2:15

[And] having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

1 Corinthians 15:54

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

1 Corinthians 15:57

But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Hosea 13:14

I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.