Hebrews 5:7

Hebrews 5:7 (KJV): "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;"

Context

Hebrews 5:7 is part of a larger discussion in the Book of Hebrews that establishes Jesus Christ's qualifications as a superior High Priest. The author emphasizes that Jesus, unlike the Levitical priests, did not take this honor upon Himself but was appointed by God. To underscore His suitability, the text highlights Jesus' humanity and His capacity to sympathize with human weakness, a crucial aspect of His priestly role. This verse specifically points to a profound moment of His earthly life that demonstrated His full humanity and dependence on the Father, likely alluding to His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion.

Key Themes

• The Humanity of Christ: This verse powerfully portrays Jesus' genuine human experience, including intense emotional and spiritual suffering. He truly lived "in the days of his flesh," facing the same limitations, temptations, and sorrows as humanity, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
• Fervent Prayer and Dependence: Jesus' "strong crying and tears" reveal the depth of His anguish and His absolute reliance on God the Father. Even as the Son of God, He modeled fervent prayer as the means to navigate extreme trials and fulfill God's will. This powerful intercession underlines His role as our great High Priest who ever lives to make intercession for us.
• Divine Hearing and Deliverance: The phrase "and was heard in that he feared" is pivotal. It does not mean Jesus was saved from experiencing physical death, as He clearly died on the cross. Instead, it signifies that He was heard concerning His ultimate deliverance from the power of death and the grave. His prayer was answered in His resurrection, confirming God's acceptance of His sacrifice and His ultimate victory over death (Romans 6:9). This hearing was a testament to His reverence and obedience.
• Obedience Through Suffering: This verse, along with the following ones in Hebrews 5, lays the groundwork for understanding how Christ "learned obedience by the things which he suffered" (Hebrews 5:8), ultimately becoming the source of eternal salvation.

Linguistic Insights

• "strong crying and tears": The Greek word for "strong crying" (kraugēs) denotes a loud, vehement cry, often associated with distress or urgency. Coupled with "tears," it paints a vivid picture of Jesus' profound agony, likely referencing His prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane where He prayed with such intensity that His sweat became like drops of blood (Luke 22:44).
• "save him from death": This phrase, in context, implies being saved from the ultimate power or permanence of death, rather than from the act of dying itself. Jesus' prayers were for the strength to endure the cross and for the Father's will to be done, knowing that His mission required His death and subsequent resurrection to conquer death's hold.
• "was heard in that he feared": The word "feared" (eulabeias) here doesn't imply terror or cowardice. Instead, it refers to profound reverence, piety, or godly awe. It suggests that Jesus' prayers were heard because of His perfect submission, devotion, and reverence to the Father's will, even in the face of immense suffering. His "fear" was an expression of perfect obedience and trust in God's plan.

Practical Application

Hebrews 5:7 offers profound comfort and instruction for believers today:

• Empathy of Christ: We have a High Priest who fully understands our struggles, temptations, and sorrows. Because He experienced intense suffering and reliance on God, we can approach Him with confidence, knowing He sympathizes with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:16).
• Model for Prayer: Jesus' example teaches us the importance of fervent, persistent, and honest prayer, especially in times of deep distress. We are encouraged to pour out our hearts to God, trusting that He hears us, even if His answer is not always what we expect but is always according to His perfect will.
• Trust in God's Deliverance: Just as Jesus was "heard" and delivered from death's power through resurrection, believers can trust that God hears their prayers and will ultimately deliver them, whether from immediate danger or through eternal salvation, according to His divine purpose.