Useful Bible Studies > Hebrews Commentary > chapter 2
The author of Hebrews often astonishes us by the things that he says. But he is very careful to show us that the rest of the Bible also teaches these things. This particular passage is from Psalm 22:22.
Psalm 22 is a passage that everyone should know. It begins with words that Jesus spoke on the cross (Psalms 22:1; Mark 15:34). It includes words that people used to laugh at him there (Psalm 22:7-8; Matthew 27:43).
It describes well how he suffered there. It is a prophecy (message) from God about Jesus’ death. David wrote Psalm 22 about 1000 years before Jesus died. But it seems to describe that event perfectly.
With the words in Hebrews 2:12 (that is, Psalm 22:22), the subject of Psalm 22 suddenly changes. God has answered the prayer of his servant who suffered. And so he gives honour to God. He does that in two ways. He tells his ‘brothers’ how wonderful God is. And he praises God in public. The fact that God has rescued his servant is not just good news for that one man. People everywhere will know God as a result (Psalm 22:27). Even people in future centuries will declare how good God is (Psalm 22:30-31).
The author of Hebrews reminds us about the word that the Psalm uses for God’s people. They are Jesus’ ‘brothers’. That is their relationship with him. He suffered; and now they are his brothers.
Next part: The family of God (Hebrews 2:13)
Please use the links at the top of the page to find our other articles in this series. You can download all our articles if you go to the download page for our free 450 page course book.
© 2014, Keith Simons.