For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

HEBREWS 2:18KJV
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Hebrews 2:18 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 2:18 mean?

Hebrews 2:18 says that because Jesus himself suffered and was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. The verse highlights Jesus’ personal experience with suffering and temptation as the reason he can truly support others facing similar struggles.

The writer of Hebrews is explaining to Jewish Christians that Jesus, though divine, fully experienced human challenges. This verse comes in a section showing how Jesus became like those he came to save, sharing in their hardships. The point is that Jesus’ ability to help is rooted in his real, lived experience of suffering and temptation.

The Greek behind Hebrews 2:18

  • "Tempted" (πειράζω, peirazō): This Greek word can mean both being tempted to do wrong and being tested through hardship. The verse uses it twice, emphasizing that Jesus faced real tests and temptations, not just theoretical ones.
  • "Succour" (βοηθέω, boētheō): This word means to come to someone’s aid or help them in a time of need. It suggests active, compassionate help, not just distant sympathy.
  • "Suffered" (πάσχω, paschō): This word refers to enduring pain or hardship. The verse stresses that Jesus’ suffering was genuine, making his help all the more meaningful.

Why Hebrews 2:18 matters

  • Hebrews 2:18 clears up the idea that Jesus was somehow untouched by real human struggle; instead, it stresses that he truly experienced suffering and temptation.
  • The verse highlights that Jesus’ ability to help is not just theoretical or distant—he helps from a place of understanding and shared experience.
  • This verse connects to the wider message of Hebrews, which encourages believers to trust Jesus as a high priest who genuinely understands and cares for their struggles.

Where else these words appear

“succour” Greek G997 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 15:25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
  • Mark 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
  • Acts 21:28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

“tempted” Greek G3985 · used in 35 verses

  • Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
  • Luke 11:16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

“he” Greek G3958 · used in 41 verses

  • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
  • Acts 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
  • Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.