Hebrews 5:7 - He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear,
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What does "Hebrews 5:7" mean?
Hebrews 5:7 is a powerful verse describing Jesus' intense and heartfelt prayers during his earthly life. Let's break it down phrase by phrase to understand its meaning:
"He, in the days of his flesh..." This refers to Jesus' earthly existence, highlighting his humanity and vulnerability. It emphasizes that Jesus experienced life as a human being, with all the limitations and challenges that come with it.
"...having offered up prayers and petitions..." This indicates that Jesus engaged in fervent prayer, not just casual or rote prayers, but heartfelt requests. The use of both "prayers" and "petitions" suggests a comprehensive and persistent communication with God. "Prayers" can be seen as general worshipful communication, while "petitions" are specific requests.
"...with strong crying and tears..." This paints a vivid picture of the intensity and emotional depth of Jesus' prayers. He didn't simply whisper his requests; he pleaded with God, expressing his anguish and desperation through loud cries and tears. This underscores the immense pressure and suffering he endured. This description aligns with accounts in the Gospels, particularly the accounts of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46).
"...to him who was able to save him from death..." This identifies the recipient of Jesus' prayers as God, who possessed the power to prevent Jesus' death. This also hints at the nature of Jesus' struggle – he was facing the immense weight of his impending death and was praying to God for deliverance.
"...and having been heard for his godly fear..." This is perhaps the most debated part of the verse. It means that God listened to and answered Jesus' prayers because of his reverent submission and obedience to God's will. The phrase "godly fear" doesn't imply terror but rather a deep respect, reverence, and submission to God's authority.
How was Jesus "heard"? The verse doesn't say Jesus was saved from death in the sense of never dying at all. Instead, it refers to him being heard in the sense that God strengthened him to endure the cross and, ultimately, resurrected him from the dead. God's ultimate answer to Jesus' prayer was not to avoid the cross, but to grant him the strength to face it and conquer death through resurrection.
Overall Meaning:
The verse emphasizes Jesus' humanity and his deep reliance on God during his earthly life, especially as he faced his impending death. It highlights the intensity of his prayers and his submission to God's will, even when that will involved immense suffering. God heard Jesus' prayers, not necessarily by removing the suffering itself, but by empowering him to overcome death through the resurrection. This verse also underscores that Jesus was obedient and submitted to God’s will and therefore a suitable sacrifice for humanity.
Theological Significance:
Jesus' humanity: The verse affirms the reality of Jesus' human nature, showing him as someone who experienced genuine fear, anguish, and dependence on God.
Jesus' obedience: It highlights Jesus' perfect obedience to God's will, even in the face of immense suffering.
The effectiveness of prayer: It demonstrates the power of prayer, especially when offered with sincerity, humility, and submission to God's will.
Jesus as a perfect high priest: In the context of Hebrews, this verse contributes to the argument that Jesus is the ultimate and perfect high priest, because he learned obedience through suffering and was ultimately exalted by God. He experienced the trials of humanity and thus could empathize with those he represented.
This verse is not about God preventing Jesus from dying, but rather about God hearing and answering Jesus' prayer for strength to endure the cross, and ultimately raising him from the dead. It is a powerful testament to Jesus' faith, obedience, and his role as the perfect high priest.
Hebrews 5:7 - He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear,
What does "Hebrews 5:7" mean?
Hebrews 5:7 is a powerful verse describing Jesus' intense and heartfelt prayers during his earthly life. Let's break it down phrase by phrase to understand its meaning:
"He, in the days of his flesh..." This refers to Jesus' earthly existence, highlighting his humanity and vulnerability. It emphasizes that Jesus experienced life as a human being, with all the limitations and challenges that come with it.
"...having offered up prayers and petitions..." This indicates that Jesus engaged in fervent prayer, not just casual or rote prayers, but heartfelt requests. The use of both "prayers" and "petitions" suggests a comprehensive and persistent communication with God. "Prayers" can be seen as general worshipful communication, while "petitions" are specific requests.
"...with strong crying and tears..." This paints a vivid picture of the intensity and emotional depth of Jesus' prayers. He didn't simply whisper his requests; he pleaded with God, expressing his anguish and desperation through loud cries and tears. This underscores the immense pressure and suffering he endured. This description aligns with accounts in the Gospels, particularly the accounts of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46).
"...to him who was able to save him from death..." This identifies the recipient of Jesus' prayers as God, who possessed the power to prevent Jesus' death. This also hints at the nature of Jesus' struggle – he was facing the immense weight of his impending death and was praying to God for deliverance.
"...and having been heard for his godly fear..." This is perhaps the most debated part of the verse. It means that God listened to and answered Jesus' prayers because of his reverent submission and obedience to God's will. The phrase "godly fear" doesn't imply terror but rather a deep respect, reverence, and submission to God's authority.
How was Jesus "heard"? The verse doesn't say Jesus was saved from death in the sense of never dying at all. Instead, it refers to him being heard in the sense that God strengthened him to endure the cross and, ultimately, resurrected him from the dead. God's ultimate answer to Jesus' prayer was not to avoid the cross, but to grant him the strength to face it and conquer death through resurrection.
Overall Meaning:
The verse emphasizes Jesus' humanity and his deep reliance on God during his earthly life, especially as he faced his impending death. It highlights the intensity of his prayers and his submission to God's will, even when that will involved immense suffering. God heard Jesus' prayers, not necessarily by removing the suffering itself, but by empowering him to overcome death through the resurrection. This verse also underscores that Jesus was obedient and submitted to God’s will and therefore a suitable sacrifice for humanity.
Theological Significance:
Jesus' humanity: The verse affirms the reality of Jesus' human nature, showing him as someone who experienced genuine fear, anguish, and dependence on God.
Jesus' obedience: It highlights Jesus' perfect obedience to God's will, even in the face of immense suffering.
The effectiveness of prayer: It demonstrates the power of prayer, especially when offered with sincerity, humility, and submission to God's will.
Jesus as a perfect high priest: In the context of Hebrews, this verse contributes to the argument that Jesus is the ultimate and perfect high priest, because he learned obedience through suffering and was ultimately exalted by God. He experienced the trials of humanity and thus could empathize with those he represented.
This verse is not about God preventing Jesus from dying, but rather about God hearing and answering Jesus' prayer for strength to endure the cross, and ultimately raising him from the dead. It is a powerful testament to Jesus' faith, obedience, and his role as the perfect high priest.