Hebrews 12:2
What does Hebrews 12:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 12:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 12:2 means
Believers keep running by fixing their gaze on Jesus. He is both the founder—who initiates faith—and the finisher—who brings it to maturity. Jesus endured the cross because of the joy ahead: pleasing the Father, redeeming a people, and receiving His rightful glory. He treated the shame of the cross as insignificant compared to the outcome, and now He is enthroned at God’s right hand. The verse calls us to focus not on our hardships but on Christ’s path: suffering followed by exaltation. Our faith’s beginning, progress, and completion rest in Him. Looking to Jesus sustains endurance because His victory ensures ours and His example defines how to suffer well.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Having our eyes fixed on Jesus, the guide and end of our faith, who went through the pains of the cross, not caring for the shame, because of the joy which was before him, and who has now taken his place at the right hand of God's seat of power.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862looking to the author and perfecter of faith--Jesus, who, over-against the joy set before him--did endure a cross, shame having despised, on the right hand also of the throne of God did sit down;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Looking on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, who, having joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and now sitteth on the right hand of the throne of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890looking stedfastly on Jesus the leader and completer of faith: who, in view of the joy lying before him, endured [the] cross, having despised [the] shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne ofGod.
Context
After the general call to run with endurance (v. 1), verse 2 names the central focus that enables endurance: Jesus Himself. The writer pivots from past witnesses to the supreme Witness and Captain of faith. The next verse (v. 3) will press this further—urging careful consideration of Christ’s endurance under opposition—so that readers do not lose heart. Together these verses anchor the exhortations not in human resolve but in Christ’s person, work, and present reign at God’s right hand.
v.1Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
v.2This passage
v.3For consider him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against himself, that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Zechariah 12:10
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they shall look unto me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born.
- John 13:3
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and goeth unto God,
- Matthew 16:21
From that time began Jesus to show unto his disciples, that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.
- Psalms 16:9
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: My flesh also shall dwell in safety.
- Ephesians 5:2
and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.
- Hebrews 11:36
and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
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