Devine Scripture

Hebrews 2:11

What does Hebrews 2:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 2:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 2:11 means

The one who sanctifies (Jesus) and those being sanctified (believers) are “all of one”—they share a common human nature and, by God’s design, a united family relation. Therefore Jesus is not ashamed to call them brethren. Sanctification here means being set apart for God, brought into his holy purpose. Christ does not stand aloof from those he saves; he draws near and identifies with them. His unashamed acknowledgment of believers as brothers assures them of full acceptance. Their holiness is rooted in his work and their union with him. This verse shows that salvation is familial, not merely legal—God is forming a household with Christ and his people together.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For he who makes holy and those who are made holy are all of one family; and for this reason it is no shame for him to give them the name of brothers,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for both he who is sanctifying and those sanctified <FI>are<Fi> all of one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one. For which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For both he that sanctifies and those sanctified [are] all of one; for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Context

Verse 11 grounds the “fittingness” of sufferings (v.10) in Christ’s solidarity with believers. Because he and they share humanity and a God-ordained unity, he gladly names them family. The following verses (12–13) quote Scripture to substantiate this brotherhood and shared trust, providing biblical warrant for the claim. That established, verses 14–15 will draw the inference: if the children share flesh and blood, the Son likewise partook, in order to defeat the devil through death and free them from fear.

v.10For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

v.11This passage

v.12saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, In the midst of the congregation will I sing thy praise.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 10:10

    By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

  • John 17:21

    that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me.

  • Galatians 4:4

    but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

  • John 20:17

    Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father: but go unto my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.

  • Romans 8:29

    For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:

  • Hebrews 2:14

    Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

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