Devine Scripture

Hebrews 5:8

What does Hebrews 5:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 5:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 5:8 means

Although He is the Son, Christ learned obedience by the things He suffered. This does not mean He moved from sin to obedience, but that He entered fully into the human path of trusting submission under trial. Suffering was the arena where His filial obedience was displayed and matured in experience. As the Son, He did not assert independence; He yielded to the Father’s will at cost to Himself. Through this, He became the perfectly sympathetic and perfectly faithful Mediator. He knows what obedience requires when it is hard, and He has walked that road without turning aside.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And though he was a Son, through the pain which he underwent, the knowledge came to him of what it was to be under God's orders;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

through being a Son, did learn by the things which he suffered--the obedience,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And whereas indeed he was the Son of God, he learned obedience by the things which he suffered.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

though he were Son, he learned obedience from the things which he suffered;

Context

Verse 7 described Christ’s intense prayers and reverence. Verse 8 interprets those experiences: they were the means by which He, as the incarnate Son, learned obedience in practice. This prepares for verse 9’s conclusion that He was “made perfect,” meaning fully qualified for His saving role. The progression is deliberate: appointment (vv. 5–6), suffering obedience (v. 8), then perfected fitness and saving efficacy (v. 9). Verse 10 will seal the point with God’s designation, before the exhortation of verses 11–14 interrupts the exposition.

v.7Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear,

v.8This passage

v.9and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;

Cross references

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

  • Hebrews 1:5

    For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee? and again, I will be to him a Father, And he shall be to me a Son?

  • Philippians 2:8

    and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.

  • Matthew 3:15

    But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffereth him.

  • John 15:10

    If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

  • Hebrews 10:5

    Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, But a body didst thou prepare for me;

  • Hebrews 1:8

    but of the Sonhe saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; And the sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

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