HEB 2:18 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) Because he also suffered when he was tempted to sin, he’s able to help others who are tempted.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT For in that he himself had suffered, having been tempted, he is able to help the ones being tempted.

UST Jesus can be that kind of priest because he endured painful things and experienced how doing what is wrong seems to be good. So, he can aid everyone who also experiences how doing what is wrong seems to be good.

BLB For in that He Himself has suffered, having been tempted, He is able to help those being tempted.

AICNT For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

OEB The fact that he himself suffered under temptation enables him to help those who are tempted.

WEBBE For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET For since he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

LSV for in that He suffered, Himself being tempted, He is able to help those who are tempted.

FBV Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

TCNT Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

T4T Specifically, he is able to help those/us who are tempted to sin. He can do that because he suffered, and he was also tempted to sin like we are tempted to sin.

LEB For in that which he himself suffered when he[fn] was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

2:18 *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was tempted”) which is understood as temporal

BBE For having been put to the test himself, he is able to give help to others when they are tested.

Moff It is as he suffered by his temptations that he is able to help the tempted.

Wymth For inasmuch as He has Himself felt the pain of temptation and trial, He is also able instantly to help those who are tempted and tried.
¶ 

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

DRA For in that, wherein he himself hath suffered and been tempted, he is able to succour them also that are tempted.

YLT for in that he suffered, himself being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Drby for, in that himself has suffered, being tempted, he is able to help those that are being tempted.

RV For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
(For in that he himself hath/has suffered being tempted, he is able to succour/support/assistance them that are tempted. )

SLT For in that he himself has suffered, having been tempted, he is able to help the tempted.

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

KJB-1769 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
(For in that he himself hath/has suffered being tempted, he is able to succour/support/assistance them that are tempted. )

KJB-1611 For in that he himselfe hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps For in that he hym selfe suffered and was tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
(For in that he himself suffered and was tempted, he is able to succour/support/assistance them that are tempted.)

Gnva For in that he suffered, and was tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
(For in that he suffered, and was tempted, he is able to succour/support/assistance them that are tempted. )

Cvdl For in that he himselfe suffred and was tempted, he is able to sucker them that are tempted.
(For in that he himself suffered and was tempted, he is able to sucker them that are tempted.)

TNT For in that he him silfe suffered and was tempted he is able to sucker them that are tempted.
(For in that he himself suffered and was tempted he is able to sucker them that are tempted. )

Wycl For in that thing in which he suffride, and was temptid, he is miyti to helpe also hem that ben temptid.
(For in that thing in which he suffered, and was tempted, he is mighty to help also hem that been tempted.)

Luth Denn darinnen er gelitten hat und versucht ist, kann er helfen denen, die versucht werden.
(Because therein he gelitten has and tried is, can he help those, the tried become.)

ClVg In eo enim, in quo passus est ipse et tentatus, potens est et eis, qui tentantur, auxiliari.[fn]
(In by_him because, in/into/on where suffered it_is exactly_that/himself and tentatus, powerful it_is and to_them, who/which tentantur, auxiliari. )

2.18 In eo enim. Id est, in carne quam suscepit multa sæva passus est. Novitque quid est ista tribulatio patientium per experimentum. Qui tentantur. Tentat Deus ut probet, diabolus ut decipiat, homo ut sciat quod nescit.

2.18 In by_him because. That it_is, in/into/on flesh/meat how he_accepted fine sæva suffered it_is. Novitque what it_is these_(ones) tribulation patientium through experimentum. Who tentantur. Tentat God as approve, the_devil as deceive, human as let_him_know that doesn't_know.

UGNT ἐν ᾧ γὰρ πέπονθεν αὐτὸς, πειρασθείς, δύναται τοῖς πειραζομένοις βοηθῆσαι.
(en hō gar peponthen autos, peirastheis, dunatai tois peirazomenois boaʸthaʸsai.)

SBL-GNT ἐν ᾧ γὰρ πέπονθεν αὐτὸς πειρασθείς, δύναται τοῖς πειραζομένοις βοηθῆσαι.
(en hō gar peponthen autos peirastheis, dunatai tois peirazomenois boaʸthaʸsai.)

RP-GNT Ἐν ᾧ γὰρ πέπονθεν αὐτὸς πειρασθείς, δύναται τοῖς πειραζομένοις βοηθῆσαι.
(En hō gar peponthen autos peirastheis, dunatai tois peirazomenois boaʸthaʸsai.)

TC-GNT Ἐν ᾧ γὰρ πέπονθεν αὐτὸς πειρασθείς, δύναται τοῖς πειραζομένοις βοηθῆσαι.
(En hō gar peponthen autos peirastheis, dunatai tois peirazomenois boaʸthaʸsai. )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 2:5–18: Jesus, the Son of God, became a human being

In the previous section, the author stated the seriousness of ignoring the Son’s message of salvation. In this section he gave more reasons why Jesus is greater than the angels and why we should take Jesus’ salvation more seriously than the law that was received through the angels. Some of these reasons are:

Jesus, not the angels, will control the future world (2:5)
Jesus humbled himself in order to make himself like us:
- In our lower position (2:7, 2:9)
- In our suffering and death (2:10, 2:14)
- As his brothers, God’s children (2:11–14, 2:17)
Jesus can:
- Bring us to glory (2:10)
- Bring us to salvation (2:10)
- Make us holy (2:11)
- Break the power of death (2:14)
- Sets us free from the fear of death (2:15)
- Help us (he did not come to help angels) (2:16)
- Be a merciful and faithful high priest before God (2:17)
- Take away the sins of people (2:17)
- Help us when we are tempted (2:18)
- [Angels cannot do this]

Some other possible headings for this section are:

The Son became human to save us

Christ Became like Humans (NCV)

Jesus Became One of Us to Help Us (GW)

Paragraph 2:14–18

The final paragraph of chapter 2 explains in more detail why God’s Son had to become a human being like us. He came to defeat the devil, and stop people from being afraid to die. He also became human so that he could become the high priest for his people. In these ways, he is greater than the angels, because none of them was able to become human, defeat the devil, and free his people from fearing death.

The author briefly introduces the topic of Jesus as our high priest, which he will discuss more fully in 4:14–5:10 and 7:1–8:1.

2:18

Hebrews 2:18 is one sentence which has two clauses. Hebrews 2:18a tells why Christ is able to help us (the reason) and 2:18b tells about his helping (the result). In some languages, it is more natural to reorder these two clauses or to make them separate sentences. For examples of how this verse can be reordered or translated as two sentences, see the General Comment on 2:18a–b at the end of 2:18b.

2:18a

Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted,

For because he also was tempted by the suffering he endured,
Since Jesus himself was tempted and suffered as a human being,

Because: In Greek this verse begins with two connectors that many English versions translate together as “For since.” The word that the BSB leaves implicit (“for”) explains more about why Jesus is a merciful and faithful high priest for people (2:17). The word Because indicates that 2:18a is the reason why Jesus is able to help people when they are tempted (2:18b).

In some languages it is not necessary to make both of these connections explicit. Make the meaning clear in a natural way in your language.

He Himself suffered when He was tempted: The Greek phrase the BSB translates as suffered when He was tempted is literally “suffered being tempted/tested.” Scholars interpret the connection between “suffered” and “being tempted” in different ways:

Jesus was tempted, and the temptation caused him to suffer. For example:
he himself suffered when he was tempted (NIV) (BSB, NJB, NIV, JBP, NET)
Jesus suffered, and the suffering caused him to be tempted. For example:
Jesus experienced temptation when he suffered (GW) (GW, NRSV, NASB, REB)
Jesus was tempted and he also suffered. For example:
he himself was tempted and suffered (GNT) (NLT, RSV, CEV, NCV, GNT)

The meanings of these interpretations are similar, and the differences seem to be mainly a matter of emphasis.Interpretation (1) emphasizes Jesus’ temptation and the result—he is able to help those who are tempted. This theme is repeated in Hebrews 4:15. For this reason, the Notes has listed it as interpretation (1) here. You may translate any of these interpretations in a natural way in your language.

He Himself: The phrase He Himself emphasizes Jesus in contrast to “those who are being tempted” in 2:18b. Translate this contrast in a natural way in your language. See the Display for examples.

suffered: The Greek word that the BSB translates as suffered is a general word that can refer to enduring any kind of pain or hardship. The form of the word implies that Jesus endured this suffering over a period of time. Some other ways to translate it are:

has suffered (NASB)

has gone through suffering (NLT)

experienced distress/hardship

In some languages there may be an idiom that expresses this meaning.

He was tempted: The phrase He was tempted is passive. The Greek text does not specify who or what tempted Jesus. This clause may refer to temptation by Satan. It may also include other sources of temptations, such as other people or the weaknesses of human nature. For that reason, it is best not to make explicit who or what tempted him. For example:

Jesus experienced temptation (GW)

However, if you must provide a subject, you may indicate that Satan tempted Jesus. For example:

Satan tempted Jesus

was tempted: There are two ways to interpret the word tempted in this context:

It means tempted. It refers here to temptation to sin. For example:
and was tempted (NCV) (BSB, NIV, RSV, GNT, NASB, NET, JBP, KJV, GW, NLT, NCV, CEV)
It means tested. It refers here to a test of Jesus’ faithfulness to God during suffering. For example:
he himself has passed through the test of suffering (REB) (NRSV, REB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It is followed by most English versions and a majority of Bible scholars.

2:18b

He is able to help those who are being tempted.

he is able to help others when they are tempted.
he is able to strengthen other people so that they do not sin when they experience temptation.

He is able to help those who are being tempted: This part of the verse tells the result of 2:18a. Jesus was tempted (2:18a), so he is able to help those who are being tempted. Other ways to translate this result are:

That is how/why he is able to help those who are being tempted.

therefore he can really help us when we also are tested/tempted.Tagbanwa back translation on TW.

Translate the result in a natural way in your language.

help: The Greek word that the BSB translates as help is a general word that can refer to different ways to assist or support someone. In this context, Jesus helps people to resist and overcome temptation so that they do not sin.

Jesus uses many different ways to help people who are tempted. For example, he encourages them, he gives them spiritual and physical strength, he shows them what he wants them to do, and he may cause other people to help them. Having been tempted himself, Jesus understands how to help those who are being tempted.

Jesus helps those who are tempted so that they can resist the temptation and not sin against God. This is the main purpose for Jesus’ help. In some languages it may be necessary to make this purpose explicit. For example:

he can help the people who are tempted so that they are not carried to sinYakan back translation on TW.

those who are being tempted: The phrase those who are being tempted is a general statement that is true for anyone who is tempted. Languages have different ways to refer to people in general statements like this. For example, some languages may use “we,” “anyone,” or “whoever.” For example:

anyone who is tempted

when we are tempted

In other languages it may be more natural to refer only to the temptation without mentioning who is tempted. For example:

during the time of temptation

Use a natural option for your language.

are being tempted: The form of the Greek verb which the BSB translates as are being tempted indicates that the temptation continues for some time or that it happens often over a period of time. Here is another way to translate this:

are tempted (NET)

Translate this meaning in a natural way in your language.

General Comment on 2:18a–b

In some languages it may be more natural to reorder the clauses in this verse. For example:

^18bAnd now he can help those who are tempted, ^18abecause he himself was tempted and suffered. (GNT)

In some languages it may be more natural to translate this verse as two sentences. For example:

He himself was tempted and suffered. So he is able to help us when we are tempted.

The author mentioned temptation and the help of our great high priest again in 4:15–16.

In chapters 1 and 2, the author showed that God has now spoken through his Son Jesus. Jesus is greater than the angels, so people must pay more attention to him than to the angels.

In 3:1–4:13, the author showed that Jesus was also greater than Moses, who led God’s people, the people of Israel, out of Egypt. Moses led them as God’s faithful servant, but Jesus leads them as God’s own Son. Now God’s people include all the people who follow his Son, whether they are people of Israel or not. Jesus is the high priest of the better covenant that God made with his people.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἐν ᾧ γάρ πέπονθεν αὐτός πειρασθείς δύναται τοῖς πειραζομένοις βοηθῆσαι)

The word For introduces an explanation of how Jesus functions as “a merciful and faithful high priest.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces an explanation. Alternate translation: [He can be merciful and faithful because,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / rpronouns

αὐτὸς

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἐν ᾧ γάρ πέπονθεν αὐτός πειρασθείς δύναται τοῖς πειραζομένοις βοηθῆσαι)

The word himself emphasizes Jesus in order to set up the comparison with everyone else who is tempted. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that emphasizes he, that is, Jesus. Alternate translation: [is one who]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

πειρασθείς & πειραζομένοις

˓having_been˒_tempted & ˓being˒_tempted

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. The author uses the passive form here to focus on those who are tempted rather than on the person or thing doing the tempting. If you must state who did the action, you could use an indefinite subject, since many things tempt people. Alternate translation: [things having tempted him … whom things tempt] or [having experienced temptation … who experience temptation]

πέπονθεν αὐτὸς, πειρασθείς

˓has˒_suffered (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἐν ᾧ γάρ πέπονθεν αὐτός πειρασθείς δύναται τοῖς πειραζομένοις βοηθῆσαι)