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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Hebrews 5:7 - 5:7
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
In the days of his flesh (en tais hēmerais tēs sarkos autou). Here (Heb 5:7-9) the author turns to the other requirement of a high priest (human sympathy). Since Jesus was “without sin” (Heb 4:15) he did not have to offer sacrifices “for himself,” yet in all other points he felt the sympathy of the human high priest, even more so by reason of his victory over sin.
Having offered up (prosenegkas). Second aorist active (-a form) participle of prospherō (cf. Heb 5:3). An allusion to the Agony of Christ in Gethsemane.
Supplications (hiketērias). Socrates, Polybius, Job (Job 40:22) combine this word with deēseis (prayers) as here. The older form was hikesia. The word hiketērios is an adjective from hiketēs (a suppliant from hikō, to come to one) and suggests one coming with an olive branch (elaia). Here only in the N.T.
With strong crying and tears (meta kraugēs ischuras kai dakruōn). See Luk 22:44. for a picture of the scene in Gethsemane (anguish and pathos). No doubt the writer has in mind other times when Jesus shed tears (Joh 11:35; Luk 19:41), but Gethsemane chiefly.
To save him from death (sōzein ek thanatou). A reference to the cry of Jesus in Gethsemane (Mat 26:39).
Having been heard for his godly fear (eisakoustheis apo tēs eulabeias). Old word from eulabēs (taking hold well, Luk 2:25 from eu, lambanō, the verb eulabeomai in N.T. only in Heb 11:7), in N.T. only here and Heb 12:28. Fine picture of Christ’s attitude toward the Father in the prayer in Gethsemane and in all his prayers. Jesus in Gethsemane at once surrendered his will to that of the Father who heard his plea and enabled him to acquiesce in the Father’s will.