Charles Ellicott Commentary Hebrews 2:17

"Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people." — Hebrews 2:17 (ASV)

Therefore: Since it is “the seed of Abraham,” His brothers, whom He would help.

In all things: These words must be taken with “made like.” In all respects (the single exception is not mentioned here), He must be made like “the brothers” (a reference to Hebrews 2:12).

Like them, He must be liable to, and must suffer, temptation, sorrow, pain, and death.

That He might be: Rather, that He might prove, or become (the words imply what is more fully expressed in Hebrews 5:8), a compassionate and faithful High Priest. The high priest was the representative of men to God; without such likeness , He could be no true High Priest for humanity.

The order of the Greek words places an emphasis on “compassionate,” which is in full harmony with what we have seen to be the pervading tone of the chapter. One who has not so understood the infirmities of his brothers as to be “compassionate” cannot be their “faithful” representative before God.

But the word “faithful” is still more closely connected with the following words. If through the power of sympathy which the Savior has gained “by sufferings” He becomes “compassionate” as our High Priest, it is through “the suffering of death” (Hebrews 2:9) that He proves Himself “the faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation (or rather, propitiation) for the sins of the people.”

The word “high priest,” later to be so prominent in the Epistle, is introduced somewhat suddenly, but several expressions in this chapter have prepared for and led up to the crowning thought presented here.

The characteristic function of the high priest was his presentation of the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement, so that expiation might be made for the sins of the whole people, and so that God's displeasure might not rest on the nation because of sin . The words translated “propitiate” and “propitiation” are not frequently found in the New Testament (Luke 18:13; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:10, see also Romans 3:25), but are very often found in the LXX. The subject receives its full treatment in Hebrews 9:10.