Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 5:8

"though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered;" — Hebrews 5:8 (ASV)

We should take these words in the sense of “son though he was” rather than “although he was a son.” It is the quality of sonship that is emphasized. Jesus’ stature was such that one would not have expected him to suffer. But he did suffer, and in the process he learned obedience. This, startling though it is, does not mean that Jesus passed from disobedience to obedience. Rather, he learned obedience by actually obeying. There is a certain quality involved when one has performed a required action—a quality that is lacking when there is only a readiness to act. Innocence differs from virtue.