John Calvin Commentary Hebrews 2:9

"But we behold him who hath been made a little lower than the angels, [even] Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for every [man]." — Hebrews 2:9 (ASV)

But we see Jesus, etc. As the meaning of the words βραχύ τι, “a little,” is ambiguous, he looks to the thing itself, as exhibited in the person of Christ, rather than to the exact meaning of the words, as I have already said. He presents for our meditation the glory after the resurrection, which David extends to all the gifts by which humanity is adorned by God’s bounty; but in this embellishment, which leaves the literal sense intact, there is nothing unsuitable or improper.

For the suffering of death, etc. It is as though it was said that Christ, having passed through death, was exalted to the glory that he has obtained, according to what Paul teaches us in Philippians 2:8-10. It is not that Christ obtained anything for himself individually, as sophists say, who have devised the notion that he first earned eternal life for himself and then for us; for the way or means, so to speak, of obtaining glory is only indicated here. Besides, Christ is crowned with glory for this end, that every knee should bow to him (Philippians 2:10). We may therefore reason from the final cause that all things are delivered into his hand.

That he by the grace of God, etc. He refers to the cause and the fruit of Christ’s death, lest he should be thought to detract anything from Christ’s dignity. For when we hear that so much good has been obtained for us, there is no room left for contempt, for admiration of the divine goodness fills the whole mind.

By saying for every man, he means not only that Christ might be an example to others, as Chrysostom says (who gives the example of a physician first tasting a bitter drink, so that the patient might not refuse to drink it); but he means that Christ died for us, and that by taking upon himself what was due to us, he redeemed us from the curse of death. And it is added that this was done through the grace of God, for the cause of redemption was the infinite love of God towards us, because of which he did not spare even his own Son. Regarding what Chrysostom says about tasting of death—as though Christ merely touched it with his lips because he emerged from death a conqueror—I will not refute nor condemn this view, though I do not know whether the Apostle intended to speak in such a refined manner.