Hebrews 2:17

Wherefore. That is, because He was concerned with man (see on v. 16).

In all things. Christ must become man so completely and fully that it can never be said that He is a stranger to any temptation, any sorrow, any trial or suffering that men must pass through.

Behoved. Gr. opheilo, “to owe,” “to be indebted,” “must,” “ought.” Compare the use of the verb and related nouns in Matt. 18:30, 34; 23:16; Luke 16:6, 7; John 13:14; 1 Cor. 5:10; 2 Thess. 2:13.

Made like. For the reason stated subsequently, namely, to qualify Him for the position of high priest. Although this does not mean that His experiences must be identical with ours in every respect — for a thousand lifetimes would not be sufficient for that — it does mean that the trials must be representative, and must in principle include all that man has to suffer, and that in severity they must fully measure up to all that men have to bear.

Might be. Or, “might become.”

Merciful and faithful. These two characteristics are necessary to a just ministry. Mercy alone might be too lenient and might ignore justice. Faithfulness provides a balance to mercy, as it considers the rights and duties of both the offender and the offended. As high priest Christ must be kind and understanding toward the offender, but He must also be true to justice and not ignore the law. Faithfulness will keep the delicate balance between unconditional mercy and unrelenting justice. The high priest must consider the sinner, but he must also consider the one sinned against. He must be faithful to his trust as well as merciful to the transgressor.

High priest. The subject of Christ as high priest is here introduced and is later more fully developed (see chs. 3; 5; 7-10).

Things pertaining to God. That is, matters of divine service. The Greek phrase thus translated occurs in the LXX of Ex. 4:16, with reference to Moses’ relationship to God in regard to Aaron.

To make reconciliation. Gr. hilaskomai. For the meaning of this verb and related nouns see on Rom. 3:25. The verb occurs only here and in Luke 18:13, where it is rendered “to be merciful.”