Hebrews 5:7, Did Jesus suffer death or not?

Question

Hebrews 5:7 (DRB):

Who in the days of his flesh, with a strong cry and tears, offering up prayers and supplications to him that was able to save him from death, was heard for his reverence.

The question is so easy:

• Did God already save Jesus from death?, Because of Jesus' reverence (godliness- godly fear - piety - reverent submission) he didn't suffer death at all?, Or saving Jesus from death because of his godliness means his resurrection?
• Did Jesus suffer death or not?

The content of the verse is so clear: God saved Jesus because of his piety.

There are two questions near to my question on SE, Look here: In what way was Jesus' prayer heard (Hebrews 5:7)

But my question is about: Did He suffer death or not?, Where the content of the verse is clear that He had been saved from death.

The clear meaning in Hebrews 5:7,8 seems to contradict the clear meaning in other sites in the Bible that declare death of Jesus, thus we want to solve the contradiction also.

Thus, we want to prove first that Hebrews 5:7, means death of Jesus. If not, i.e: He hadn't died, then, we want to solve the contradiction between Hebrews 5:7,8 and other verses in the Bible contradicting them.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Georg Lünemann answers your question:¹

In the context of humans alone, if we heard the expression “he saved him from death,” then normally we would understand that person A prevented person B from dying, so that person B never experienced death.

But, we need to realize that the context here involves God and a human, and as such, as Lünemann notes, “he saved him from death” can have two meanings. Either, God saved Jesus from dying, or, as is the actual case, Jesus died, but God saved Jesus from death, so that, not only did God raise Jesus from the dead, but He also prevented Jesus’ body from experiencing decay while it lie in the sepulcher.

The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews unambiguously declares elsewhere that the Lord Jesus Christ had died.⁴

How was the prayer of the Lord Jesus answered (cf. KJV: “and was heard in that he feared”)?

The Lord Jesus Christ was “delivered⁵ by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God.”⁶ Nevertheless, God the Father raised him from the dead, loosing the cords of death that had held him,⁷

²⁴ whom God raised up, having loosed the cords⁸ of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.

Indeed, God even prevented the body of the Lord Jesus Christ from experiencing decay (corruption).⁹

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Footnotes
1 p. 181 (German); p. 509–510 (English) 2 Heb. 2:9, 9:26, 9:28, 10:10, 10:12, 13:20 3 cf. Luke 22:42 4 see footnote 2 5 to his enemies 6 Acts 2:23 7 Acts 2:24 8 according to the Hebrew text of Psa. 116:3 9 Psa. 16:10; Acts 2:27, 13:35

References

Huther, Johann Eduard; Lünemann, Georg Konrad Gottlieb. Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Epistles to Timothy and Titus, and to the Epistle to the Hebrews. Trans. Hunter, David; Evans, Maurice J. New York: Funk, 1885. Lünemann, Georg Konrad Gottlieb. Kritisch exegetischer Kommentar über das Neue Testament, Dreizehnte Abtheilung, Kritisch exegetisches Handbuch über den Hebräerbrief. 4th ed. Vol. 13. Göttingen: Vandenboeck and Ruprecht, 1878.

Answer 2

That is one of the great mysteries of Jesus' death - The Father could save Jesus, and Jesus specifically asked to be excused but was not, Matt 26:39, 42.

as to whether Jesus actually died or not, there is abundant evidence that Jesus actually died. Here is a sample.

There are several records that Jesus' death would happen, ie, was predicted.

• Matt 16:21 - and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
• Matt 17:23 - They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.
• Matt 20:19 - and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!
• Mark 9:31 - They will kill him, but on the third day he will come back to life.
• Mark 10:34 - who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.
• Luke 18:33 - they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.
• Luke 9:22 - The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

The eye-witness accounts of Jesus' death:

• Matt 27:50 - "... Jesus … yielded up the/his spirit", or, he "breathed his last". That is, he stopped breathing and died. The guarding centurion also observed the death, v51. Note that the Roman soldiers were professional killers.
• Mark 15:37 - " … Jesus … expired". That is, He stopped breathing and died. The guarding centurion also observed the death, v38.
• Mark 15:44 - When Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus, Pilate was surprised he was already dead, so he asked a centurion to check that Jesus was dead. The centurion confirmed it so Pilate released the body to Joseph. A Roman centurion is a trained killer and an expert in telling if someone is dead.
• Luke 23:46 - " … expired". That is, He stopped breathing and died. The guarding centurion also observed the death, v47.
• John 19:30 - "He [Jesus] said, 'It is finished!' And he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." That is, He stopped breathing and died.
• John 19:33 - the soldiers did not break Jesus' legs because he was already dead. (Roman soldiers were trained killers and knew how to tell if someone was alive or dead!)
• John 19:34 - just to be absolutely sure, one Roman soldier took a spear and pierced his side - this would have been a trust of the spear up under the rub cage into the heart. If Jesus were not dead before he would certainly have been dead afterward. As a result, a mixture of blood and water emerged suggesting that he really was dead indeed!
• John 19:35 - the apostle John says he witnessed these things personally and testifies that these facts are correct.

Some have suggested that there were no disciples and very few people who actually saw the death of Jesus but that is not true. All Roman crucifixions were done to achieve two objectives - to completely humiliate the victim and to provide some cheap ghoulish entertainment for the masses - thus all crucifixions were attended by crowds (Luke 23:48). It is also said that all the disciples deserted him in the garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:56) but Peter (and some others) followed at a distance to observe the trials ((Matt 26:58).

Specifically, we know that the following named people observed the death of Jesus:

• Simon of Cyrene, another disciple, who carried the cross Matt 27:32, Luke 23:26.
• Joseph of Arimathea who asked Pilate for the body Luke 23:50-53.
• Nicodemus who visited Jesus by night John 19:39
• Cleopas and his friend (Luke 24:13-21) who were travelling to Emmaus on Sunday.
• Many women and others associated with Jesus (Luke 23:49) such as Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary's sister Martha, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, Salome, Mary the wife of Cleopas, Matt 27:55, 56, Mark 15:40, John 19:25. This also included (at least) John as recorded in John 19:26, 27.
• It is also recorded that many of these same people accompanied the dead body to the tomb to see where it was laid so that could embalm the body on Sunday morning. Matt 27:61, 28:1, Mark 15:47, 16:1, Luke 23:55, 24:10, John 20:1.
• One of the soldiers, specifically a centurion observed Jesus' death and was so moved that he gave praise to the Jewish God of heaven Matt 27:54, Luke 23:47. Another pierced him with a spear to ensure His death and a soldier also witnessed the fact to Pilate Mark 15:44, 45.
• Many of the Jewish leaders, including the chief priests, observed the crucifixion and death to ensure that Jesus died and that their troublesome citizen was finally disposed of. Matt 27:41-43, Mark 15:31

There are numerous other passages that discuss the death of Jesus.

• Luke 24:46 - This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day
• 1 Cor 15:3, 4 - … that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day
• Acts 10:40 - God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen.
• Acts 13:30 - But God raised him up from the dead the third day

There is much evidence that Jesus actually died, not only from his friends the disciples but from Roman soldiers as well; that is, both sympathetic and antagonistic witnesses. This is very compelling and voluminous evidence.

There is also some important indirect evidence that Jesus was known by everyone in Jerusalem, including the chief priests and Roman authorities, to have died.

• The chief priests were worried that the disciples would come to try and steal the dead body so they posted a Roman guard to protect it, and on the Sabbath as well!! Matt 27:62-66.
• The Roman soldiers guarding the tomb witness the resurrection but the chief priests were so embarrassed by this that bribed the soldiers to say (in spite of dire consequences for soldiers sleeping on duty) that the (dead) body of Jesus was stolen while they slept!! Matt 28:11-15. This possibly even involved some bribes for Pilate (v14).
• Despite the report of some, many of the disciples could not believe that Jesus was raised for the dead and were very frightened; Luke 24:36-43, John 20:11, 19, 20, 24- 29.

In fact, the doctrine of Jesus’ humanity is so important that anyone who denies it is called antichrist! 1 John 4:3, 2 John 7.

The fact that the Bible so emphatically declares Jesus’ humanity does not diminish His divinity.

Lastly, there is now several reputable reports of the medical facts about Jesus' death in places like: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/403315

Back to Heb 5:7 which says: During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

Note that Jesus actually asked to be excused from the great sacrifice (Matt 26:39) three times but His request was denied. St Paul also prayed to be released from his "thorn in the flesh" three times as well but his request was also denied (2 Cor 12:7-9). Many take courage from these stories because if Paul and Jesus had their prayer requests denied (at least on these occasions) then when God denies me something, I am keeping good company!

Answer 3

The Father was able to save him. Jesus himself had the power and the authority to “Let this cup pass.” because “I could call and my father would send 12 legions of angels.” Had he chosen not to go through with the cross, all he had to do is simply request of the Father and the Father would have responded by sending 72,000 angels to lay waste to humanity. Yet, he subjected himself to the will of the Father and chose the cross.

Answer 4

Maybe my answer is considered off-topic on this site as I am here interpreting the Bible viewed through the Quran, and the Quran viewed through the Bible.

There is an enigmatic verse in the Qur'an (4:157), saying

And for their (the Jews) saying, “We have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the Messenger of God.” In fact, they did not kill and crucify him, but it appeared to them as if they did. Indeed, those who differ about him are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it, except the following of assumptions. Certainly, they did not kill him.

This verse is often read alone in Islam without knowledge or acceptance of the Gospel, hence interpreted as if Jesus (p.b.u.h.) was not put to the cross. To my interpretation it says that the Jews did not succeed to put him to death on the cross but he appeared to be dead. Before men, it looked like he died but God knew that he was living.

In this sense, the report that Jesus died and God arose him on the third day corresponds to the perspective observed from earth, whereas the version that God saved him from death is the view of God, the All-Knowing.

Maybe, this is also expressed in this epistle by the unknown author.

Answer 5

It's all in the verb εἰσακούω

To answer the Question, we have to examine what is the meaning of "[Jesus] was heard for his reverence" (εἰσακουσθεὶς ἀπὸ τῆς εὐλαβείας).

Within this phrase, the critical word is the verbal form εἰσακουσθεὶς (Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular - lit. "having been heard").

The verbal form εἰσακουσθεὶς is from εἰσακούω (G1522 - eisakouō), which (as can be also see in the [LSJ][2] - for some reason it is necessary to copy and paste the link [2]) has two essential meanings:

1. hear, so as to grant a request.
2. simply hear, listen

Loking at the way eisakouō is used in the other instances of the NT, we have:

• Mat 6:7: meaning 1. but negatively applied to the heathens who hope their requests will be granted because of their many words.
• Luk 1:13: meaning 1. - the angel Gabriel tells Zachariah that his and his wife's prayers for a child have been granted, at last.
• Act 10:31: meaning 1. - Cornelius explains to Peter that, an angel told him that, with his arrival from Acco, his own prayer has been granted.
• 1Co 14:21: meaning 2.

Let's look again at Hebrews 5:7

The verse itself is not sufficient to decide whether Jesus "was heard" according to meaning 1. or 2. But Jesus died, so, the only sense in which God, the Father Almighty, yielded to Jesus' prayer was by rasing his from the dead.

[2]: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Dei)sakou%2Fw

Answer 6

Did Jesus suffer death or not?

Yes he did - but in this verse, Jesus' earnest prayers here are not about being released from the imminent death on the cross. (While he did ask in the garden if it were possible to avoid the crucifixion, his will was realigned with the Father's) Heb 5 is not about that as we'll see.

in the days of his flesh...

This 'days' is his whole life on earth while in a fleshly, mortal body. We may understand his whole life was one of facing constant temptation - He could not once put his will before God's - not once!

Jesus was concerned that if he faltered just once and put his will before the Father's, he would be unable to be raised from the dead. He then, could no longer be the Lamb and no one else would be raised in him. The saints would stay dead too! There is only ONE NAME by which men may be saved. Acts 4:12

His whole life was about learning and being 'completed or made perfect' - both to be the high priest and to learn reliance on his Father for everything in order to be the perfect sacrifice! The next verses gives context for v7,

Heb 5:8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation...

If Jesus sinned he would not be able to be raised again - ever! Death had a power over him via the chance that he might sin just once!

Rom 6:9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.

Jesus lived in the flesh and looked forward to being alive in the spirit after his resurrection - this is when he could NOT die anymore,

1 Pet 3:18 ‘For Christ also died for sins once for all… so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit’

It was this that he was praying for, as only the Father working in and through Jesus' obedience (learned through suffering) could keep him sinless until his death against the constant temptation to do HIS will instead of the Father's.

Did Jesus suffer death or not? Yes, of course he did - humanity's salvation depends on it!

Jesus' prayers were heard/acted on as it was according to the Father's will that he be the Lamb and Saviour promised long ago. Jesus remaining sinless unto death was a 'team effort' - just as it is for all humans who accept God's call over their life.

Jesus said he could do nothing of himself - remaining sinless was chief of those things, and as a man, he could not do it alone against the formidable forces constantly about him.

++++++++++++

There are some who insist this H 5:7 verse is about Jesus being 'saved from death' by his resurrection. This is nonsense for two substantial reasons.

1. The context of - 'in the days of his flesh' cannot be ignored. This sets the foundation for what death his prayers were about. It covers the whole time he was mortal and had a fleshly life and was dependant on God for everything.
2. Jesus already knew he would be raised - he didn't need to pray for this. There are several verses about this.

I have authority (or right) to lay it down, and I have authority (or right) to take it back. This commandment I received from My Father. John 10:18 ^

...it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. Acts 2:24

These two verses alone are testament to the realty of Jesus' ultimate reliance on God to raise him after the crucifixion. His fight to remain sinless through the power of God's spirit in him and his unswerving trust in and humble obedience to God is about what he needed to accomplish to finish the mission on the cross - hence his earnest prayers.

^ the 'right' is explained here

Answer 7

Based on all evidence, it would indicate that Jesus did not die.

“Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear." (Hebrews 5:7)

Father, I thank thee that thou heardest me. And I knew that thou hearest me always." (John 11:41-42).

Luke 22:43: "When [Christ] arrived at the [Mount of Olives], He said to [his disciples], 'Pray that you may not enter into temptation.' And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, 'Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.' Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him."

Matthew 4:5-7 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” (reference to Psalms 91)

PSALM 91:10-16 10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Luke 4:10-12 10 for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, to guard thee: 11 and, On their hands they shall bear thee up, Lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Psalm 41:9-13 9 Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me. 10 But may you have mercy on me, LORD; raise me up, that I may repay them. 11 I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. 12 Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. 13 Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.

John 13:17-18 (reference to Psalms 41) "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, 'He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me."

Psalm 116:16 16 Truly I am your servant, LORD; I serve you just as my mother did; you have freed me from my chains.

Luke 22:44: "And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground."

Psalm 20:6 6Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He answers him from His holy heaven with the saving power of His right hand. “O you who lift me up from the gates of death” (Psalms 9:13)

Psalms 34:20 & 22 - 20He protects all his bones; not one of them will be broken 22 - The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Psalms 27:2-5 2"When evil-doers came upon me to eat up my flesh, Even mine adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell… 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me secretly in his pavilion: In the covert of his tabernacle will he hide me."

Psalm 21:2 - You have given him his heart’s desire, And have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

Psalm 21:4 - He asked life from You, and You gave it to him, Length of days forever and ever. His (not talking about David) glory is great in Your salvation; Honor and majesty You have placed upon him.

Psalm 91:7-9 7 Though a thousand fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, near you it shall not come. 8 You need simply watch; the punishment of the wicked you will see. 9 Because you have the LORD for your refuge and have made the Most High your stronghold,

Psalms 9:13 “O you who lift me up from the gates of death”

Matthew 12:40 40 for as Jonah* was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Jonah 2:7 (prayed and was alive) - 7 When my life was fainting away (not dead), I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.

On the basis that Jesus became a spirit or is the Holy Spirit why did an Angel need to move the Tomb stone based on below

John 20: 19-20 & 26-27 19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Psalm 116:16 Truly I am your servant, LORD; I serve you just as my mother did; you have freed me from my chains.

Romans 10:13 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Deuteronomy 21:22-23 22 If someone guilty of a capital offense is put to death and their body is exposed on a pole, 23 you must not leave the body hanging on the pole overnight. Be sure to bury it that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse. You must not desecrate the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance. which Jesus was really killed

Matthew 27:16-20 (NIV) 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Footnotes a. Matthew 27:16 Many manuscripts do not have Jesus; also in verse 17.

Luke 24:39 - "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have".

Based on the above it is unlikely that Jesus died, but was saved by God!

Answer 8

It is simple. Jesus asked God not to die. But what is the reason and what does it mean? Nowhere in the Bible refers to Jesus fear of death but the oppisite is true, So let's disgard that reason.

Just think about it in the context of his mission which depicted as a saviour and High Priest as the writer of the Hebrew see it.

Specifically, for Jesus to die, that would make him as our saviour and our High Priest. So simply put, Jesus praying not to die just means that he does not want to be a High Priest or take this position which will give hime abundance of heavenly gifts and advandages. So now he is not seeking this honor of that position. He just humbles himself and shows godly fear.

The writer of Hebrew just takes this praying as a real proof that Jesus did not not seek this position by himself or glorify himself to be a high priest and asserts that.

Why does the writer need that proof?

Because the writer knows that for anyone to be a High Priest, he must fulfill a condition, the condition is that he has not to seek this position by himself but only chosen by God. The writer just wants to say that Jesus Just fulfilled that condition and hence he is now worthy to be chosen by God to be a High Priest.

So in the garden Jesus was humbling himself by trying to not accept this position and God Just heard his deep prayer and understood his reverence or his godly fear and thus choose him.

So to answer you directly is that you understood the verse wrong, not in its context. Put it simply God heard the prayer/s of Jesus and got what Jesus really want which is not to take the advantages of the High Priest position. God heard his godly fear request and sure accepted this fear and humbleness. The following context shows that God chose him to die although he heard his praying.

Answer 9

Hebrews 5:7 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Who in the days of his flesh, with a strong cry and tears, offering up prayers and supplications to him that was able to save him from death, was heard for his reverence.

Jesus offered up prayers to him that was ABLE to save him from death does not mean he WAS saved from death.