Hebrews 2:13 – “And again, ‘I will put my trust in him.’ And again he says, ‘Here am I, and the children God has given me.’”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse continues the theme from the previous verses-that Jesus fully identifies with those He came to save. Here, two Old Testament quotes are used to show Jesus’ deep connection to both God the Father and to His people.
The first quote, “I will put my trust in him,” shows that Jesus, during His earthly life, fully depended on the Father. Even though He is the Son of God, He walked in faith and trust just like we are called to. He didn’t skip the hard parts of human experience-He lived them. He trusted God through suffering, trials, and even death.
The second quote, “Here am I, and the children God has given me,” is a picture of Jesus standing with His people-those who belong to Him. He doesn’t just lead from afar. He stands right in the middle of those God has entrusted to Him and claims them as His own. He presents us to God, not with shame or distance, but with joy and belonging.
Together, these quotes highlight both Jesus’ faith and His family.
Historical Context
The two quotes come from Isaiah 8. In that chapter, Isaiah is a prophet facing rejection and danger. He speaks of trusting God even when the people around him refuse to listen. He also speaks of himself and his children as signs from God-living reminders of God’s message and His faithfulness.
By applying these words to Jesus, the writer of Hebrews is showing that Jesus is the greater Isaiah. He also trusted the Father when others did not. And He also has “children”-not biological ones, but spiritual ones-those whom God has given Him.
This would have encouraged early believers who were facing opposition, reminding them that Jesus understands what it’s like to trust God through difficulty and that He stands with them, not apart from them.
Theological Implications
These verses show us that Jesus fully entered into our human experience. He didn’t just look like a man-He lived like one, including having to walk by faith. This tells us that Jesus is not only our Savior but also our example in trusting God.
It also shows us how closely Jesus is connected to His people. We are not just forgiven by Him; we are united to Him. He calls us His own and presents us before God as His family. This is a powerful picture of our adoption into God’s household.
Theologically, this reinforces the deep truth of incarnation-that Jesus really became one of us, not in appearance only, but in full reality.
Literary Analysis
The verse uses two short, pointed statements to continue building the case that Jesus identifies with His people. Both start with the phrase “And again,” giving a sense of building emphasis. The first statement focuses on Jesus’ relationship with the Father (“I will put my trust in him”), while the second focuses on His relationship with us (“Here am I, and the children God has given me”).
This balance shows Jesus as both Son and Savior-He trusts the Father, and He gathers and represents the children given to Him. The structure is tightly connected to the flow of thought from verses 11 and 12, continuing to highlight Jesus’ full involvement in the life of God’s people.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Isaiah 8:17–18 – The source of the quotes, spoken by Isaiah but here applied to Jesus.
- John 17:6 – Jesus says He has revealed God’s name to “those you gave me.”
- John 6:39 – Jesus promises not to lose any of those the Father has given Him.
- Matthew 12:49–50 – Jesus points to His followers and says, “Here are my mother and my brothers.”
- Romans 8:29 – Believers are being made like Jesus, the “firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For believers today, this verse is full of comfort. It reminds us that Jesus walked the path of faith just like we do. When we struggle to trust God, we can look to Jesus and know that He understands. He didn’t just teach faith-He lived it.
It also reminds us that we belong to Him. If you are a follower of Christ, He calls you His. He doesn’t keep you at a distance. He stands with you, represents you before the Father, and includes you in His family with joy.
This verse helps us know that we’re never alone in our faith. Jesus walks ahead of us, beside us, and even speaks for us.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
A loving God doesn’t demand faith from afar-He sends His Son to walk the same road. God allowed Jesus to experience human life fully, including the need to trust and obey. That’s not distant leadership. That’s intimate, personal love.
And instead of being ashamed of those who are weak or failing, God shows us Jesus holding out His arms and saying, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” That’s the love of a God who welcomes, embraces, and calls us His own.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is both the one who trusts and the one who gathers. He trusted the Father through every step of His earthly life, from birth to the cross. And now, risen and glorified, He claims us as His family.
This verse also reflects Jesus’ role as our representative. Just as Isaiah stood for God’s message in his time, Jesus stands before the Father now, not only as the Son but as the head of a new family-those redeemed by His grace.
- Hebrews 4:15 – Jesus understands our weaknesses because He lived as we do.
- John 10:14–16 – Jesus knows His sheep and gathers them.
- 1 Peter 2:9–10 – We are God’s people, called out of darkness into His light.
Jesus is not distant. He is close, faithful, and completely committed to the people God has given Him.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does it mean to you that Jesus had to trust God just like we do?
- How does it comfort you to know that Jesus claims you as part of His family?
- When is it hardest for you to trust God? How does Jesus’ example help?
- What do you think Jesus means when He says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me”?
- How can you live with more confidence, knowing you are one of Christ’s “brothers and sisters”?