Bible Strands
Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — An anonymous author writes to Jewish believers under pressure to abandon their faith, urging them mid-race to keep their gaze fixed forward rather than on the "cloud of witnesses" behind them.
The words — ἀρχηγόν (archēgon) is a military or nautical term for a captain, one who goes first; τελειωτήν (teleiōtēn) means the one who brings something to its finished state. Together they frame Jesus as both the one who started the faith and the one who will complete it.
The thread — Micah 7:7 sets the pattern of fixing one's gaze on the LORD in waiting; 1 Peter 2:23 and 3:18 echo the endurance and non-retaliation of Christ's suffering that Hebrews 12:2 compresses into a single phrase.
Why it lands — It is an imperative, not a suggestion: the reader is told to redirect attention from the race's difficulty to the person who both began and will finish it. The demand is concrete — where the eyes go determines whether you finish or falter.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Cross-references
- Micah 7:7 But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.
- 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,
- 1 Peter 2:23 When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.
- Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
- Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
- Ephesians 5:2 and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.
- Hebrews 9:28 so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.
- Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.
- John 6:40 For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
- Titus 2:13 as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.