For He did not subject to angels the world to come, about which we are speaking.
Parallel translations
- WEB For he didn’t subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels.
- KJV For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
- BSB For it is not to angels that He has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking.
- ESV For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking.
- NKJV For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.
- NLT And furthermore, it is not angels who will control the future world we are talking about.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God did not place the coming world under the authority of angels. The age to come is destined for the rule of another, namely the Son and, with Him, redeemed humanity.
Overview
Returning to the theme of angels, the author notes that the 'world to come' is not subjected to them. This prepares for the citation of Psalm 8, which speaks of humanity's intended dominion. The point is that God's ultimate purpose for rule centers on the incarnate Son and those He represents, not on angelic beings.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Rev 11:15The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever!”
- 2 Pet 3:13But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
- Heb 6:5and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come,
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Hebrews is sustained worship of Christ: better than angels, Moses, and the priests; the great High Priest after Melchizedek who by one sacrifice perfects forever those he saves.
How Hebrews 2:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.