111 THE CRUX HEBREWS 2,9 IN ITS CONTEXT AT between 2,9 and 2,15 to suggest that the sub-sections 2,8b-12 and 2,14-18 are parallel to each other, with 2,8b-9 (Jesus as heavenly victim) parallel to 2,14-16 (Jesus as earthly victim) and 2,10-12 (Jesus as heavenly high priest) parallel to 2,17-18 (Jesus as earthly high priest). Such a structure sets up multiple perspectives, some of which are explored in the comments accompanying the presentation of the suggestion. If the structure has validity it could mark a step forward in a New Testament understanding of Jesus Christ as high priest. Pontificio Istituto Biblico James SWETNAM Via della Pilotta, 25 I-00187 Roma SUMMARY The note suggests that Heb 2,9 means that Jesus died physically so that he could die in the gaze of those who believe in him and thus be freed from the fear of death (2,15). It also suggests that Heb 2,8b-9 is a subsection about Jesus as the heavenly sacrificial victim and corresponds to Heb 2,14-16 which is about Jesus the earthly sacrificial victim. Heb 2,10-12 in turn is a subsection about Jesus as heavenly high priest and corresponds to Heb 2,17-18 which is about Jesus as earthly high priest.