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Verse 8 is my own favorite in that chapter ...

Interesting verse. You don´t think of Jesus having to learn obedience. What was he like before he "learned to be obedient"? Since he was without sin, he presumably was´t disobedient. But did he do things in ignorance that in later retrospect he could have done differently / better? Does "becoming obedient" mean more of an awareness of God´s leading? Was he less aware to begin with? Or did he "become obedient through suffering" by the very act of becoming human, since only as a human did he have to obey God, rather than being a more integral part of God, and since his whole existence as a human included suffering to various degrees?

I can only answer this way, Robinshe: Jesus is God, but He also was a man, and He is our forerunner. The one who went before us. It says in Hebrews 4:15-16,

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.. --KJV

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. -- ESV

If you put together Chapters 4 and 5, the meaning of 5:8 becomes clearer. He went through everything we have gone through, but *He* overcame in every way -- He never sinned. That is how He is our forerunner. That is why Paul in Colossians 1:15 refers to Him as the "firstborn of all creation." Jesus also said in Matthew 28, "go and tell *my brothers* to go to Galilee".

Hi Robinshe - Just to add to what joosep has said, I think it means that Jesus experienced first hand what it cost to be perfectly obedient in the face of suffering and temptation.

I've been thinking about this phrase recently too so I'm glad to see your discussion. Matthew Henry says about Christ's experience, and the lesson we learn from it: "We need affliction, to teach us submission." Just think, the Lord got it right first time, every time. Amazing.