What does Hebrews 2:18 mean?

Because Jesus experienced our humanity, our suffering, and our temptation, He is worthy to be our High Priest and the perfect sacrifice for our sins (John 4:6-8; Hebrews 4:15). This experience makes Jesus a valid example for us to follow (Hebrews 2:11), and one who can look to us with compassion when we fail (Hebrews 4:15).

According to the writer of Hebrews, this role could never have been fulfilled by angels, since they do not experience suffering or temptation in the same way we do (Hebrews 2:14). God's love and mercy have been extended to mankind in ways He never offered to the angels (Hebrews 2:16). Using references to the Old Testament, the author has shown that Jesus Christ's incarnation, life, death, and resurrection are exactly how God planned to fulfill His promises.

In the original Greek, Jesus' response to our times of temptation has a much stronger flavor than in modern English. The author of Hebrews uses the word boēthēsai, which implies a deeper and more meaningful type of aid than English terms like "help." The ideas of comfort and rescue are bound up in this word. It was commonly used to describe the way a parent would soothe a crying child: lovingly providing exactly what is needed. Jesus doesn't merely "assist" us when we are tempted: He offers all of the comfort and support we could ever need.