Galatians 3:13
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.”
King James Version
Paul citing Deuteronomy 21:23 to show Christ bearing the Mosaic curse on the cross for our redemption.
Fulfillment References
Deuteronomy 21:23 John 19:17 1 Peter 2:24
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal'Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for... Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree' (Deut. 21:23). On the cross the Lord Jesus took the curse we deserved; God in flesh bore the law's penalty in our place, that the blessing of Abraham might come on us. The Lawgiver became the curse-bearer.
JewishDeuteronomy 21:23 marks a hanged body as accursed of God; the application to a crucified Messiah is precisely the stumbling block early Judaism found (cf. 1 Cor. 1:23).
CatholicChrist taking on the curse of the law to redeem us — the substitutionary suffering that frees from the law's condemnation.
ProtestantA keystone of penal substitution — Christ made a curse for us, redeeming us from the law's curse (Gal. 3:13).
AcademicPaul reads Deut. 21:23 of the crucifixion, transforming a text about the shame of a hanged criminal into the means of redemption — a notable exegetical reversal.
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Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, PhD · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.