John 3:14-15
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
King James Version
Jesus comparing his crucifixion to Moses lifting the bronze serpent — the lifted-up Savior who heals all who look.
Fulfillment References
Numbers 21:8-9 John 12:32
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal'As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.' The brass serpent (Num. 21) was the type; the Lord Jesus lifted on the cross is the fulfillment — whoever looks to Him in faith has eternal life. God in flesh was 'lifted up' to draw all men (John 12:32), the look of faith healing the sin-bitten.
JewishThe bronze serpent of Numbers 21 is a deliverance narrative; the cross application is the Christian reading.
CatholicThe serpent lifted up as a type of the crucified Christ; the saving 'look' of faith (cf. the Catechism).
ProtestantJesus interprets His own cross by Numbers 21 — looking in faith to the lifted Savior brings eternal life.
AcademicJohn develops a 'lifting up' (hypsoo) double meaning — crucifixion and exaltation — using the Numbers 21 type.
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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.