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:
Study Note
Study Note
'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.' Paul cites Deuteronomy 21:23's curse-of-the-hanged formula as the precise mechanism of atonement: Christ absorbs the law's curse so that the blessing of Abraham might flow to the Gentiles (verse 14). The verse is the sharpest statement in the New Testament of curse-transfer as the logic of penal substitution, and 1 Peter 2:24 ('who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree') employs the same 'tree' language. Luther grounded his entire theology of the cross on this verse, calling it the heart of Galatians and of the gospel.
Other Translations
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Christ did redeem us from the curse of the law, having become for us a curse, for it hath been written, `Cursed is every one who is hanging on a tree,'
Christ has made us free from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us: because it is said in the Writings, A curse on everyone who is put to death by hanging on a tree:
Cross References
His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; …
And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the …
And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they …
And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home …
And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust …
And ten young men that bare Joab’s armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that …
And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the Lord: …
Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against …