The tree, the curse, and redemption
Paul applies the law concerning an exposed body on a tree to Christ's death and his redemption of others from the law's curse.
Historical context
The law concerns someone executed for a capital offense whose body is publicly exposed on a tree. It requires burial that same day so that the exposed body does not defile the land given to Israel.
Tradition note
Begin with each Old Testament passage in context, then examine the New Testament's wording and argument. Explicit fulfillment citations, apostolic applications, and typological comparisons carry different kinds of evidence; Protestant approaches to particular passages vary.
Avoid overclaiming
The original law regulates exposure of an executed person's corpse; it does not describe Roman crucifixion as its own original execution procedure or date Jesus' death. Paul applies its curse language to Christ's redemptive death. The argument does not assert that Jesus committed the capital offense envisioned by the original law.
Key points
- New Testament application
- Galatians 3:13–14 (New Testament application) — Paul quotes the tree curse while saying that Christ redeems others from the law's curse. He explains the crucifixion through that scriptural category and relates the redemption to Abraham's blessing reaching the nations.
Doctrinal connections
- Paul quotes the tree curse while saying that Christ redeems others from the law's curse. He explains the crucifixion through that scriptural category and relates the redemption to Abraham's blessing reaching the nations.
Scripture
- Deuteronomy 21:22–23 — The law concerns someone executed for a capital offense whose body is publicly exposed on a tree. It requires burial that same day so that the exposed body does not defile the land given to Israel.
- Galatians 3:13–14 — Paul quotes the tree curse while saying that Christ redeems others from the law's curse. He explains the crucifixion through that scriptural category and relates the redemption to Abraham's blessing reaching the nations.