NT Text: Galatians 3:13
OT Source(s):
Source: Beale & Carson (eds.), Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (2007); Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Reference Type: Direct Quotation
Connection Method(s): Typology + Contrast
Anchor Text: Deut 21:23 — Cursed Is He Who Hangs
Significance: Originally Deuteronomy 21:23 explained why a criminal's corpse (executed by stoning, then suspended from a tree for public exposure) was not to hang overnight. Roman crucifixion, though different from OT execution methods, shared the element of shameful public exposure on a gibbet—such exposure reflected divine curse according to Deuteronomy. First-century Jews would have seen the connection: Jesus, suspended on a wooden cross for public viewing and ridicule, fell under a curse. Paul omits "by God" (present in LXX)—perhaps to avoid unnecessary complication, since he couldn't afford distraction from the major issue. The two Deuteronomy quotations work together: the law pronounces a curse (3:10 from Deuteronomy 27:26), and Christ redeemed us from that curse by becoming a curse (3:13 from Deuteronomy 21:23).