Topical Bible: The Death of Christ: Mode of Accursed

Bible > Topical > The Death of Christ

◄ The Death of Christ: Mode of Accursed ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The death of Jesus Christ is central to Christian theology, representing the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the means of atonement for humanity's sins. The mode of His death, crucifixion, is particularly significant as it was considered a cursed form of execution under Jewish law and Roman practice.

Crucifixion as a Curse

Crucifixion was a Roman method of execution reserved for the most heinous criminals and was designed to be a public spectacle of shame and suffering. In the Jewish context, being "hanged on a tree" was associated with being cursed by God. Deuteronomy 21:22-23 states, "If a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body must not remain on the tree overnight. You must bury him that same day, for anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse."

The Apostle Paul references this in Galatians 3:13 , explaining the theological significance: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.'" By being crucified, Jesus took upon Himself the curse that was due to humanity because of sin, thus fulfilling the law and providing redemption.

Prophetic Fulfillment

The mode of Christ's death was prophesied in the Old Testament. Isaiah 53:5 speaks of the suffering servant: "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." The piercing of Jesus' hands and feet during crucifixion is also foreshadowed in Psalm 22:16 : "For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet."

Public Humiliation and Suffering

The crucifixion of Jesus was not only a physical ordeal but also a public humiliation. Mark 15:24-32 describes the soldiers dividing His garments and the mockery He endured from onlookers and religious leaders. This public shaming was part of the curse, as it was intended to strip the condemned of dignity and honor.

Theological Implications

The mode of Christ's death as accursed underscores the gravity of sin and the extent of God's love. Romans 5:8 declares, "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The crucifixion demonstrates the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice, bearing the curse and wrath of God that was rightfully humanity's due.

Victory Through the Cross

Despite the curse associated with crucifixion, the death of Christ is ultimately portrayed as a victory over sin and death. Colossians 2:14-15 states, "having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross! And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."

The mode of Christ's death, while accursed, is integral to the Christian understanding of salvation, demonstrating both the severity of sin and the profound depth of divine grace.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Galatians 3:13
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On the States of Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation
... has the mode of murder, by which mode we are ... a tree or cross, that we might understand
that Christ, having been ... V. The death of Christ was a true separation of ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xxxviii on the states.htm

The Dead Christ
... always appeared"to my medical mind at least"that this view of the mode by which
death was produced in the human body of Christ intensifies all ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter xxii the dead christ.htm

How Christ Performed the Office of Redeemer in Procuring Our ...
... Scripture, however, the more certainly to define the mode of salvation, ascribes
it peculiarly and specially to the death of Christ. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 16 how christ performed.htm

Through the Fall and Revolt of Adam, the Whole Human Race Made ...
... Every one knows that the only mode in which this ... is, when by a wondrous communication
Christ transfuses into ... most incongruous to make God the author of death. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 through the fall.htm

Of the Popish Mass. How it not Only Profanes, but Annihilates the ...
... They imitated the Jewish mode of sacrificing more closely ... the simple and genuine
institution of Christ, they declined ... the same efficacy of the death of Christ ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 of the popish.htm

His Past Work.
... is given by divine inspiration a complete picture of that unknown mode of death ... under
the earth) will be reconciled in virtue of the death of Christ on the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the work of christ/i his past work.htm

The Writings of Phileas the Martyr Describing the Occurrences at ...
... no longer existed, our enemies having invented this second mode of torture ... them to
hold fast, even after his approaching death, to the religion of Christ. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter x the writings of phileas.htm

General Index of Chapters.
... The Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ. ... Christ rightly and properly said
to have merited Grace and Salvation ... THE MODE OF OBTAINING THE GRACE OF CHRIST ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/general index of chapters.htm

Index of Subjects.
... caused death of Christ, [895]410; wrought the death of the ... who swear most are least
believed, [934]63; Christ forbids all ... Types, a mode of prophecy, [963]339. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/index of subjects.htm

The Institutes of the Christian Religion
... THE DEATH, RESURRECTION, AND ASCENSION OF CHRIST. ... CHRIST RIGHTLY AND PROPERLY SAID
TO HAVE MERITED GRACE AND SALVATION ... THE MODE OF OBTAINING THE GRACE OF CHRIST ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/