GAL 3:13 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=vital (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse on behalf of us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone hanging on a tree”—

UST Even though we humans have not continuously and completely obeyed God’s laws, the Messiah rescued us from God punishing us eternally. The Messiah rescued us by his being the one God condemned instead of God condemning us. What Moses wrote in the Scriptures shows that this is true. He wrote, “God has cursed anyone whom people have executed for his crimes by hanging his body on a tree.”

BLB Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it has been written: "Cursed is everyone hanging on a tree"--

AICNT Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,”[fn]

3:13, Deuteronomy 21:23 LXX

OEB Christ ransomed us from the curse pronounced in the Law, by taking the curse on himself for us, for scripture says –
⇔ “Cursed is anyone who is hanged on a tree.”

WEBBE Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,”

WMBB Messiah redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,”

NET Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (because it is written, “ Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)

LSV Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us, for it has been written: “Cursed is everyone who is hanging on a tree,”

FBV Christ has rescued us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.[fn] As Scripture says, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”[fn]—

3:13 “By becoming a curse for us”: meaning by experiencing the consequences of sin. The idea that this was an imposed curse by God is not the meaning here. It is sin itself that brings the curse (see Romans 6:23).

3:13 Quoting Deuteronomy 21:23.

TCNT Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.”

T4T Even though we humans have not continuously and completely obeyed God’s laws, Christ rescued us from God punishing us eternally. Christ rescued us by his being the one God condemned instead of God condemning us. What is written {someone/Moses wrote} in the Scriptures shows that this is true. It is written {He wrote}, “God has cursed anyone whom people have executed for his crimes and whose body they have hung on a tree.”

LEB Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by[fn] becoming a curse for us, because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,”[fn]

3:13 *Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“becoming”) which is understood as means

3:13 A quotation from Deut 21:23|link-href="None"

BBE 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:

Moff Christ ransomed us from the curse of the Law by becoming accursed for us (for it is written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a gibbet),

Wymth Christ has purchased our freedom from the curse of the Law by becoming accursed for us—because "Cursed is every one who is hanged upon a tree."

ASV 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:

DRA 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:

YLT 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,'

Drby Christ has redeemed us out of the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, (for it is written, Cursed [is] every one hanged upon a tree,)

RV 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 redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth/hangs on a tree: )

SLT Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having been a curse for us: for it has been written, Cursed every one hanging upon a tree:

Wbstr Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Accursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

KJB-1769 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:
(Christ hath/has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth/hangs on a tree: )

KJB-1611 Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for vs: for it is written, Cursed is euery one that hangeth on tree:
(Christ hath/has redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth/hangs on tree:)

Bshps Christe hath redeemed vs from the curse of the lawe, beyng made a curse for vs. For it is written: Cursed is euery one that hangeth on tree:
(Christ hath/has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. For it is written: Cursed is every one that hangeth/hangs on tree:)

Gnva Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the Lawe, made a curse for vs, (for it is written, Cursed is euery one that hangeth on tree)
(Christ hath/has redeemed us from the curse of the Law, made a curse for us, (for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth/hangs on tree) )

Cvdl But Christ hath delyuered vs from ye curse of the lawe, whan he became a curse for vs. (For it is wrytte: Cursed is euery man that hangeth on tre)
(But Christ hath/has delivered us from ye/you_all curse of the law, when he became a curse for us. (For it is written: Cursed is every man that hangeth/hangs on tre))

TNT But Christ hath delivered vs from the curse of the lawe and was made a cursed for vs. For it is writte: cursed is every one that hangeth on tree
(But Christ hath/has delivered us from the curse of the law and was made a cursed for us. For it is writte: cursed is every one that hangeth/hangs on tree )

Wycl But Crist ayenbouyte us fro the curse of the lawe, and was maad acursid for vs; for it is writun, Ech man is cursid that hangith in the tre;
(But Christ bought_back/redeemed us from the curse of the law, and was made acursid for us; for it is written, Each man is cursed that hangeth/hangs in the tree;)

Luth Christus aber hat uns erlöset von dem Fluch des Gesetzes, da er ward ein Fluch für uns (denn es stehet geschrieben: Verflucht sei jedermann, der am Holz hänget!),
(Christ but has us/to_us/ourselves redeemed from to_him curse(n) the law, there he what/which a curse(n) for/in_favour_of us/to_us/ourselves (because/than it stands written: Verflucht be anyone, the/of_the in/at/on_the wood depends/hangs!),)

ClVg Christus nos redemit de maledicto legis, factus pro nobis maledictum: quia scriptum est: Maledictus omnis qui pendet in ligno:[fn]
(Christ/Messiah us redeemed from/about curse law, became for us cursetum: because written it_is: Cursed everyone who/which hangs in/into/on wood: )

3.13 Factus pro nobis, id est, reputatus non solum maledictus, sed etiam maledictum. Vel, Factus est rei veritate maledictus, id est, mortalis. Maledictus qui pendet. Quasi: Satis ad pœnam sit quod suspensus moritur reus: et quod illic est usque ad vesperam, ut tunc deponatur et sepeliatur, ne si ibi sit diutius, majus sit opprobrium: et macula generi ejus. Omnis homo. Etiam Christus, ne futuri hæretici negent ejus veram mortem.

3.13 Became for us, that it_is, reputed not/no only cursetus, but also cursetum. Or, Became it_is of_the_thing with_truth cursetus, that it_is, mortalis. Cursed who/which hangs. Quasi: Satis to punishment be that suspensus he_dies guilty/criminal: and that there it_is until to evening, as then deponatur and sepeliatur, not when/but_if there be longer/too_long, greater be reproach: and blemish/stain to_breed his. Everyone human. Yes Christ/Messiah, not of_the_future heretics negent his true death.

UGNT Χριστὸς ἡμᾶς ἐξηγόρασεν ἐκ τῆς κατάρας τοῦ νόμου, γενόμενος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν κατάρα, ὅτι γέγραπται, ἐπικατάρατος πᾶς ὁ κρεμάμενος ἐπὶ ξύλου,
(Ⱪristos haʸmas exaʸgorasen ek taʸs kataras tou nomou, genomenos huper haʸmōn katara, hoti gegraptai, epikataratos pas ho kremamenos epi xulou,)

SBL-GNT Χριστὸς ἡμᾶς ἐξηγόρασεν ἐκ τῆς κατάρας τοῦ νόμου γενόμενος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν κατάρα, ⸂ὅτι γέγραπται⸃· Ἐπικατάρατος πᾶς ὁ κρεμάμενος ἐπὶ ξύλου,
(Ⱪristos haʸmas exaʸgorasen ek taʸs kataras tou nomou genomenos huper haʸmōn katara, ⸂hoti gegraptai⸃; Epikataratos pas ho kremamenos epi xulou,)

RP-GNT Χριστὸς ἡμᾶς ἐξηγόρασεν ἐκ τῆς κατάρας τοῦ νόμου, γενόμενος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν κατάρα· γέγραπται γάρ, Ἐπικατάρατος πᾶς ὁ κρεμάμενος ἐπὶ ξύλου·
(Ⱪristos haʸmas exaʸgorasen ek taʸs kataras tou nomou, genomenos huper haʸmōn katara; gegraptai gar, Epikataratos pas ho kremamenos epi xulou;)

TC-GNT Χριστὸς ἡμᾶς ἐξηγόρασεν ἐκ τῆς κατάρας τοῦ νόμου, γενόμενος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν κατάρα· [fn]γέγραπται γάρ, Ἐπικατάρατος πᾶς ὁ κρεμάμενος ἐπὶ ξύλου·
(Ⱪristos haʸmas exaʸgorasen ek taʸs kataras tou nomou, genomenos huper haʸmōn katara; gegraptai gar, Epikataratos pas ho kremamenos epi xulou; )

3:13 γεγραπται γαρ ¦ οτι γεγραπται CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:1–14: We are justified by believing, not by obeying the law

In this section, Paul contrasted “doing” and “believing.” He began by rebuking the Galatians because they had forgotten something. They had forgotten that they had been made right with God (justified) and had received the Holy Spirit by believing. They should not then begin to do/obey the law to be made right with God.

Being made right with God (justification) has always been an issue of believing. Abraham himself was justified because he believed. People who are Abraham’s children are those who believe. They are the ones who are blessed. People who try to be made right with God by obeying the law are cursed, because no one can obey the entire law.

Paul wanted the Galatians to change their ways. He was convinced that if they thought about their actions and understood the truth, they would change.

Some other examples for a heading for this section are:

Justification by Law or by Faith? (NET)

Law or Faith

Paragraph 3:10–14

In this paragraph, Paul stated that people who want to be justified through obedience to the law are under a curse. But Christ freed us from the curse of the law by his death on the cross. People who have faith in Christ receive a blessing instead of a curse. It was God’s purpose that by faith the Gentiles would share in the blessing of Abraham and receive the Spirit.

3:13a

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law

But now, Christ has released us^(incl) from the condemnation that comes through the law
Jesus Christ paid the price to free us from God’s anger at us for not obeying the law.
We do not obey the law, and/so we deserve/merit that God curse/punish us. But Christ freed/saved us from that curse/punishment.

In 3:13, Paul returned to the idea of “curse” that he first mentioned in 3:10c.

Christ redeemed us: The Greek word that the BSB translates as redeemed means “released a prisoner or slave by paying the price (a ransom) necessary to free him.” The “price” that Christ had to pay to release us was to suffer pain and humiliation and to die on the cross for us. Jesus freed us from the curse of the law by means of his death on the cross.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

released/freed

rescued (CEV)

saved

paid the price to free us (GW)

3:13b

by becoming a curse for us.

when he was condemned in our place,
He did that by accepting that God punish him instead of us.
He changed places with us and received our punishment when he died on the cross.

by becoming a curse for us: This phrase is the means by which Christ redeemed us. He redeemed us by becoming a curse in our place. He did this when he allowed himself to be condemned/punished for us and died on the cross.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

by being condemned/punished in our place

when God punished him instead of us

He was our replacement/substitute for receiving punishment.

3:13c

For it is written:

because it is written in the Scriptures,
The Scriptures say,
We see this in the writings that say that

For: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as For introduces Paul’s basis/support for saying that Christ became a curse for us (in 3:13b). That basis/support is a verse of Scripture.

Some other ways to introduce this basis are:

This is because (CEV)

because

Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, no conjunction will be necessary here either.

In other languages, it will be more natural to put the basis first. For example:

^cIt is written, ^d“Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.” ^bSo, Christ became a curse for us, ^awhen he redeemed us from the curse of the law.

it is written: This phrase introduces a quotation from the Old Testament. The quotation is from Deuteronomy 21:23.

Some other ways to introduce this quotation are:

here is what the Scripture says

in God’s Holy Book it is written

we read in the Scriptures that

3:13d

“Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

“Anyone who is hung on a tree is condemned.”
“A person who is hung on a wooden post has been punished by God.”
if they hang someone on a tree/post, it shows that God has punished that person.

Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree: In the Old Testament, some crimes were so terrible that the people who committed them were punished by being killed. Then the body of the dead person was hung on a tree or post for all to see. In that way, the people were reminded that sin was disgusting to God. God condemned and punished sin.

Paul applied this verse to Christ. Christ died by being crucified. Death by crucifixion means that his body was hung on a cross. A cross can be referred to as a tree since it is made from wood. The fact that Christ was crucified is God’s way of showing us that Christ became the curse for us.

By the time of Christ, a person was hung on a tree/cross in order to kill him. In the Old Testament, the person hung on a tree was already dead. So be careful to translate this verse so that it applies to both situations.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Anyone who is hung on a tree is condemned.

A person who is hung on a tree is cursed/punished by God.

If someone is condemned to die and hung on a tree/post, it shows that God has punished him.

tree: This word does not necessarily refer to a living tree. It could be a dead tree, or the wood from a tree, such as a post or pole.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐξηγόρασεν

redeemed

Paul uses the metaphor of a person buying back lost property or buying the freedom of a slave to illustrate the meaning of God sending Jesus to pay for people’s sins by dying on the cross. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning plainly.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

ἡμᾶς & ἡμῶν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Χριστός ἡμάς ἐξηγόρασεν ἐκ τῆς κατάρας τοῦ νόμου γενόμενος ὑπέρ ἡμῶν κατάρα ὅτι γέγραπται Ἐπικατάρατος πᾶς ὁ κρεμάμενος ἐπί ξύλου)

When Paul says us here, he is including the Galatian believers, so both occurrences of us would be inclusive. Your language may require you to mark these forms.

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἐκ τῆς κατάρας τοῦ νόμου & κατάρα

from the curse ˱of˲_the law & ˓a˒_curse

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of curse, you could express the same idea with a verb phrase. Alternate translation: [from being cursed by the law … cursed]

Note 4 topic: grammar-collectivenouns

τοῦ νόμου

˱of˲_the law

See how you translated the phrase the law in [2:16](../02/016.md).

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

κατάρα

˓a˒_curse

By using the phrase, a curse, Paul is describing a person who is cursed by God by association with the curse itself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [one who was cursed by God] or [one whom God cursed]

ὑπὲρ

Alternate translation: [for]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ὅτι γέγραπται

because ˱it˲_˓has_been˒_written

The phrase for it is written is introducing a quotation from Deuteronomy 21:23. See how you translated the phrase for it is written in [3:10](../03/10.md) where it is also introducing a quotation from Scripture.

Note 7 topic: writing-quotations

ἐπικατάρατος πᾶς ὁ κρεμάμενος ἐπὶ ξύλου

The sentence Cursed is everyone hanging on a tree is a quotation from Deuteronomy 21:23. Use a natural way of indicating that something is a quotation.

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ξύλου

˓a˒_tree