Dialogue with Trypho
Chapter 94: The Meaning of Being Cursed for Hanging on a Tree
"Tell me, wasn't it God who commanded through Moses that no image or likeness of anything in heaven above or on earth should be made, yet He also instructed Moses in the wilderness to make the bronze serpent as a sign for those bitten by serpents to be saved? Yet He remains free from unrighteousness. Through this, as I mentioned before, He revealed the mystery, showing that He would break the power of the serpent that led to Adam's transgression and would bring salvation to those who believe in Him, who was foreshadowed by this sign—the one who was to be crucified—from the fangs of the serpent, which are wicked deeds, idolatries, and other unrighteous acts. If this is not the case, then give me a reason why Moses made the bronze serpent as a sign and instructed those who were bitten to look at it, and they were healed; even though he had been commanded not to make any likeness of anything."
On this, another of those who came on the second day said, "You have spoken truly: we cannot give a reason. For I have often asked the teachers about this matter, and none of them gave me a reason: therefore continue with what you are saying; for we are paying attention as you reveal the mystery, because of which the doctrines of the prophets are falsely slandered."
Then I replied, "Just as God commanded the sign to be made by the bronze serpent, and yet He is blameless; even so, though a curse exists in the law against persons who are crucified, yet no curse lies on the Christ of God, by whom all who have committed things worthy of a curse are saved."