Dialogue with Trypho
Chapter 95: Christ Accepted the Curse Meant for Us
The entire human race is under a curse, as written in the law of Moses: 'Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the book of the law.' No one has fully followed all these laws, and you can't deny this; some have followed them more and some less. If those under this law are cursed for not meeting all the requirements, how much more are all the nations cursed for practicing idolatry, corrupting the young, and committing other crimes? If the Father of all wanted His Christ to take on the curses of everyone, knowing that after being crucified and dying, He would raise Him again, why do you argue about Him, who willingly suffered these things according to the Father’s will, as if He were cursed, instead of reflecting on your own faults? Even though His Father allowed Him to suffer for humanity, you did not act in God’s will by doing this.
You were not righteous when you killed the prophets. Let none of you say: If His Father wanted Him to suffer so that the human race might be healed by His wounds, we have done nothing wrong. If you truly repent of your sins, recognize Him as Christ, and follow His commandments, then you can claim this; for, as I said before, remission of sins will be yours.
But if you curse Him and those who believe in Him and kill them when you have the power, how can you not be held accountable as unrighteous and sinful people, altogether hard-hearted and lacking understanding, because you laid your hands on Him?