Catholic Typology
Jesus the new Bronze Serpent
John 3:14-15 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
Bronze Serpent | Jesus | |
Why needed: | the Israelites sinned against God so fiery serpents brought death to them (Num 21:5-7) | the fall of man by the serpent brought sin and death to us all (1 Cor 15:21-22) |
Lifted up | on a pole (Num 20:8-9) | on the cross (Jn 3:14) |
Gives life | to anyone bitten who looks at it (Num 20:8-9) | anyone believing in him may have eternal life (Jn 3:15) |
Imagery is a curse and a blessing | fiery serpents brought death but the bronze serpent brought healing (Num 21:4-9) | his hanging on a tree was cursed (Dt 21:23) by taking on all our sins (Gal 3:13) but brought healing to us (1 Pet 2:24) |
Reason needed: the Israelites sinned against God so fiery serpents brought death to them (Num 21:5-7); the fall of man by the serpent brought sin and death to us all (1 Cor 15:21-22)
Lifted up: bronze serpent on a pole (Num 20:8-9); Jesus on the cross (Jn 3:14)
Gives life: to anyone bitten who looks at the bronze serpent (Num 20:8-9); anyone believing in Jesus may have eternal life (Jn 3:15)
Imagery is a curse and a blessing: fiery serpents brought death but the bronze serpent brought healing (Num 21:4-9); Jesus hanging on a tree was cursed (Dt 21:23) by taking on all our sins (Gal 3:13) but brought healing to us (1 Pet 2:24)