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86 The Messiah’s Crucifixion Tree

sentences of death. It affirms that the fourth type, which is strangulation in rabbinic termi-
nology, is indeed “hanging on a tree.” And the late Israeli scholar Professor J. Heinemann
pointed out that this Targum preserves an ancient pre-Tannaitic (i.e. Before the mishnaic
sages) tradition of punishment by actual hanging -- namely, with hanging as the cause of
death (The Temple Scroll, pp. 207-208).

In Addition to this, Yadin has reinterpreted the Nahum Commentary in light of the Temple
Scroll to support the contention that the passage in Deuteronomy does indeed refer to hanging crim-
inals alive on a TREE -- as practiced in ancient Israel. It is also a fact that crucifixion, as a form of
hanging, was also practiced later in Israel’s history. According to the Jewish historian Josephus, the
Hasmonean king Alexander Jannaeus crucified 800 rebellious Pharisees in the first century B.C.
(Wars of the Jews, IV, 6). With this knowledge it is obvious what the Jewish leaders meant when
they informed Pontius Pilate that they had a law, and by that law the Messiah must die:

The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by that law he [Yeshua] ought to die because
he made himself out to be the Son of God” (John 19:7).

The Bible records that Pilate washed his hands of the entire affair because he knew the Mes-
siah was innocent of any charge. He then handed the matter over to the religious leaders and stated:
“See to it yourselves” (Matthew 27:24). Their response indicates they understood Pilate’s action as
a statement made according to Jewish law -- absolving him from any responsibility for this action
(Deuteronomy 21:1-9). In this fashion Yeshua the Messiah fulfilled prophecy according to Jewish
law -- not Roman law (Matthew 5:17; 26:54).

In an interesting aside Melito, the well-known Bishop of Sardis during the second century
A.D., referred to the TREE as the instrument of crucifixion: “Just as from a TREE came sin, so also
from a TREE comes salvation.” It is apparent that the early Christians were well aware of the fact
that the Messiah was crucified on a literal, living TREE. Also, it is a matter of historical record that
before 326 A.D., the cross did not even exist as a Christian symbol, but was derived from paganism.
For a fascinating discussion of the origin and history of the cross, read Babylon Mystery Religion
by Ralph Woodrow.

The Two Trees

The fact that the evidence in support of the TREE -- rather than the Roman cross -- for the
crucifixion of the Messiah is overwhelming opens the door to making a profound connection be-
tween the crucifixion TREE and the Tree of Life. As we have already seen, the Greek word xulou
(or xulon) was used to refer to the crucifixion tree. In contrast, the Greek word dendron -- which re-
fers to a living tree primarily known for its fruit -- was NEVER used in this way. Significantly, the
same Greek word (xulou/xulon) that refers to the crucifixion tree is also used to refer to the Tree of
Life in the Book of Revelation! Notice!

He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes,
I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God (Revelation 2:7).

The Berean Voice March-April 2003