Why did God choose crucifixion instead of stoning for Jesus?
Crucifixion was required because Christ had to be lifted up and placed on a tree to fulfill Scripture: “Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” By becoming that curse, He paid redemption’s price with His blood. Stoning could not fulfill that total picture or provide the atoning blood required for remission.
Les explains that God chose crucifixion rather than stoning because Jesus had to be lifted up and placed on a tree to fulfill the scriptural concept, “Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” The context connects this to Galatians 3:13, where Christ redeemed us and paid the price of redemption with His blood, being made a curse for us. It also cites Peter’s epistle, saying believers are not bought with silver and gold but with the precious blood of Christ, and Hebrews, which says that without the shedding of blood there is no remission. Although stoning was the normal death for a criminal in Israel, it would not have fulfilled the total picture. He could not have died any other death; crucifixion alone placed Him on a tree as the cursed one and accomplished the required blood redemption.
His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.
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: