Yes, Peter deliberately used 'hanged on a tree' to evoke Deuteronomy 21:22-23, showing Israel treated Jesus as accursed.
Peter's language points back to the Old Testament law that said a hanged man is accursed of God. By using this phrase, Peter was reminding Israel that they had treated their Messiah as a cursed criminal, deserving death and public shame. This was a direct accusation against the nation for rejecting and killing their Christ.
Deuteronomy 21:22-23 — This is the specific law Peter references, defining hanging on a tree as a curse.
In Deuteronomy 21, the Law of Moses states: 'And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: 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.' This established that anyone hung on a tree was under God's curse. In Acts 5:30, Peter says, 'The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.' This directly applies the ancient law to Jesus' crucifixion. The Gospel accounts show that Jesus was indeed crucified on a wooden cross, a form of 'hanging on a tree' (Acts 10:39). The Jewish leaders hurried His burial because of this law, as seen in John 19:31.
Les Feldick explains that Peter's phrase 'hanged on a tree' is a direct reference to Deuteronomy 21:22-23, which states that anyone hung on a tree is 'accursed of God.' Les emphasizes that this was a deliberate choice by Peter to connect Jesus' crucifixion to that Old Testament curse. He shows that this was part of Peter's message to Israel, accusing them of treating their Messiah as a cursed criminal. Les also points out that the Jews understood this law well, which is why they were in a hurry to get Jesus' body off the cross before nightfall. The teaching underscores that Peter was addressing the nation of Israel specifically, reminding them of their guilt in rejecting and crucifying their Messiah, who was 'accursed' under the Law.
Peter is referencing Deuteronomy 21:22-23, where the Law states that a man hung on a tree is 'accursed of God.' Les Feldick explains that this is the background for Peter's language, making the point that Jesus was hung on a tree as a public spectacle, which signified that He was under God's curse.
Peter points the finger at Israel because, although Rome carried out the execution, Israel demanded it and caused it to happen. Les notes that the Jews 'slew' Jesus, meaning they were responsible for His death, though they didn't personally do it. This was a direct accusation of rejecting their Messiah.
Les explains that the Jews knew Deuteronomy 21 well, which is why they hurried to get Jesus' body off the cross before the Sabbath. They understood that a hanged man was accursed, and they didn't want the land defiled. This law also gave them a 'straight conscience' to accuse Jesus, because He had been hanged on a tree, even though He was innocent.
Les draws a parallel between Jesus being hanged on a tree and Judas hanging himself. He points out that Judas's suicide was also a form of hanging, and the Jews could use the Old Testament law to justify treating Jesus as cursed because of His crucifixion.
Why Did Ananias & Sapphira Die? Acts 5 Explained
and they laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. And the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors and brought them forth. Now I�ve always asked this question, ever since I read Sir Robert Anderson�s book, The Silence of God, he made the point.
Peter's Language in Acts 10
Les acknowledges that Peter uses both 'slew' and 'killed' and 'hanged on a tree,' indicating a deeper meaning, but he does not fully explain it here.
Deuteronomy 21: Accursed of God
Les explains the Old Testament law that a hanged man is accursed, and connects it to the Jews' haste to remove Jesus from the cross.
Peter's Address to Israel
Les confirms Peter is addressing Israel specifically, using the 'hanged on a tree' language to show their guilt in killing their Messiah.
Why the Resurrection Happens in Order — 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
Peter is only addressing the nation of Israel, and he's still on the same ground that he was before the crucifixion, and that was the Abrahamic covenant and the other various Old Testament covenants. So here he is addressing only the nation of Israel, "...ye men of Israel, hear these words, Jesus of Nazareth, approved of God, and so forth." Now verse 23, "...
Connecting to Judas
Les points to Judas's hanging as a parallel, showing how the curse of hanging is a recurring theme.
Why Jews Could Accuse Jesus
Les explains that because Jesus was hanged on a tree, Jews could use Deuteronomy 21 to consider Him accursed, giving them a rationale for rejection.
What Peter Really Preached in Acts 3 — Israel's Call to Repent
When Jesus spoke to the Twelve up there in northern Israel, I hope you caught it, that when He was relaying to them the things that would take place, He said He would be beaten and scourged by what people? By the Gentiles. But now here Peter is laying the blame on Israel. So I always have to be careful that people don't get the idea that only the Jew brought about His death.
Deuteronomy 21:22-23: And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: 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.
This is the OT law that defines hanging on a tree as a curse, which Peter references.
Acts 5:30: The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
Peter directly uses this phrase in his address to Israel, applying the OT curse to Jesus.
Acts 10:39: And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
Peter again uses the phrase, emphasizing the manner of Jesus' death.
Matthew 27:5: And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
Judas's hanging is a parallel that Les cites to show the curse of hanging.
In the Bible, 'hanged on a tree' refers to the method of execution by crucifixion or hanging on a wooden structure. It carries the connotation of being accursed, as stated in Deuteronomy 21:22-23. Peter used this phrase to describe Jesus' death, highlighting that He bore the curse for Israel's sake.
They knew Deuteronomy 21:23, which said that a dead body hung on a tree must be buried the same day so the land would not be defiled. Les Feldick points out that this is why the Jews requested that the bodies be taken down before the Sabbath.
According to Scripture, Jesus became a curse for us (Galatians 3:13), but He was innocent. The law's curse applied to criminals, but Jesus took it upon Himself as a substitution. Les explains that the Jews used this law to justify their rejection of Him.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did Ananias & Sapphira Die? Acts 5 Explained