We think of a serpent as representing Satan, so it may seem strange that God would use a snake on a pole as a symbol of Jesus’ crucifixion. Here are some verses that shed more light on why this particular symbolism.
1. God sent his Son in the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3).
2. For he made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Cor 5:21).
3. When he disarmed the rulers and authorities, he made a public display of them… (Colossians 2:14)
The symbolism of a serpent points not only to our sin being nailed to the cross, but Satan himself being destroyed.
