
Based on evidence we have, Jesus was most likely whipped by a scourging whip known as the flagrum or flagellum – though this assertion is not definitive. A flagrum or flagellum that was most likely used to flog Jesus. (Photo credit) This sadistic torture tool was made up of a short handle with bits of iron or bones attached to strips of leather.
Why was Jesus whipped with a crown?
In brief: Jesus, a Galilean teacher and miracle-worker, was savagely whipped on the orders of Pontius Pilate. Then the soldiers dressed him in purple, put a crown woven from thorns around his head, and mocked him as ‘King of the Jews’.
What is a Roman whip?
A Roman whip isn’t like the western whip that we’re used to. The Roman cat-o-9 tails was several whips tied together at the handle. Each individual braided leather whip had pieces of metal and sharp bones ‘glued’ onto the ends of it.
What was the purpose of the first whip in the Bible?
The purpose of the first whip/scourge was to elicit, if possible, the compassion of the bloodthirsty mob. The Bible records, “Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified” (Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15).
How many times was Jesus whipped in the Bible?
Some scholars argue that Jesus was whipped 39 times. This widespread but tentative guess is based on Deuteronomy 25:3. It states that a person should not be whipped more than forty times under Jewish law. Apostle Paul also said he received “forty lashes minus one” (2 Corinthians 11:24) on several occasions under Jewish authority.

How many times was Jesus whipped?
We know Jesus was flogged by the Romans just before His crucifixion (John 19:1; Mark 15:15; Matthew 27:26). However, contrary to popular belief, the Bible does not actually give the specific number of lashes Jesus received.
What was Jesus whipped with?
Many historians believe that, during the time of Jesus, Roman flogging involved the accused first being stripped of his garments. He was then tied to a low post or pillar and repeatedly whipped in humiliation.
Why did Jesus choose to face such ridicule, punishment, and death – despite his innocence and sinlessness?
At any time, Jesus could have spoken up against his wrongful persecution. Yet, he chose not to defend himself. Why?
What is a Roman whip?from bsssb-llc.com
A Roman whip isn’t like the western whip that we’re used to. The Roman cat-o-9 tails was several whips tied together at the handle. Each individual braided leather whip had pieces of metal and sharp bones ‘glued’ onto the ends of it. When the whips would strike the flesh, instead of leaving a nice, clean laceration they would dig into the flesh and stay. The flogger would then have to pull the whips out, which tore chunks of flesh off with it. The whip lashes that you normally think of are not what is produced here. Whole sections of flesh are torn off. After several blows, the back would be so shredded that parts of the spine may be exposed. The lacerations would tear into the underlying skeletal muscles and produce quivering ribbons of bleeding flesh…
Where do whippings go?from bsssb-llc.com
The whippings go from the shoulders, down the back, the buttocks and to the upper part of the legs.
Why was Jesus' blood shed?from geoffthomas.org
From the moment baby Jesus came into the world he was on a divine mission to fulfil the righteousness of his people and bear their punishment. So his blood was first shed on the eighth day of his life.
What muscles were paralyzed during the Crucifixion?from bsssb-llc.com
Hanging by His arms, the pectoral muscles become. paralyzed and the intercostal muscles are unable to act…. Crucifixion is death by asphyxiation. In order to exhale, Jesus had to push up on His feet so the tension on His diaphragm muscles would be eased for a moment.
Why did Pilate send troops to Antonia?from biblehub.com
The great excitement among the populace alarmed Pilate so much, that he sent to the fortress of Antonia for a reinforcement of Roman soldiers, and posed these well-disciplined troops round the guard-house; they were permitted to talk and to deride Jesus in every possible way, but were forbidden to quit their ranks. These soldiers, whom Pilate had sent for to intimidate the mob, numbered about a thousand.
What were the two scourges Jesus was struck with?from asor.org
But medieval artistic representations often show soldiers striking Jesus with two different scourges, one of cords with knots or spherical weights, sometimes spiked, the other a cluster of switches. These can already be found from the first half of the ninth century; both types can be seen in the thirteenth century.
What would happen if the Roman soldier's spear ruptured the heart?from bsssb-llc.com
When the Roman soldier’s spear went through His side ( John 19: 34 ), blood and water came out This is exactly what would happen if the spear ruptured the heart. The blood and ‘water’. would be separated because of pericardial effusion. Medically speaking, there is no doubt….
Jesus is whipped and mocked as king
19 Then Pilate had Jesus taken and whipped. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple robe. 3 Over and over they went up to him and said, “Greetings, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face.
Pilate questions Jesus again
8 When Pilate heard this word, he was even more afraid. 9 He went back into the residence and spoke to Jesus, “Where are you from?” Jesus didn’t answer. 10 So Pilate said, “You won’t speak to me? Don’t you know that I have authority to release you and also to crucify you?”
Crucifixion
The soldiers took Jesus prisoner. 17 Carrying his cross by himself, he went out to a place called Skull Place (in Aramaic, Golgotha). 18 That’s where they crucified him—and two others with him, one on each side and Jesus in the middle. 19 Pilate had a public notice written and posted on the cross.
Witness at the cross
31 It was the Preparation Day and the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies to remain on the cross on the Sabbath, especially since that Sabbath was an important day. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of those crucified broken and the bodies taken down.
What did the soldiers say to each other when Jesus was crucified?from biblegateway.com
His shirt was seamless, woven as one piece from the top to the bottom. 24 They said to each other, “Let’s not tear it. Let’s cast lots to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill the scripture,
Who asked Pilate to take away Jesus' body?from biblegateway.com
38 After this Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate if he could take away the body of Jesus. Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one because he feared the Jewish authorities. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and took the body away. 39 Nicodemus, the one who at first had come to Jesus at night, was there too.
What did Pilate do to Jesus?from biblegateway.com
19 Then Pilate had Jesus taken and whipped. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple robe. 3 Over and over they went up to him and said, “Greetings, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face.
Where did the soldiers take Jesus?from biblegateway.com
The soldiers took Jesus prisoner. 17 Carrying his cross by himself, he went out to a place called Skull Place (in Aramaic, Golgotha). 18 That’s where they crucified him—and two others with him, one on each side and Jesus in the middle. 19 Pilate had a public notice written and posted on the cross. It read “Jesus the Nazarene, the king of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city and it was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek. 21 Therefore, the Jewish chief priests complained to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The king of the Jews’ but ‘This man said, “I am the king of the Jews.”’”
What did Jesus say to the soldiers after he received the sour wine?from biblegateway.com
30 When he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed.” Bowing his head, he gave up his life.
What did Pilate say to the Jewish leaders?from biblegateway.com
4 Pilate came out of the palace again and said to the Jewish leaders, “Look! I’m bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no grounds for a charge against him.” 5 When Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here’s the man.”

The First Whip/Scourge
- The Bible refers to the whipping of Jesus when Pilate said, “I will therefore chastise Him and release Him”; “Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them”; “Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for deathin Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go” (Luke 23:16, 20...
The Second Whip/Scourge
- The Biblerecords, “Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified” (Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15). The mockery of vs. 27–31 actually preceded the scourging and release for crucifixion of vs. 26, 31. The purpose of the second scourge, was to administer the punishment preliminary to crucifixion according to Romans law (…
Number of Lashes
- Whipping administered in the ancient days often caused death (Matthew 10:17). For this reason, Moses instructed that the number of lashes should not exceed fortylashes: “If there is a dispute between men, and they come to court, that the judges may judge them, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked,then it shall be, if the wicked man deserves to be beaten, tha…
Prophecy Fulfilled
- The prophet Isaiah prophesied about the strips of the Messiahthat would bring healing to mankind, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). This prophecy was fulfilled by Jesus Christ who suffered in order “to heal the brokenheart…