How Many Times Was Jesus Whipped?

How many times was Jesus whipped?

The question “How many times was Jesus whipped?” comes up frequently as we dig into the profound story of his crucifixion. As a pastor, I discover that delving into the specifics of Christ’s suffering helps us comprehend the selfless love that was shown on the cross. This blog post will take you on a journey through the biblical stories, illuminating Jesus’ scourging and revealing the meaning of His ongoing suffering.

 

Understanding the Biblical Accounts:

 

1. 1. Isaiah’s Prophecy: Long before Jesus walked the earth, the prophet Isaiah foretold the suffering the Messiah would endure.

       

      • • Isaiah 53:5 (NIV): “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed.”
      • • This prophecy sets the stage for the fulfilment of God’s redemptive plan through Jesus’ suffering.

1. 1. The Scourging of Jesus: A Historical Reality

       

      • • Matthew 27:26 (NIV): “Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified.”
      • • Mark 15:15 (NIV): “Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified.”
      • • The Gospel accounts affirm that Jesus was indeed flogged or whipped as part of the brutal process leading to His crucifixion.

Quantifying the Whippings:

 

1. 1. The Roman Scourge: The Roman method of scourging involved a whip, often referred to as a “flagrum” or “cat of nine tails.” This whip had multiple leather strands, each embedded with pieces of bone or metal.

1. 1. Historical Context: While the Bible does not specify the exact number of lashes Jesus received, historical records suggest that Roman whippings were incredibly severe, sometimes consisting of 39 lashes.

       

      • • 2 Corinthians 11:24 (NIV): “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.”
      • • The mention of “forty lashes minus one” provides context for the severe nature of floggings during that time.

Symbolism in the Number:

 

1. 1. The Symbolic Meaning: The number of lashes is significant, reflecting the severity of Jesus’ suffering while aligning with the symbolic meaning of numbers in biblical context.

       

      • • Deuteronomy 25:3 (NIV): “But they must not be given more than forty lashes. If they are flogged more than that, your fellow Israelite will be degraded in your eyes.”
      • • The limitation of lashes in the Old Testament reflects a concern for excessive punishment.

1. 1. Fulfilment of Prophecy: The severity of the scourging aligns with the prophetic words of Isaiah, emphasising the depth of Jesus’ sacrifice for the redemption of humanity.

       

      • • Isaiah 53:3 (NIV): “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces, he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.”
      • • Jesus’ suffering fulfils the prophecy of being “a man of suffering.”

Significance of Jesus’ Scourging:

 

1. 1. Redemptive Purpose: The scourging was not just a physical torment; it held a profound redemptive purpose.

       

      • • 1 Peter 2:24 (NIV): “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds, you have been healed.”
      • • The wounds inflicted during the scourging were a crucial part of the atoning work of Christ.

1. 1. Identification with Human Suffering: Jesus’ willingness to endure the scourging is a powerful expression of His identification with human suffering.

       

      • • Hebrews 4:15 (NIV): “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”
      • • Jesus’ experience of suffering allows Him to empathise with our weaknesses.

Note:

When we ask ourselves, “How many times was Jesus whipped?” We are now situated at the nexus of divine purpose and history. Jesus’ severe whipping acts as a powerful reminder of the extent of His atonement and the healing potential of His wounds. The Old Testament predictions and the Gospel texts together create a clear image of Jesus’ crucifixion, one that was filled with unfathomable suffering and unending compassion.

We see our Saviour’s bodily suffering during the scourging as well as the spiritual burden of our sins laid upon Him. As the day of Christ’s sacrifice draws near, let us consider the significance of His scourging and allow it to increase our appreciation for the unfathomable love that drove Jesus to die on the cross in order to save us. Read other related posts. You can also watch our sermons on YouTube.

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