John 19:1
Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
Original Language Analysis
Τότε
Then
G5119
Τότε
Then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
1 of 9
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 9
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 9
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 9
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
7 of 9
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Cross References
Isaiah 53:5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.Isaiah 50:6I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.Matthew 20:19And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.Luke 23:16I will therefore chastise him, and release him.Luke 18:33And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.Psalms 129:3The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.Matthew 23:34Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:Luke 23:23And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
Historical Context
Roman scourging (verberatio) was so severe that victims often died before crucifixion. The third-century church father Eusebius described it as tearing flesh to expose veins and internal organs. Jewish law limited lashes to 39 (Deuteronomy 25:3), but Romans had no such restrictions. Pilate wielded scourging as political tool—intimidation through state-sanctioned brutality.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the physical brutality of the scourging deepen your understanding of "by his stripes we are healed"?
- What does Pilate's failed compromise teach about trying to partially satisfy evil rather than standing for truth?
- How does Jesus's silent endurance of scourging model response to unjust suffering?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him (ἐμαστίγωσεν, emastigōsen)—The verb denotes brutal flogging with a flagrum, a Roman whip embedded with bone, metal, or glass designed to shred flesh. This was distinct from the normal pre-crucifixion scourging; Pilate likely intended it as substitute punishment to satisfy the mob while releasing Jesus (Luke 23:16, 22).
The terseness of John's account intensifies the horror—no details, just the verb. Isaiah 53:5 reverberates: "with his stripes we are healed." Pilate's political calculus—torture as compromise—failed utterly. He underestimated both the mob's bloodlust and the salvific necessity of Christ's death. What Pilate meant as appeasement, God orchestrated as atonement. The scourging fulfilled prophecy (Psalm 129:3: "The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows") and demonstrated that Jesus's kingdom advances not through avoiding suffering but through redemptive endurance of it.