“…after he had scourged Him.” (Mark 15:15)

“…after he had scourged Him.” (Mark 15:15)

Scourging was a means of punishment for crimes and was basically whipping or flogging someone’s back. Traditionally, according to Deuteronomy 25:3, a typical scourging could not exceed 40 lashes; and because of the chance that the punisher might lose count, it became a custom to only issue thirty-nine lashes lest they accidently give one too many.

Still, Christ accepted this punishment willingly and for our sake, as was prophesied by Isaiah in the 53rd chapter of his Book and entitled, “The Suffering Servant.” 

“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.”

Fr. John