Every time I think about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, I appreciate the sacrifice he made on the
cross for my sins. The crucifixion is one of the most inhumane scenes captured in the Bible.
Jesus was found guilty of accusations against Him by the wicked Pharisees and scribes who
were against Jesus and everything that He stood for. Roman soldiers tortured Jesus as part of
the consequences of being found guilty. I have taught this story a couple of times in my church.
Some of my church members have asked me, “how many lashes did Jesus get?”
In this article, I aim to help you understand more about Roman scourging. Join me as we
explore the lashes in a Roman scourging and look into what the Bible says regarding the
number of lashes Jesus got. You will also learn how the Bible describes Jesus’ lashes. Keep
reading to learn more!
How many lashes are in a Roman scourging?
No visible material contains a set of rules indicating how many lashes one would receive during Roman scourging events. Scourging was a terrifying disciplinary act in Roman society, and it was deemed illegal to engage any Roman citizen in such vile practices, regardless of what law they had broken. This rule applied only to Roman citizens. The Romans frequently used scourging to investigate and penalize non-citizens for criminal offenses in violation of Roman law.
Although Roman scourging did not have a set number of lashes, it is correct to say that crimes were punished based on the severity of the offense to enforce justice and the law, much like our justice departments do today. Based on this, Roman scourging was classified into three levels based on the severity of the crime committed.
According to scholars, Fustigatio was the first level of Roman scourging or flogging. This was the least severe form of disciplinary action. Fustigatio was intended for non-Romans who had committed minor infractions and misbehavior. It consisted of a single individual administering limited lashings to the perpetrator. Fustigatio was a warning recompense for someone who was about to commit an offense.
Flagellatio was the Roman scourging’s second level. This was by far the harshest form of disciplinary action. Flagellatio was designed for people who had engaged in serious criminal activity. It was more of a corrective measure of disciplinary action about serious crimes and repeat offenses than a preventive measure. Flagellatio was designed to cause severe pain to its victims.
The third and final level of Roman scourging is Veberatio. This was the most severe form of disciplinary action of the three, as it resulted in the death of a victim in some cases. Veberatio was designed for people sentenced to death by crucifixion, and it included whippings with a whip woven with metal, glass, lead balls, and bone.
Before their dreadful crucifixion deaths, Veberatio executed victims. It was a disciplinary measure intended to prolong the victims’ pain and suffering while heightening the cruelty of the cross. This painful and inhumane punishment was imposed on Jesus Christ by Roman soldiers acting on the orders of Pontius Pilate, who acted on the will of the Jewish people, resulting in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection after three days.
Does the Bible say how many lashes Jesus got?
The number of lashes received by Jesus is not specified in the Bible. The Bible only records the heinous events that occurred before and after Jesus’ crucifixion by Roman soldiers. Many people believe that Jesus received 39 lashes because Jewish law required that anyone found guilty of a crime receive no more than 40 lashes, but the Romans did not follow Jewish law; they had their own.
We assume Jesus received 40 lashes because it was a Jewish custom for wrongdoers, as mentioned in the Bible by the apostle Paul, a Christ follower who lived around the same time as Jesus. Paul claims he received 39 lashes at the hands of the Jews, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 11:24 of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Jesus was sentenced according to Roman law. Jesus was executed by crucifixion and flogging, which included lashing. Under Roman law, there were three levels of disciplinary action for wrongdoers based on the severity of the offense. Jesus was subjected to the most heinous disciplinary measures, which included multiple soldiers lashing him with whips made of metal, bone, glass, and lead balls.
Roman punishment included multiple soldiers lashing Jesus, but this lashing was controlled because its purpose was to cause immense pain and suffering to its victims rather than to kill them. What is certain is that several soldiers were present during these heinous acts, implying that Jesus received a large number of lashes as His punishment was the most brutal and severe of all punishments meted out to offenders.
How does the Bible describe Jesus’ lashes?
There is no Biblical context describing Jesus receiving lashes; the Bible only mentions Pilate flogging Jesus. Mark 15:15: Pilate decided to release Barabbas to appease the crowd. He flogged Jesus and handed him over to be crucified. Flogging, according to Roman law, meant being lashed. These findings lead us to speculate on how Jesus was lashed; this is not described in the Bible because it was an inhumane Roman practice.
The Bible only describes Jesus being mocked by Roman soldiers of the Governor known as Pontius Pilate, as we see in Matthew 27:27–31, which states: Then the soldiers of the Governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they bowed the knee before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit upon him, took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after they had mocked him, they took the robe off of him, put his raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
The Bible also describes how Jesus would suffer in prophetic proclamations mentioned in Isaiah 53:3–12 by the prophet Isaiah. This verse vividly describes the trials and challenges that Jesus would face while continuing with His ministry here on earth. Jesus claimed that this prophecy was fulfilled by Him according to Luke 22:37, which says, “It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors,” and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me.” Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”
There is no Biblical context describing Jesus receiving lashes; the Bible only mentions Pilate flogging Jesus. Mark 15:15: Pilate decided to release Barabbas to appease the crowd. He flogged Jesus and handed him over to be crucified. Flogging, according to Roman law, meant being lashed. These findings lead us to speculate on how Jesus was lashed; this is not described in the Bible because it was an inhumane Roman practice.
The Bible describes the mocking of Jesus by Roman soldiers, the crucifixion of Jesus by Roman soldiers, and Jesus as Yahweh’s suffering servant. The lashing of Jesus was terrifying and painful; I doubt any Bible’s authors would have recorded such inhumane torture and cruelty to Jesus, God’s son.
Did Jesus Get 39 lashes?
According to the Bible, anyone found guilty of criminal activities was accustomed to receiving not more than forty lashes. To avoid exceeding the maximum penalty for mischief, which would have gone against Jewish law, the Jews stopped lashing after the thirty-ninth strike. This is why a Jewish citizen found guilty of criminal offenses was lashed 39 times by Jewish law enforcers.
Thus, it is believed that Jesus might have been flogged 39 times, but the Bible is silent on the exact number as the flogging was done by Romans, who did not adhere to any of the Jewish laws.
Bible verses about Jesus’ lashes.
2 Corinthians 11:24 says, “five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one.”
This Bible verse states how Apostle Paul faced punishment from Jews; it indicates that he was lashed 39 times in the phrase “forty lashes less one,” meaning that he received only 39 lashes from the Jewish law enforcers, implying how many times Jesus might have been flogged.
Deuteronomy 25:2–3 says if the guilty person deserves to be beaten, the judge shall make them lie down and have them flogged in his presence with the number of lashes the crime deserves, but the judge must not impose more than forty lashes. If the guilty party is flogged more than that, your fellow Israelite will be degraded in your eyes.
This Bible verse states that any person found guilty of a crime must be lashed with not more than 40 lashes. This is the same as saying less than 40 lashes would be punishment, and so as not to reach the maximum number of lashes, Jews would stop after the thirty-ninth strike.
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
