True. But floggings, when they happened, varied in severity prior to crucifixion. Being flogged with a rod is not as physically damaging as being flogged with a whip, for example. Jesus was likely already in severe shock when he was crucified, based on the estimated time from being raised on the cross till the time of death.

Jesus was sentenced to 40 lashes. I think I had said earlier that was in accordance with Roman law but that I had remembered incorrectly (that’ll teach me). The 40 lashes was the maximum allowed by Jewish law. Romans would flog to death for certain crimes. For example, senators wanted Nero to be beaten to death with rods. That would have been a long, brutal beating.

Anyway, none of the scriptures mention the specifics of the flogging, only that he was flogged. Up until the late 1400s it was seen as mostly incidental to the Crucifixion. Then there started to be a fascination with the flogging because practices of the Roman empire had fallen from memory for the most part.

There are two words used in texts to describe the tool used in the flogging. One is scourge or flagellum. Flagellums were feared because they left deep lacerations from the barbs on them. They were usually the go to choice for things like treason. So, that kinda tracks. But traitors were sentenced to death, and Jesus wasn’t initially according to scripture, so there’s also that.

Pilate didn’t believe Jesus had committed a crime though and there was clearly no case for treason against Rome. Pilate was under tremendous pressure to prevent another revolt and all these Jewish leaders are causing an uproar accusing Jesus of heresy (basically). Sentencing him to a punishment of treason (flogging with a flagellum) but limiting it to the max by Jewish law may have been an attempt to split the middle, appease theb

Jews, and cover his own ass politically without executing an innocent man.

We do know Pilate tried to save Jesus' life in several ways. Also, we know he was NOT happy about the whole situation or being jerked around by a bunch or rabble rousing religious freaks (to his perspective).

The other word translates from Greek to Latin as latigó, which usually meant a whip or strap made from a durable leather, like from cow. So we can see a differing level of severity here. Scourging definitely more severe than whipping.


I think most modern scholars tend to go with the scourging by flagellum, due mostly to the belief in the short time to death. Assuming those estimates are correct, that tracks. The Passion movie certainly took that view.

But, we always have to remember it’s speculation and educated guesses. There is no known documentary evidence that is specific and consistent. Certainly, there is still a morbid fascination with the flogging that hasn’t dissipated since the late 1400s. In a way, people tend to think of the Crucifixion as incidental to the flogging now. They don’t say that out loud, of course, but since The Passion came out with that brutal brutal scene, it certainly seems to be what captures the imagination of believers.

It’s kinda weird.