Note: during this week when we remember Jesus’ death and resurrection, its appropriate to take some time to look at the events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion. Our current study is scheduled to return on Monday, April 1st.
“Pilate answered and said to them again, ‘What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?’ So they cried out again, ‘Crucify Him!’” (Mark 13:12-13).
It seems that crosses have become a fashion accessory in certain circles. In some cultures, crosses are commonly worn as jewelry, displayed on clothing, or hung on necklaces. Yet even though crosses may be fashionable among some, how many of us are familiar with the horrific nature of an actual crucifixion?
As we prepare to commemorate Jesus’ death and resurrection, perhaps it’s time to reflect upon the deeper significance of the cross. We can do so with a look at the experience of the One who is most closely associated with it- Jesus Himself…
“Pilate said to them, ‘What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?’ They all said to him, ‘Let Him be crucified!’ Then the governor said, ‘Why, what evil has He done?’ But they cried out all the more, saying, ‘Let Him be crucified!”
When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, ‘I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.’ And all the people answered and said, ‘His blood be on us and on our children.’ Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified” (Matthew 27:22-26).
This passage tells us that Jesus was beaten by the Roman soldiers in the interval prior to His death on the cross. This beating, called a scourging, was usually performed in advance of the act of crucifixion. A “scourge” was a whip consisting of a handle with three long lashes or strips of leather. Sharp edged pieces of bone or metal were commonly attached to these lashes.
The act of scourging was designed to eliminate a prisoner’s ability to resist crucifixion. The normal procedure was to strip the victim of his clothes and tie his hands above his head to a support column. Two soldiers (called lichtors) were then positioned on each side of the prisoner. These soldiers proceeded to take alternate turns whipping the victim. While they were doing so, the embedded metal within the scourge tore into the victim’s body. This continued until it appeared that the prisoner was near death.
While the Jewish people were limited to 39 lashes when whipping a prisoner (see 2 Corinthians 11:24), the Romans were under no such limitations. When it came to scourging, a Roman soldier had one restriction- the prisoner had to be kept alive to carry his cross.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references take from the The Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved.