Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ContextFlogging, also known as scourging or whipping, is a form of corporal punishment that involves beating with a whip or rod. In biblical times, it was a common method of punishment and discipline, often used by both Jewish and Roman authorities. Flogging was intended to inflict pain and humiliation, serving as a deterrent to others.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, flogging is mentioned as a form of punishment for certain offenses.
Deuteronomy 25:1-3 provides guidelines for administering flogging, stating that a guilty man may be beaten with up to forty lashes, but no more, to prevent excessive humiliation: "If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court, and the judges will hear their case and acquit the innocent and condemn the guilty. Then, if the guilty man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall make him lie down and be flogged in his presence with the number of lashes appropriate to his crime. He may receive no more than forty lashes, lest your brother be beaten any more than that and be degraded in your sight."
New Testament ReferencesFlogging is prominently featured in the New Testament, particularly in the context of the suffering of Jesus Christ and the persecution of early Christians. Jesus Himself was subjected to flogging before His crucifixion, as recorded in the Gospels. In
Matthew 27:26, it is written, "So Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified."
The Apostle Paul also experienced flogging multiple times as part of his sufferings for the sake of the Gospel. In
2 Corinthians 11:24-25, Paul recounts, "Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea."
Significance in the Life of JesusThe flogging of Jesus is a significant event in the Passion narrative, highlighting the extent of His suffering and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah.
Isaiah 53:5 prophesies, "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." The flogging of Jesus is seen as part of the atoning work He accomplished on behalf of humanity.
Persecution of Early ChristiansFlogging was also a tool of persecution against the early Christian community. The Apostles faced flogging as they preached the Gospel, demonstrating their commitment to Christ despite severe opposition. In
Acts 5:40-41, after being flogged, the Apostles rejoiced "because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name."
Cultural and Historical ContextIn the Roman world, flogging was a preliminary punishment before crucifixion, intended to weaken the condemned and hasten death. The instrument used, often a flagellum or scourge, was designed to inflict maximum pain and damage. Jewish law, however, imposed limits on flogging to prevent excessive cruelty, reflecting a concern for human dignity even in punishment.
Theological ImplicationsFlogging, as experienced by Jesus and the Apostles, underscores themes of suffering, sacrifice, and endurance in the Christian faith. It serves as a reminder of the cost of discipleship and the call to bear one's own cross in following Christ. The willingness of early Christians to endure flogging and other forms of persecution is seen as a testament to their faith and the transformative power of the Gospel.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Flog.
Greek
2438. himas -- a thong, strap... himas Phonetic Spelling: (hee-mas') Short Definition: a thong, strap Definition:
a thong, strap, (a) for binding a man who is to be
flogged, (b) for fastening
...1194. dero -- to skin, to thrash
... verb Definition to skin, to thrash NASB Word Usage beat (5), beaten (1), beating
(3),flogged (2), hits (1), receive (1), receive...lashes (1), strike (1)....
Library
Jesus in the Hands of his Enemies
... THE NEW TESTAMENT JESUS IN THE HANDS OF HIS ENEMIES. The men who seized
Jesus mocked him andflogged him. They also blindfolded him...
Seemingly from the Dawn of Man all Nations have had Governments...
... kicked by a million feet. If a man isflogged we allflogged him; if a man
is hanged, we all hanged him. That is the only possible...
But the Important Point Here is Only that You Cannot Anyhow Get...
... To sum it up in one sentence: I think my meek little madman might have understood
that there is many a boy who would rather beflogged, and unjustlyflogged...
The Acceptance of the Christian Conception of Life Will Emancipate...
... And so theyflogged one another until a simpleton was found who would not allow
himself to beflogged, and shouted to his companions not to flog one another....
The Family of a Saint
... He would even have hit his wife orflogged the skin off her back if the quietude
of this woman, her dignity and Christian mildness, had not overawed him....
Against "The Roaring Lions"
... virgins. The father at first had shouted at the deserter, andflogged her
unmercifully by way of improving her state of mind. Augustin...
Index of Names and Subjects.
... of the sacred vessels, 250; controversy with other prophets, 258; his prophesying
vindicated by history, 259; arrested andflogged, 275; controversy as to...
Two Safe
... most serious. The father loved him dearly; but he nerved himself to flog
the boy, and twice he was tied up andflogged. But they...
Religious Sects and Parties
... They tossed their limbs wildly, they dashed themselves down on the ground in mud
or snow, and cruelly "flagellated" (orflogged) themselves with whips, while...
God was Justified in Forbidding Man to Eat of the Tree of...
... for a father sometimes enjoins on his own child abstinence from certain things,
and when he does not obey the paternal order, he isflogged and punished on...
Thesaurus
Flogged (12 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Flogged (12 Occurrences).
... Matthew 27:26 Then he released
to them Barabbas, but Jesus he
flogged and delivered to be crucified.
...Released (52 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV NAS RSV). Matthew 27:26 Then he released to them Barabbas, but Jesus he
flogged and delivered to be crucified. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Crucified (42 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:26 Then he released to them Barabbas, but Jesus heflogged and delivered
to be crucified. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Barabbas (10 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:26 Then he released to them Barabbas, but Jesus heflogged and delivered
to be crucified. (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)....
Flogging (9 Occurrences)
Flog (7 Occurrences)
Handed (101 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Matthew 27:26 Then he released to them Barabbas, but Jesus
heflogged and delivered to be crucified. (See NAS NIV)....
Whipped (10 Occurrences)
... to his crime. (BBE). Job 30:8 They are children of fools, yes, children
of base men. They wereflogged out of the land. (See RSV)....
Wishing (25 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:15 Pilate, wishing to please the multitude, released Barabbas to them,
and handed over Jesus, when he hadflogged him, to be crucified....
Fools (53 Occurrences)
... NIV). Job 30:8 They are children of fools, yes, children of base men. They
wereflogged out of the land. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS)....
Resources
Why did blood and water come out of Jesus' side when He was pierced? | GotQuestions.orgDid the Romans give Jesus 39 lashes? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about self-defense? | GotQuestions.orgFlogged: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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