Topical Encyclopedia
Flogging, also known as scourging or whipping, is a form of corporal punishment that involves beating a person with a whip or rod. In biblical times, it was a common method of punishment and discipline, both in Jewish and Roman contexts. The practice is mentioned several times in the Bible, often in the context of legal and religious discipline.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, flogging was prescribed as a form of punishment for certain offenses. The Law of Moses provided specific guidelines for its administration to ensure justice and prevent excessive cruelty.
Deuteronomy 25:1-3 outlines the procedure: "If there is a dispute between men and they go to court, and the judges decide in favor of the righteous and condemn the wicked, then if the wicked man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall make him lie down and be beaten 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" . This limitation to forty lashes was intended to prevent the punishment from becoming inhumane.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, flogging is prominently featured in the accounts of Jesus' passion and the persecution of the early Christians. Jesus Himself was subjected to flogging before His crucifixion, as recorded in the Gospels.
Matthew 27:26 states, "Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified" . This act of scourging was part of the Roman judicial process and was intended to weaken the condemned before execution.
The Apostle Paul also experienced flogging multiple times during his ministry. 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" . The "forty lashes minus one" refers to the Jewish practice of administering thirty-nine lashes to avoid accidentally exceeding the limit set by the Law.
Symbolism and SignificanceFlogging in the Bible often symbolizes suffering, persecution, and the cost of discipleship. It serves as a reminder of the physical and spiritual trials faced by Jesus and His followers. The suffering endured by Jesus through flogging is seen as part of His redemptive work, fulfilling the prophecy of
Isaiah 53:5, "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" .
In the broader biblical narrative, flogging underscores the reality of persecution for righteousness' sake. Jesus warned His disciples of the trials they would face, including flogging, as they spread the Gospel. In
Matthew 10:17, He cautions, "Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues" . This warning highlights the cost of following Christ and the endurance required of His disciples.
ConclusionFlogging, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a historical and theological touchpoint, illustrating the harsh realities of justice and persecution in ancient times. It also points to the suffering of Christ and His followers, emphasizing themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the perseverance of faith amidst adversity.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Flog.
2. (a. & n.) from Flog.
Greek
4127. plege -- a blow, wound... Word Origin from plesso Definition a blow, wound NASB Word Usage beat* (1), beaten
(1), beatings (1), blows (1),
flogging (1), plague (3), plagues (10), wound
...Library
A Little Boy's Experience.
... He said he had been to the Protestant Sabbath-school, but his father and mother
told him he must not go there any more or he would get aflogging....
But the Important Point Here is Only that You Cannot Anyhow Get...
... In Russiaflogging is often inflicted by peasants on a peasant. In modern England
flogging can only in practice be inflicted by a gentleman on a very poor man....
Conclusion --Repent Ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand.
... The punishment offlogging by way of carrying the decrees of the authorities into
effect has been more and more frequently adopted of late in Russia, in spite...
Christ the Saviour Even of Infants; Christ, when an Infant, was...
... to be still, even when the reason wishes; nay, often is either repressed only by
some actual infliction of bodily pain, as for instance byflogging; or is...
Whether Observances Directed to the Purpose of Fortune-Telling are...
... Wherefore it is not unlawful to consider a presage of future events as proceeding
from its cause; as when a slave fears aflogging when he sees his master's...
Paul's Narrow Escape from Death
... and they threw off their clothes and flung dust into the air until the commander
ordered Paul to be taken into the castle and examined, byflogging, to find...
The Doctrines of Grace do not Lead to Sin
... You may flog a dead horse a long while before it will stir: you need to
put life into it, for else all yourflogging will fail....
The Saybrook Platform and the Toleration Act
... refusal, on the ground of conscience, to pay the ecclesiastical ones, and, as they
continued to refuse, fines and imprisonment and evenflogging became their...
"She Hath done what She Could. "
... school. However, the boy went again the next Sabbath, and the father flogged
him; every time he went he gave the poor boy aflogging....
Whether Vengeance Should be Taken on those who have Sinned...
... according to human judgment a man should never be condemned without fault of his
own to an inflictive punishment, such as death, mutilation orflogging....
Thesaurus
Flogging (9 Occurrences)...Flogging (9 Occurrences).
... So they called the Apostles in, and--after
flogging them--ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then let them go. (WEY).
...Scourging (5 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 25:3 fixed the mode of a Jewishflogging and limits the number of
blows to 40. Apparently theflogging was administered by a rod....
Scourge (24 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 25:3 fixed the mode of a Jewishflogging and limits the number of
blows to 40. Apparently theflogging was administered by a rod....
Flogged (12 Occurrences)
Ordered (264 Occurrences)
... So they called the Apostles in, and--afterflogging them--ordered them not to
speak in the name of Jesus, and then let them go. (WEY NAS NIV)....
Licking (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Lick. 2. (n.) A lapping with the tongue. 3. (n.) Aflogging
or castigation. Multi-Version Concordance Licking (1 Occurrence)....
Imprisoning (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 22:19 "'Lord,' I replied, 'they themselves well know how active I was in
imprisoning, and inflogging in synagogue after synagogue those who believe in...
Floggings (2 Occurrences)
Tribune (18 Occurrences)
... Acts 22:24 the Tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and be examined
byflogging, in order to ascertain the reason why they thus cried out...
Bade (27 Occurrences)
... ASV WBS). Acts 16:23 and, after severelyflogging them, they threw them
into jail and bade the jailer keep them safely. (WEY). Acts...
Resources
What happened between Paul's third and fourth missionary journeys? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning and significance of the crown of thorns? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did blood and water come out of Jesus' side when He was pierced? | GotQuestions.orgFlogging: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
