Was Jesus Striped 39 Times Before Crucifixion?

 

For years, I’ve heard Christians say that Jesus was whipped 39 times before His crucifixion. Some even claim that all sicknesses in the world fall into 39 categories, and that’s why Jesus endured 39 stripes. Others suggest that Roman law prohibited more than 40 lashes, so the soldiers stopped at 39 to avoid breaking the law.

But here’s the surprising truth: The Bible never specifies the number of times Jesus was whipped. So where did this idea come from, and is it accurate? Let’s explore this topic biblically and historically to separate fact from tradition.

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What Does the Bible Say About Jesus’ Scourging?

The Bible provides limited details about Jesus’ scourging. Here’s what we know:

1. Jesus Was Scourged:
   “Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him.” — John 19:1 (NKJV)
   Scourging was a brutal form of punishment where the victim was whipped with a multi-tailed whip, often embedded with sharp objects like bones or metal.
2. It Was Part of His Suffering:
   “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” — Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)
   This verse is often cited to connect Jesus’ scourging with our healing, but it doesn’t specify the number of stripes.
3. The Purpose of Scourging:
   Scourging was intended to weaken the victim before crucifixion, making the process even more painful and humiliating.

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Where Did the Idea of 39 Stripes Come From?

The belief that Jesus was whipped 39 times likely stems from a misunderstanding of Jewish law and tradition, not Roman practices. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Jewish Law on Flogging:
   In Jewish law, the maximum number of lashes a person could receive was 40 (Deuteronomy 25:3). However, to avoid accidentally exceeding this limit, the Jews would often stop at 39 lashes.
2. Roman Scourging:
   The Romans, who crucified Jesus, had no such limit. Roman scourging was brutal and often resulted in severe injury or even death. The number of lashes depended on the severity of the crime and the mood of the soldiers.
3. Misapplied Tradition:
   Over time, some Christians may have combined Jewish flogging traditions with Jesus’ scourging, leading to the belief that He received 39 stripes. However, this is not supported by Scripture or historical records.

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Who Punished Jesus: Romans or Jews?

It’s important to clarify who was responsible for Jesus’ punishment. While the Jewish leaders accused Jesus and pressured Pilate to crucify Him, it was the Romans who carried out the scourging and crucifixion.

“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him.” — Matthew 27:27 (NKJV)

The Romans had no law limiting the number of lashes, and their scourging was far more severe than Jewish flogging. Therefore, the idea that Jesus was whipped exactly 39 times to comply with Roman law is historically inaccurate.

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The Danger of Twisting Scripture

The belief that Jesus was striped 39 times is an example of how traditions and assumptions can sometimes overshadow biblical truth. While it’s not necessarily harmful to believe this, it’s important to base our faith on what Scripture actually says, not on human traditions or assumptions.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV)

When we add to or twist Scripture, we risk distorting the truth and leading others into confusion.

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The True Significance of Jesus’ Scourging

While the exact number of stripes Jesus received isn’t specified in the Bible, the significance of His suffering is clear:

1. He Bore Our Sins: Jesus endured unimaginable pain to pay the price for our sins.
2. He Secured Our Healing: Isaiah 53:5 connects His wounds with our healing, emphasizing the spiritual and physical restoration we receive through His sacrifice.
3. He Demonstrated God’s Love: Jesus’ willingness to suffer shows the depth of God’s love for us.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

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A Message of Encouragement

Whether Jesus was whipped 39 times or more, the most important truth is that He suffered for us. His sacrifice is the foundation of our salvation, healing, and hope.

“For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” — Hebrews 10:14 (NKJV)

Let’s focus on the heart of the gospel—Jesus’ death and resurrection—rather than getting caught up in traditions or assumptions.

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Call-to-Action

What are your thoughts on this topic? Have you heard the belief that Jesus was whipped 39 times? Share your perspective in the comments below. Let’s encourage one another to study Scripture carefully and build our faith on its unchanging truth.

Remember, the power of the gospel isn’t in the number of stripes Jesus received—it’s in the fact that He willingly suffered and died for us. Let’s honor His sacrifice by living in the fullness of His love and grace.