The image of Jesus beaten, mocked, and scourged is one that brings most of us to our knees in sorrow—and respect. We hear the words, “Jesus was given 39 lashes,” somewhat as a fact chimed in songs and sermons.
But have you ever paused to ask: Did Jesus actually get 39 lashes? And what does it matter to us today?
Let’s dig up both the history—and the heart—behind that violent action.
The Historical and Scriptural Context
The practice of 39 lashes had its beginnings in Jewish law in the Old Testament:
“Forty lashes he may give him, but not more, lest he should exceed and beat him with many stripes above these, and your brother be degraded in your sight.”
— Deuteronomy 25:3
Therefore, to avoid inadvertently breaking this command, Jewish tradition set the limit at 39 lashes (40 minus one). Paul even referred to this practice in 2 Corinthians 11:24, saying, “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.”
But this is the truth: Jesus was not scourged by the Jews. He was scourged by the Romans—merciless executioners who could not have cared less about Jewish law or restrictions. Roman scourging was savage, often administered with a flagrum: a whip embedded with pieces of bone and metal, designed to tear flesh from bone.
Did Jesus receive exactly 39 lashes?
Scripture doesn’t say. The Gospels simply tell us:
“Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged.”
— John 19:1
This silence is not an omission. It’s an invitation—not to count the lashes, but to consider the cost of what He bore.
More Than a Number
39 lashes or more, this is what’s most important: every blow was for us.
Isaiah, centuries before Jesus’ crucifixion, prophesied with haunting accuracy:
“He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”
— Isaiah 53:5
“By His stripes”—not by our strength, not by our goodness—are we healed. Emotional pain. Guilt. Shame. Grief. Jesus did not just bear a wooden cross. He bore every wound you have ever known and bled so that we could be whole.
The Suffering He Bore for Our Healing
Imagine the Son of God—pure, holy, sinless—being stripped, tied to a post, and beaten until His body was unrecognizable. Not for any wrongdoing He had done, but for love. For redemption. For you.
And what were His words amidst the suffering? Nothing accusatory. Nothing cursing. Only forgiveness:
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
— Luke 23:34
This is grace in its rawest, most violent form.
So What Does This Mean for Us Today?
Whether it was 39 lashes or infinite more, Jesus endured each one so that you wouldn’t bear the weight of sin and shame alone. His stripes bring not only physical healing—but emotional and spiritual healing, too.
- When you’re feeling forgotten—recall the One who was abandoned for you.
- When drowning in guilt—recall the blood that cleansed you.
- When in pain—recall the stripes that heal.
Conclusion
It is not a matter of the number of lashes. The cross is not a number. It is a tale of relentless love. A love that did not stop at any safe point but went the whole mile- until it was finished.
So the next time you hear someone say, “Jesus received 39 lashes,” just recall: the real truth is even deeper, even more profound.
He bore every stripe necessary—to bring you peace, to bring you freedom, to bring you home.
