Then Pilate
The word "Then" indicates a continuation of the narrative, following the events of John 18, where Jesus is brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate's involvement is crucial, as he represents Roman authority and the political tension of the time. Historically, Pilate is known for his role in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, a decision that has been debated for its legal and moral implications. The Greek name "Pilate" (Πιλᾶτος) suggests a man of Roman heritage, tasked with maintaining order in Judea, a region fraught with unrest and religious fervor.

took Jesus
The act of taking Jesus signifies a transfer of custody and authority. In the Greek, the verb "took" (ἔλαβεν) implies a deliberate action, underscoring Pilate's role in the unfolding events. Jesus, the central figure of the Gospels, is portrayed here as a passive recipient of human judgment, fulfilling the prophecies of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53. This moment is pivotal, as it sets the stage for the Passion narrative, where divine purpose and human action intersect.

and had Him flogged
Flogging, or scourging, was a brutal form of Roman punishment, often preceding crucifixion. The Greek term used here, "ἐμαστίγωσεν," refers to a severe beating with a whip, typically embedded with metal or bone. This act of violence fulfills the prophetic imagery of the suffering Messiah, as seen in passages like Isaiah 50:6 and Psalm 129:3. Historically, flogging was intended to weaken the condemned, making the subsequent crucifixion more expedient. For Christians, this moment is deeply significant, as it reflects the physical and spiritual suffering Jesus endured for humanity's redemption.

(1) Then Pilate therefore took Jesus.--For the connection and the force of "therefore" comp. Luke 23:21-23.

(1) That the earlier Gospels all make the darkness last from twelve until three (the sixth hour until the ninth hour). This is apparently intended to indicate the time of the Crucifixion, and they thus agree generally with St. John's account.

Verses 1-3. - (d) [Within the Praetorium.] The unjust scourging, and the crown of thorns. Verse 1. - Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. The force of the "therefore" may be seen in the foregoing observations (see especially Luke 23:23-25). He obviously fancied that the sight of their Victim's utter humiliation, his reduction to the lowest possible position, would sate their burning rage. Scourging was the ordinary preliminary of crucifixion, and it might be regarded as Pilate's verdict, or the conclusion of the whole matter. Roman and Greek historians confirm the custom (Josephus, 'Ant.,' 5:11.1; 'Bell. Jud.,' 2:14. 9; comp. Matthew 20:19; Luke 18:33) of scourging before crucifixion. It may have had a twofold motive - one to glut the desire of inflicting physical torment and ignominy, and another allied to the offer of anodyne, to hasten the final sufferings of the cross. But the governor clearly thought that he might, by first humoring the populace, in releasing Barabbas from his confinement, and then reducing to a political absurdity the charge of treason against Caesar, save the suffering Prisoner from further wrong. The morbid suggestion of a mind accustomed to gladiatorial shows, and to the sudden changes of feeling which ran through the amphitheatres at the sight of blood, not only reveals the incapacity of Pilate to understand the difference between right and wrong, but proves that he had not sounded the depth of Jewish fanaticism, nor understood the people he had been ordered to coerce. John uses the word ἐμαστίγωσεν, a purely Greek word. Matthew and Mark, who refer to the scourging which preceded Christ's being led to Calvary, use another official and technical word φραγελλώσας (identifiable with the Latin word flagellans). This does not require us to believe in two scourgings. Matthew and Mark simply refer to the scourging, which had been arbitrarily and informally inflicted, as John informs us, before the condemnation was pronounced. The Roman punishment flagellis inflicted hideous torture. "It was executed upon slaves with thin elm rods or straps having leaden balls or sharply pointed bones attached, and was delivered on the bent, bare, and tense back." The victim was fastened to a pillar for the-purpose, the like to which has actually been found by Sir C. Warren in a subterranean cavern, on the site of what Mr. Ferguson regards as the Tower of Antonia (Westcott). The flagellation usually brought blood with the first stroke, and reduced the back to a fearful state of raw and quivering flesh. Strong men often succumbed under it, while the indignity of such a proceeding in this case must have cut far deeper into the awful sanctuary of the Sufferer's soul.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Then
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

Pilate
Πιλᾶτος (Pilatos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4091: Pilate. Of Latin origin; close-pressed, i.e. Firm; Pilatus, a Roman.

took
ἔλαβεν (elaben)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦν (Iēsoun)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

had [Him] flogged.
ἐμαστίγωσεν (emastigōsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3146: To flog, scourge, the victim being strapped to a pole or frame; met: I chastise. From mastix; to flog.


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NT Gospels: John 19:1 So Pilate then took Jesus and flogged (Jhn Jo Jn)