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NASB | Matthew 27:26 Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 27:26 So he set Barabbas free for them; but after having Jesus severely whipped (scourged), he handed Him over to be crucified. |
Bible Question: Is there any information on the Roman 'flagrum', which is a part of the whip that the Romans used to scourge Jesus? For instance, what did a flagrum (or whip) look like? |
Bible Answer: FLAGRUM, dim. FLAGELLUM, (mavstix), a whip, a scourge, to the handle of which was fixed a lash made of cords (funibus, Hor. Epod. iv.3; John, ii.15), or thongs of leather (loris, Hor. Epist. i.16.47; skutivna, Anac. p357, ed. Fischer), especially thongs made from the ox's hide (bubulis exuviis, Plaut. Most. iv.1.26). The flagellum properly so called was a dreadful instrument, and is thus put in opposition to the scutica, which was a simple whip (Hor. Sat. i.3.119). Cicero in like manner contrasts the severe flagella with the virgae (pro Rabir. 4). The flagellum was chiefly used in the punishment of slaves. It was knotted with bones or heavy indented circles of bronze or terminated by hooks, in which case it was aptly denominated a scorpion. horribile flagellum. The infliction of punishment with it upon the naked back of the sufferer (Juv. vi.382) was sometimes fatal (Hor. Sat. i.2.41), and was carried into execution by a class of persons, themselves slaves, who were called lorarii. A slave who had been flogged was called flagrio (mastigivaV, Philemon, p415, ed. Mein.; Aristoph. Ran. 502, Equit. 1225, Lys. 1242; mastigia, Plautus passim; Ter. Adelph. v.2.6), which of course became a term of mockery and contempt. During the Saturnalia the scourge was deposited under the seal of the master. We likewise find that some gladiators fought with the flagella (Tertull. Apol. 21), as in the coin here introduced. The flagellum here has two lashes. William Smith, D.C.L., LL.D.: A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, John Murray, London, 1875 EdB |