Blood Covenant (part 8)

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged (scourged), and handed him over to be crucified. – MATTHEW 27:24-26

Jesus was betrayed by Judas and taken captive by the Jews who delivered Him to the governor, Pontius Pilate. Jesus was then inspected like a Lamb to be sacrificed and was found innocent, blameless and without spot or blemish. Pilate even washed his hands saying he was innocent of this Man’s blood.

Pilate had Jesus scourged and because of the governor’s feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to the crowd and so they all chose a criminal named Barabbas. It has always been said that Jesus received 39 lashes, 39 because 40 was known to kill a man, but except for Paul’s testimony of being scourged multiple times there doesn’t seem to be any proof of Jesus being scourged with 39 stripes.

It has also been said that there are 39 root diseases of which Jesus healed by His scourging but neither is that substantiated. One fact is verified in the Old and New Testament that by the stripes on Jesus back we are healed. Every sickness, disease and infirmity has been healed by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness by whose stripes you were healed. – I PETER 2:24