Note 1 at Mt. 20:19: The Greek word used for "scourge" here is "mastigoo," which means to whip or flog (see ref. o at this verse). Scourging was a cruel punishment of which beating with a whip was a very mild part. The Romans scourged by stripping and tying the victim in a bending position to a pole. Lashes were then administered by a whip containing iron spikes or sharp stones which tore the flesh causing terrible lacerations and even death.

Roman law prohibited the scourging of a Roman citizen (Acts 22:25) but allowed non-Romans and slaves to be examined by scourging (Acts 22:24).

Among the Jews, scourging was often administered by whips and also by rods (2 Cor. 11:24-25). The Mosaic law permitted a person to be punished by scourging in proportion to an offense but not to exceed forty stripes (Dt. 25:1-3). Therefore, the pious Jews of Jesus' day customarily administered 39 stripes so that in case they miscounted, they would still be complying with the law. Often, thirteen strokes were administered on the bare chest along with thirteen strokes upon each shoulder (as described in the Mishna). This procedure was inflicted upon the apostle Paul five times (2 Cor. 11:24).