Christ’s Sufferings Foretold

Prophecy 1: “My back I gave to the strikers.”​—Isaiah 50:6.c

Fulfillment: In the year 33 C.E., Jesus’ Jewish enemies brought him before Roman Governor Pontius Pilate for trial. Recognizing Jesus’ innocence, the governor tried to release him. However, because the Jews relentlessly clamored for Jesus’ death, Pilate “gave sentence for their demand to be met” and handed Jesus over to be impaled. (Luke 23:13-24) First, however, “Pilate took Jesus and scourged him,” or had him severely flogged. (John 19:1) As Isaiah foretold, Jesus offered no resistance but ‘gave his back to the strikers.’

What history reveals:

● History confirms that the Romans commonly scourged their victims before executing them. According to one reference work, “flogging was done with a whip made of a number of leather strips weighted with pieces of lead or sharp metal. The victim was . . . beaten on the bare back . . . until the flesh was torn open. Sometimes death resulted.” Jesus, however, survived this initial ordeal.