Answers about
stripes in the Bible
Stripes are the wounds resulting from punishment by scourging.
Under Old Testament law, stripes were not to exceed 40, and so arose the custom of limiting them to 39.
“If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked. And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number. Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.” —Deuteronomy 25:1-3 KJV
The Apostle Paul reported receiving multiple such punishments for which he as innocent,
“Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes less one.” —2 Corinthians 11:24
Paul claimed the privilege of a Roman citizen in regard to threatened infliction of stripes (Acts 16:37-38; 22:25-29).
Our Lord was beaten with stripes.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions… and with his stripes we are healed.” —Isaiah 53:5 excerpt
Referring to redemption from sin’s due penalty and subsequent spiritual healing, Christ…
“…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.” —1 Peter 2:24 NKJV excerpt
“Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he delivered Him over to be crucified.” —Matthew 27:26
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