Steven Scott Supporter Grader for the Ontario Jail Ministry

Like prisoners today, when Jesus was stripped before being scourged, He was given alternate clothes. The clothes the soldiers were gambling for were Jesus' clothes. The ones Jesus wore after that were still the property of the soldiers.

January 07 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Matthew 27:31 and Mark 15:20 specifically note that, after Jesus was scourged, His own clothes were once again placed on Him. His clothing would have been fully and finally removed at Calvary immediately prior to His being nailed to the cross, after which the soldiers cast lots to divide His garments among them, and for possession of His tunic (Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:23-24).

February 25 2018 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

jackie pippin Supporter Wife of one. Mother of two. Grandmother of four.

To my understanding, the scourging was done with the prisoner naked. Many died during the scourging from blood loss or organ damage. The tool used in the whips had a hook in it to rip the skin and muscle from the prisoner from legs to shoulders. And, depending on the mood of the soldier, the man was couraged on the chest as well. This was better achieved with the prisoner unclothed. 
During the scourging the condemned man was abused in unspeakable ways. The soldiers who performed their hideous jobs were old hats at it, thinking of new ways to amuse themselves. 

I have no specific evidence to back me up, but it seems this was the time the soldiers took possession of Jesus' clothes. Tim, I agree with you. Matthew 27:31 and Mark 15:20 specifically note that after Jesus was scourged, His own clothes were placed back on Him. Perhaps, only his cloak was placed on him. A Jewish man's cloak had an open front and was put on as we would a coat. It would have been difficult to put the tunic over a scourged man's head and pull his hands through the arm holes. And, it would have been even harder to take it off him for crucifixion because of it sticking to Jesus' bloodied body. It would not have been worth gambling for. Perhaps, it was only at the foot of the cross they bothered to look at it and see its value. 

The value in the tunic was that it had no seams. A normal tunic was two rectangles sewn together at the sides with neck and arm holes cut out. Christ's tunic had no seams. It was rare and expensive having been made on a special loom. In some places I have read, only the high priests wore such tunics. Jesus was not extravagant. Surely, this had been gifted to Him. My imagination wonders if the donor was exerting Jesus' true role as high priest whether they knew it or not.

Normally, a man on his way to death was paraded through town naked and with his skin torn from him in order to humiliate him. He was even carted were he unable to walk. Then he was to carry the crossbeam to the place of his death. Due to the torture, Jesus was unable to carry it. He was then, mostly likely, put on the cross naked for the humiliation and further torture as prisoners were crucified about 2" to 4" above the ground, not feet as some pictures represent. The closeness of onlookers must have been shameful for the dying man as they pelted stones at him and plucked his beard. The humiliation, suffering, and shame were an integral part of the cross.

Romans did not crucify Romans. Even Cicero said that the mere name of the cross, should be far removed, not only from the persons of Roman citizens, but from their thoughts, their eyes, and their ears.

The nations living under Roman rule didn't speak of it. Family members and loved ones hardly said cross or crucify. The shame was overwhelming. 

Can you imagine the spiritual revolution that took place in the hearts and minds of early Believers when the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "We preach Christ crucified," Why didn't he write that he preached Christ resurrected? (1 Corinthians 1:23). Again in 2:2, He wrote, "I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." He could have written Jesus Christ and Him the Son of God. Not only did he say the forbidden word, he reveled in it! It was his life and his message to take to the world! He used the words freely and affectionately.

Jesus on the cross changed the ugliness of human betrayal, abuse, and humiliation into the beauty of forgiveness, salvation, and grace.

Some of you know the modern hymn, The King in all His Beauty which was written and is sung by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa. The middle verse says: 

Now see the King who wears a crown
One made of shame and splinters
The sacrifice for ruined man
The substitute for sinners
As earth is stained with royal blood
And quakes with love and fury
He breathes His last and bows His head

The King in all His Beauty

How worthy, how worthy
How worthy, the King in all His Beauty

May 06 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report