To scourge or not to scourge?

[cyrano100uk]

Ok so I am not a big fan of scourging. I prefer a hot fit man beginning his time on the cross in his sweaty prime. That’s just me and I get that it’s part of the fantasy for others.
One thing I have always wondered about is that we get the idea of scourging primarily if not fully from the story of Jesus.
Now if my memory is correct from my time as a catholic schoolboy Pontius Pilate was reluctant to crucify Jesus and had him scourged as an alternative. But when the crowd still wanted crucifixion he reluctantly agreed. I don’t remember the two thieves getting the same treatment which suggests it wasn’t the norm. Also I remember from somewhere that when they came to finish the thieves off at the end of the day Pilate was surprised that Jesus was already dead. Caused by his unusual treatment? A “gentle” use of the whip along the way to the execution grounds to keep things moving is perfectly fine
Thoughts?

 

[voyeurjerome]

Yes, I completely agree. One of the examples we have of the crucifixion is that of Jesus. It is the only time where there is mention of a prior flagellation.
As you point out, when Pilate has Jesus flagellated he does not want to crucify him.
The Roman flagellation was a very severe punishment: the flagrum tore off the flesh, sometimes the victim died from it. This could explain why Jesus, to the surprise of the Romans, survived only a few hours on the cross.

 

[Naraku]

Yes, I completely agree. One of the examples we have of the crucifixion is that of Jesus. It is the only time where there is mention of a prior flagellation.
As you point out, when Pilate has Jesus flagellated he does not want to crucify him.
The Roman flagellation was a very severe punishment: the flagrum tore off the flesh, sometimes the victim died from it. This could explain why Jesus, to the surprise of the Romans, survived only a few hours on the cross.

That is only in Luke and John's Gospel. In Matthew and Mark, Pilate condemns Jesus after the crowd chooses to have Barabbas freed and he is taken away and flogged before being crucified.
Luke and John were both written for a converted Gentile audience and try to take some of the blame off the Roman Pilate and - especially with John - shift the blame on the Jewish leaders and the Jews themselves. Mark and Matthew were writing for primarily Jewish converts. While they do place some blame on the leadership and make Pilate somewhat reluctant, they don't attempt to clear him entirely.