Flogging

Flogging was a punishment for crimes most common in ancient times. It involved whipping, usually on the back, with long strands of leather hide sometimes imbedded with bone or glass to rip flesh. In the Jewish custom, 40 lashes was the most that was allowed as anything beyond this was considered to put the life of the recipient in danger. In practice Jews stopped at 39 lashes in case there was a miscount. Roman flogging knew no such limits and it was not uncommon for prisoners to die from flogging alone.

Jesus was flogged by the Romans. The number of lashes received is unknown.