### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb μαστίζω (mastízō, `{{G3147}}`) is derived from a root suggesting "to beat" or "to strike." Its primary and consistent meaning is "to whip," "to flog," or "to scourge." This term denotes a severe form of physical punishment inflicted with a whip or similar instrument, implying intense pain, degradation, and often serving as a prelude to further torture or execution. It is distinct from more general terms for beating, specifically emphasizing the instrument and the brutality of the act.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
μαστίζω (mastízō, `{{G3147}}`) appears in the New Testament in contexts of intense suffering and persecution, particularly in relation to Jesus' Passion and the experiences of His followers.
* **Matthew 10:17**: Jesus warns His disciples, "But beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues." This passage highlights the reality of religious persecution faced by early Christians, where flogging was a recognized form of disciplinary and punitive action within Jewish communal and legal frameworks. It foreshadows the physical suffering believers would endure for their allegiance to Christ.
* **Matthew 20:19**: As part of His third prediction of His Passion, Jesus states, "and they will deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified." This is a direct prophecy of the Roman practice of *flagellation* (verberatio), a brutal whipping often administered before crucifixion, designed to weaken the victim and maximize suffering.
* **Mark 10:34**: Mark's account of Jesus' Passion prophecy similarly includes the detail that He "will be scourged."
* **Luke 18:32**: Luke also records Jesus' prophecy of being "scourged," underscoring the prophetic fulfillment in the events of His Passion.
* **Acts 22:25**: When the Roman commander was about to have Paul "scourged" to extract information, Paul, as a Roman citizen, protested: "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?" This incident reveals the severity of scourging as a form of torture and punishment and highlights the legal protections afforded to Roman citizens against such treatment without due process.
The consistent use of μαστίζω across these passages underscores a specific, brutal form of physical abuse administered by both religious and civil authorities.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{G2693}}` *katamastigóō***: A more intensive form of μαστίζω, meaning "to scourge severely" or "to flog thoroughly." This verb is used in the Gospels (Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15, John 19:1) to describe Pilate's scourging of Jesus, emphasizing the extreme brutality of the act.
* **`{{G3148}}` *mastix***: The noun form, meaning "a whip," "a scourge," or, metaphorically, "a plague" or "a severe affliction/disease." It can refer to the instrument of punishment or the suffering itself.
* **`{{G5180}}` *typtō***: A more general verb meaning "to strike," "to beat," or "to smite." While it can involve physical violence, it does not necessarily imply the use of a whip or the same level of severity as μαστίζω.
* **`{{G1194}}` *derō***: To skin, flay; by extension, to beat severely or flog. This term also conveys a sense of violent physical abuse.
* **Roman *Flagellation***: The historical context of Roman scourging, often performed with a *flagrum* (a whip with embedded bone or metal pieces), which was designed to tear flesh, is crucial for understanding the full horror implied by μαστίζω in the Passion narratives.
* **Jewish Flogging**: While different in instrument and legal limits (e.g., 39 lashes, Deuteronomy 25:3), Jewish flogging also represented a severe, humiliating punishment.
### Theological Significance
* **Identification with Christ's Suffering**: The repeated use of μαστίζω in the accounts of Jesus' Passion profoundly emphasizes the physical brutality He endured. His scourging was not merely a preliminary punishment but a significant part of His atoning suffering, fulfilling prophecy and demonstrating the depth of His sacrifice. Believers are called to identify with His suffering (e.g., [[Philippians 3:10]]).
* **The Cost of Discipleship**: Jesus' warning that His disciples would be "scourged" (e.g., [[Matthew 10:17]]) serves as a stark reminder of the reality of persecution for those who faithfully follow Him. It signifies that adherence to Christ may entail physical suffering and humiliation, mirroring the path of the Master Himself.
* **Divine Justice and Human Injustice**: While scourging was often an act of human injustice and cruelty, particularly in Jesus' case, it also serves as a grim reflection of humanity's fallen nature. Yet, within God's sovereign plan, even these acts of injustice were woven into the redemptive narrative, ultimately serving His purposes.
* **Atonement and Healing**: The physical suffering of Jesus, including His scourging, is inextricably linked to the spiritual and physical healing and redemption offered through His sacrifice. The prophet Isaiah declared, "by His scourging we are healed" ([[Isaiah 53:5]], LXX: τῷ μώλωπι αὐτοῦ ἡμεῖς ἰάθημεν - "by His bruise/wound we are healed"), connecting the physical abuse to the profound spiritual benefits for humanity.
### Summary
μαστίζω (mastízō, `{{G3147}}`) precisely denotes the act of "to whip" or "to scourge," signifying a severe and brutal form of physical punishment. In the New Testament, its usage is primarily found in the prophecies of Jesus concerning His own Passion and the persecution of His disciples (e.g., [[Matthew 10:17]], [[Matthew 20:19]]; [[Mark 10:34]]; [[Luke 18:32]]), and in the account of the Apostle Paul's near-scourging (e.g., [[Acts 22:25]]). The word conveys intense physical pain, humiliation, and often serves as a prelude to further suffering or death. Its theological significance lies in highlighting Christ's profound identification with human suffering, the inherent cost of discipleship, and the crucial role of His physical abuse in His atoning work, fulfilling prophecy and providing the basis for spiritual and physical healing.
TRV