Introduction: The King’s Coronation Begins in Scourging
Mark 15:15 records Pilate’s final act of surrender to the crowd’s demand:
ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Βαραββᾶν, καὶ παρέδωκε τὸν Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας.
“He released Barabbas to them, and having scourged Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.”
Here we focus on the participle φραγελλώσας {phragellōsas}, an aorist active participle of φραγελλόω—a loanword from Latin flagellum (whip). Though grammatically subordinate, it conveys horrific violence and serves as a transitional marker between political compromise and redemptive suffering.
Ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος βουλόμενος τῷ ὄχλῳ τὸ ἱκανὸν ποιῆσαι, ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Βαραββᾶν, καὶ παρέδωκε τὸν Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας· ἵνα σταυρωθῇ.
Mark 15:15 offers a compressed yet powerful account of Pilate’s decision. For this lesson, we will focus on the striking participial form:
φραγελλώσας — “having scourged.”
This is an aorist active participle, but it is deeply significant for both grammar and theology. Placed before the final act of παρέδωκεν (“he handed over”), this participle describes a preceding and instrumental action, and in doing so, captures a moment of brutality that prepares the way for the crucifixion. The participle’s brevity belies its depth.
Morphological Breakdown of φραγελλώσας
- φραγελλώσας {phragellōsas} –
Root: φραγελλόω {phragellóō};
Form: aorist active participle, nominative masculine singular;
Tense: aorist (past, complete action);
Voice: active;
Case: nominative;
Usage: modifies the subject of the main verb παρέδωκε (Pilate);
Translation: “having scourged.”
Syntactical Analysis: Temporal and Instrumental Force
The participle φραγελλώσας is circumstantial, relating to the main verb παρέδωκε (“he handed over”). It is best understood as a temporal participle with instrumental undertones—it answers the question: How or when did Pilate hand Jesus over?
– Temporal: “After having scourged…”
– Instrumental: “By scourging…”
In narrative flow, it establishes sequence—scourging precedes crucifixion—but also reinforces that brutal abuse is part of the process Pilate uses to appease the crowd and execute Roman justice.
Semantic and Theological Implications
Grammatically simple, φραγελλώσας is theologically weighty:
– The verb is a loanword (φραγελλόω) from Latin flagellum—pointing to Roman imperial violence.
– Though it occupies only one word, it represents a horrific act of torture.
– In the aorist participle, it is presented as completed, emphasizing finality and irreversibility.
Theologically, this word:
– Foreshadows the suffering servant motif (Isaiah 53:5: “by his stripes we are healed”).
– Connects the Roman process of execution with the divine plan of redemption.
– Reveals that Jesus’ suffering precedes his death—and is not incidental, but essential.
Literary and Discourse Significance
Placed between the release of Barabbas and the delivery of Jesus, this participle functions as a transition from exchange to execution.
– It enhances the contrast between Barabbas’ freedom and Jesus’ punishment.
– It shows Pilate’s complicity, despite attempts to remain neutral.
– It condenses the brutality of the moment into a grammatical side clause—ironically making the violence feel more stark.
The participle demotes the act grammatically—but that narrative demotion enhances its emotional impact.
The Scourged King
With the participle φραγελλώσας, Mark compresses Roman cruelty, prophetic fulfillment, and divine purpose into a single verbal form.
– A Roman whip.
– A Jewish king.
– A grammatical hinge between freedom and crucifixion.
Grammar becomes a tool of revelation:
He was handed over—but only after being scourged.
The pain precedes the cross.
And the cross is already in view.
