Roman floggings were a daily occurrence, the courtyard would often run red with blood. These floggings were a vicious affair. Many victims did not survive them such was their severity. Whips laced with shards of bone and metal, designed to strip flesh from bone, would tear relentlessly at the exposed flesh to exact a deliberately painful punishment.
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A bigger than usual crowd was gathered this day. Maybe just out of curiosity for this ‘Leader of the Way’. Maybe more people than normal thought the victim innocent. Whatever the reason the Roman guards enjoyed the novelty of flogging this ‘King of the Jews’. The mockery served only to increase the pain and humiliation with the addition of a crown of thorns and a purple robe. The Son of God was whipped, struck, spat upon and had His beard ripped out His face. The beginning of a journey of pain that would ultimately lead to His prophesied death. |
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Visit Strathaven Castle - the site of the Roman Fort - where the Outreach Community Church have prepared the site
