Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 27:26

"Then released he unto them Barabbas; but Jesus he scourged and delivered to be crucified." — Matthew 27:26 (ASV)

Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Why scourge him before delivering him to be crucified?

Surely this was a superfluity of cruelty. The Roman scourging was something which I scarcely care to describe, one of the most terrible punishments to which anyone could be subjected; yet Pilate first scourged Jesus, and then gave him up to die by crucifixion.

The Roman scourging was one of the most terrible punishments to which anyone could be subjected. The Jewish beating with rods was a mild chastisement compared with the brutal flagellation by the imperial lictors, yet even this our Lord endured for our sakes. These were the stripes by which we were healed (1 Peter 2:24). Yet the scourging was but the beginning of the awful end. When he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Knowing Him to be innocent, Pilate first scourged Him and then gave Him up to the fury of His fanatical foes.