What Jesus Did! 'Innocent but Flogged' — John 19:1

Friday, November 20, 2026

[After the people called for Barabbas to be released,] Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip.
— John 19:1 NLT

Key Thought

Pilate believed Jesus was innocent, but had him flogged! It was a political move for Pilate. It was torture for Jesus. Having your back beaten and chunks of skin ripped out each time the whip struck was horrific punishment. Pilate thought the flogging would appease the blood-lust of the mob. It did not. Instead, flogging Jesus only set the stage for worse tortures that would be inflicted on him. So often, we read about people who have been touched by a disaster or a catastrophe. Because we don't know these people, the reality of their suffering doesn't really register. However, Jesus knows their suffering and their pain! They are not just faceless names on another casualty list to Jesus - they are very real, individual people; Jesus knows about them! And when we are those faceless unknown sufferers to thousands of others, we can be assured that our hardships and anguish matter to the one whom Pilate had flogged!

Today's Prayer

Holy God, thank you that you know me. Thank you that you care personally for me and my pain, suffering, struggles, temptations, tragedies, hurts, illnesses, anxieties, wounds, and weariness. In a world where I often feel like just a number, I thank you that I am always intimately and personally loved by you. I offer you my thanks in the name of the one who personally loved each individual he met, Jesus. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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Illustration

Illustration of John 19:1 NLT — [After the people called for Barabbas to be released,] Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip.

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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