Matthew Poole and continuators on John 19:1

THen Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him .

It was the custom of the Romans, when any one was to be Crucified, first to scourge him; but (as it appears) Pilate ordered it, hoping, that tho he could not prevail by any other art with them, yet by this he might, and they might possibly be satisfied with this lighter punishment; for it appeareth by ver. 4th and 12th. that Pilate had a mind to release him, if he could have satisfied the Iews, tho he had not courage enough to oppose the stream, and to do what himself thought was just, in despight of their opposition.

Marginal references: Mat. 27.29. Mark 15.1[illegible: 1 letter].