In the name of the Father, the Son, & the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen!
What is the significance of the number 41 in the EOTC?
According to the law, as written in Deuteronomy 25: 1-3, it was customary for the guilty to be punished 40 hits.
“If there is a dispute between men, and they come to court, that the judges may judge them, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked, then it shall be, if the wicked man deserves to be beaten, that the judge will cause him to lie down and be beaten in his presence, according to his guilt, with a certain number of blows. Forty blows he may give him and no more, lest he should exceed this and beat him with many blows above these, and your brother be humiliated in your sight” (Deuteronomy 25: 1-3).
However, in this verse, Luke 23: 13-17, we see that our Lord was found innocent by the judgment of Pilate.
“Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. I will, therefore, chastise Him and release Him” (Luke 23: 13-17).
When our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was tried and judged this law was executed despite His innocence.
“So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. Then they said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him with their hands. Pilate then went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him” (John 19: 1-4).
40 (In remembrance of our Lord’s Punishment) +1 (to emulate Adam’s Prayer after being sent out of the Garden)
Adam & Eve fasted after being sent out of the Garden of Eden after they had fasted 35 days, the devil came in the form of an angel and told them that God had heard their prayers. So, they interrupted their supplication and followed the devil towards the garden of Eden. But he showed them his real identity and told them it was he who caused their exile from the Garden. They remained wounded and afflicted for 6 days.
The 35 in fasting and 6 days in affliction make 41 days.
In Dirsane Maheyewi it says Our Lord Jesus Christ was actually whipped 6666 times.
Also, in Qidasie Hawaryat Commentary it says: When He was receiving His punishment the soldiers mockingly kept losing count and restarted every time they got to 39, thus the final count was 6666.
Glory to God, Amen!