Pilate's soldiers took Jesus into the governor's palace. They stripped off his clothes and put a scarlet robe on him. Then they made a crown out of thorny branches and placed it on his head, and put a stick in his right hand. Then they knelt before him and mocked him. âLong live the King of the Jews!â they said. They spat on him and hit him over the head with the stick. Then they led him out to crucify him.
Understanding the text
crucifixionRoman method of execution by nailing someone to a cross, often until they die of asphyxiation; used on Jesus and many others. was not only a very slow and painful death, but it was intended to be humiliating as well. The soldiers mocking the prisoner before crucifixion is all part of the punishment.
Jesusâ crime when presented to Pilate was claiming to be the King of the Jews, so the mocking by the Roman soldiers relates to this claim:
They dressed Jesus in a scarlet robe.
They placed a crown of thorns on his head.
They put a staff in his hand, then struck him with it.
They jeered at Jesus, saying âHail, King of the Jews.â