And they began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!It was enough for the soldiers that Jesus was a Jew, belonging to a race despised by many Romans, especially those in the army charged with keeping order among them. Their insincere and mocking honor of him was shameful, but it is no more so than the insincerity of many in all ages who have bowed the knee and sung, "Hail to the King," without really meaning it. read more
And they smote his head with a reed, and spat upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.We pass over this heart-breaking episode wherein the Christ endured such taunts at the hands of calloused and evil men. read more
Mark 15:19. A reed,— Or, A cane. read more
2. Jesus’ Roman trial 15:2-20During the Jewish trial Jesus had affirmed His messiahship and the Sanhedrin had condemned Him for blasphemy. During His Roman trial He affirmed His kingship and Pilate condemned Him for treason. The Roman trial, like the Jewish trial, had three stages: an interrogation before Pilate, an attempted interrogation before Herod, and an arraignment and sentencing before Pilate. [Note: For helpful insights into Roman law as it affected Jesus’ trial, see R. Larry... read more
The Roman soldiers’ mockery of Jesus 15:16-20 (cf. Matthew 27:27-31; John 19:16-17a) read more
The reddish purple robe and the crown of thorns mocked Jesus’ claim to be the Jews’ king. The Greek word porphyran elsewhere describes colors from bright red to deep blue. [Note: J. A. Alexander, The Gospel According to Mark, p. 418.] The crown of thorns was probably not a torture device but part of Jesus’ mock royal attire."It may well have been an improvised caricature of the radiate crown signifying divine kingship and frequently depicted on coins then in circulation." [Note: Lane, pp.... read more
The Trial Before Pilate. The Crucifixion1-15. Trial before Pilate (Matthew 27:1, Matthew 27:11; Luke 23:1, Luke 23:13; John 18:28). See on Mt and Jn. For the trial before Herod see on Luke 23:6.16-20. The mockery (Matthew 27:27). See on Mt.16. Prætorium] see on John 18:28.21-41. The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:31; Luke 23:26; John 19:16). See on Mt, Lk, Jn.21. Alexander and Rufus] These names occur only in Mk. They were clearly Christians of eminence, well known in the Roman Church for which this... read more
(15-21) And so Pilate, willing to content the people.—The word which St. Mark uses for “content” appears to be the Greek equivalent for the Latin satisfacere, and so takes its place in the evidence for St. Mark’s connection with Rome and the Roman Church.Scourged him.—The word, like that in St. Matthew, is formed from the Latin flagellum, and forms another link in the chain of evidence just referred to. read more
(17) They clothed him with purple.—The colour is called “purple” by St. Mark and St. John, “crimson” by St. Matthew. The two words probably indicated the same colour. read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Mark 15:17
And they clothe him with purple, and platting a crown of thorns, they put it on him.Purple ... Not only was this supposed to represent royalty in the soldiers' program of mockery, but it also had deeply religious significance imperceivable by the goon-squad that thus mocked him. There were probably three colors in the robe they cast upon Christ: blue, purple, and scarlet, these being the three colors of the sacred veil in the temple. See the introduction to this chapter.Crown of thorns ... "The... read more