Verses 17-19
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. 559-60.]
"With this ’crown’ the soldiers unwittingly pictured God’s curse on sinful humanity being thrust on Jesus (cf. Genesis 3:17-18)." [Note: Grassmick, p. 187.]
Mark did not mention the staff that they placed in Jesus’ hand as a mock scepter (Matthew 27:29). "Hail, King of the Jews" is a parody of "Hail, Caesar." Their repeated beatings, spitting, kneeling as if in worship, and bowing as before a great person, intensified Jesus’ sufferings.
"Irony is a dominant feature of Mark’s story. Verbal irony occurs when a speaker self-consciously says one thing but means the opposite." [Note: Rhoads and Michie, pp. 59-60.]
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