The theme of cruelty, particularly as it pertains to the treatment of Jesus by soldiers, is a poignant aspect of the Passion narratives in the Gospels. This cruelty is not only a fulfillment of prophetic Scripture but also a reflection of the fallen human condition that Jesus came to redeem.

Mockery and Physical Abuse

The Gospels provide detailed accounts of the cruelty Jesus endured at the hands of Roman soldiers. After His arrest and trial before the Sanhedrin, Jesus was handed over to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate, despite finding no fault in Him, succumbed to the pressure of the crowd and ordered Jesus to be flogged. The soldiers took this opportunity to mock and abuse Him further.

In the Gospel of Matthew, it is recorded: "Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company around Him. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. And they twisted together a crown of thorns, set it on His head, and put a staff in His right hand. And they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' Then they spit on Him and took the staff and struck Him on the head repeatedly" (Matthew 27:27-30).

This mockery was not merely a display of disdain but a calculated act of humiliation. The soldiers' actions were intended to deride Jesus' claim to kingship, as they dressed Him in a robe and crowned Him with thorns, a cruel parody of royal regalia.

Fulfillment of Prophecy

The cruelty Jesus faced was foretold by the prophets. Isaiah 53:3-5 speaks of the suffering servant who would be "despised and rejected by men," and "pierced for our transgressions." The soldiers' actions, though driven by malice, were part of the divine plan for redemption. The mockery and physical abuse were not only acts of human cruelty but also the fulfillment of God's redemptive purposes.

The Soldiers' Role in the Crucifixion

The soldiers' cruelty extended to the crucifixion itself. They were responsible for nailing Jesus to the cross and casting lots for His garments, as prophesied in Psalm 22:18: "They divide My garments among them and cast lots for My clothing." The Gospel of John confirms this: "When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided His garments into four parts, one for each soldier, with the tunic remaining. It was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. So they said to one another, 'Let us not tear it, but instead let us cast lots to see who will get it.' This was to fulfill the Scripture: 'They divided My garments among them, and cast lots for My clothing'" (John 19:23-24).

A Moment of Recognition

Despite their cruelty, one of the soldiers experienced a moment of recognition at Jesus' death. The centurion, witnessing the events surrounding the crucifixion, declared, "Truly this was the Son of God!" (Matthew 27:54). This acknowledgment highlights the profound impact of Jesus' sacrificial death, even on those who participated in His suffering.

The soldiers' cruelty to Jesus is a stark reminder of the depths of human sinfulness and the extent of Christ's love and sacrifice. Through His suffering, Jesus bore the sins of humanity, offering redemption and reconciliation with God.Luke 22:64
And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote you?
Nave's Topical Index

John 19:3
And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.
Nave's Topical Index

The Scourging of Jesus.
... was taking place, and Roman soldiers were stationed in ... in silence, others speaking
of Jesus in the ... inebriated them, and increased their cruelty tenfold towards ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xxii the scourging of.htm

Jesus is Arrested.
... by these men incited the archers to greater cruelty. ... any attempt should be made to
rescue Jesus, and they therefore sent for a reinforcement of soldiers. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter iii jesus is arrested.htm

The Crowning with Thorns.
... was not, I think, present at the scourging of Jesus. ... were eagerly waiting to gratify
their cruelty by torturing ... slaves or servants of the jailers and soldiers. ...
/.../chapter xxvi the crowning with.htm

The Nailing of Jesus to the Cross.
... these wicked men to still greater cruelty, and perfectly ... When the crucifixion of
Jesus was finished, the commander of the Roman soldiers ordered Pilate's ...
/.../chapter xxxviii the nailing of.htm

Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him ...
... Knowing the unreasoning jealousy, suspicion and cruelty of the emperor, Pilate saw
at once ... [After the sentence of death the soldiers take Jesus back into ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxi third stage of the.htm

The Cruelty of Herod Toward the Infants, and the Manner of his ...
... Book I. Chapter VIII."The Cruelty of Herod toward the ... magi, to be slain, supposing
that Jesus, as was ... drachms to be distributed among the soldiers, and great ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter viii the cruelty of herod.htm

Appendix. Detached Account of Longinus.
... in all parts the truth of the Resurrection of Jesus, and the cruelty and deceits
of his enemies. At their instigation, some Roman soldiers were dispatched to ...
/.../appendix detached account of longinus.htm

The Embalming of the Body of Jesus.
... Some of these soldiers even gave assistance when desired ... had sunk deep into the head
of Jesus, in order ... pious office, the extent of the awful cruelty which had ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter li the embalming of.htm

Jesus Condemned to be Crucified.
... their victim with their eyes, the soldiers standing coldly by ... The ruffians who
surrounded Jesus untied his hands ... led, doing all with their usual brutal cruelty. ...
/.../chapter xxix jesus condemned to.htm

Jesus Before Pilate.
... And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put ... Jesus replies that it is not
for Him, arraigned and ... to curry favour with the great by cruelty towards the ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xix jesus before pilate.htm

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