The event of soldiers mocking Jesus is a significant moment in the Passion narrative, highlighting the depth of humiliation and suffering that Jesus endured prior to His crucifixion. This episode is recorded in the Gospels, providing insight into the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the nature of Christ's sacrificial love.

Biblical Account

The mockery of Jesus by the soldiers is detailed in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John. After Jesus was condemned by Pontius Pilate, He was handed over to the Roman soldiers for crucifixion. The soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, where they gathered the whole company around Him.

In Matthew 27:27-31 , it is written: "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. Then they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' They spat on Him, and took the staff and struck Him on the head repeatedly. After they had mocked Him, they removed the robe and put His own clothes back on Him. Then they led Him away to crucify Him."

Mark 15:16-20 provides a similar account: "The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called the whole company together. They dressed Him in a purple robe, twisted together a crown of thorns, and set it on His head. And they began to salute Him: 'Hail, King of the Jews!' They kept striking His head with a staff and spitting on Him. And they knelt down and paid homage to Him. After they had mocked Him, they removed the purple robe and put His own clothes back on Him. Then they led Him out to crucify Him."

John 19:1-3 also recounts this event: "Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns, set it on His head, and dressed Him in a purple robe. And they went up to Him again and again, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' And they slapped Him in the face."

Theological Significance

The mockery of Jesus by the soldiers is a profound illustration of the rejection and scorn that He faced from humanity. The soldiers' actions were not merely acts of cruelty but were laden with irony and fulfilled the prophecies of the suffering Messiah. Isaiah 53:3 foretells, "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows acquainted with grief."

The crown of thorns, the robe, and the mock homage were intended to ridicule Jesus' claim to kingship. Yet, in their mockery, the soldiers unwittingly affirmed the truth of Jesus' identity as the King of Kings. The crown of thorns symbolized the curse of sin that Jesus bore on behalf of humanity, as referenced in Genesis 3:18.

Reflection on Christ's Suffering

The soldiers' mockery serves as a poignant reminder of the extent of Christ's humiliation and the depth of His love for mankind. Despite the scorn and derision, Jesus remained silent and submitted to the will of the Father, exemplifying perfect obedience and humility. Philippians 2:7-8 states, "He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross."

This episode calls believers to reflect on the cost of redemption and the call to follow Christ's example of humility and love, even in the face of persecution and mockery.Matthew 27:27-31
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered to him the whole band of soldiers.
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Mark 15:16-20
And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
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Luke 23:11,36,37
And Herod with his men of war set him at nothing, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
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Remorse and Suicide of Judas.
... morning duties. This gave the soldiers time to mock Jesus, and Pilate
time to order and prepare the crucifixion. And so, though ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxii remorse and suicide of.htm

A Savage Duel.
... But for this red-handed man Jesus has no word. ... His soldiers and retainers mock and
deride, dressing Him in gorgeous apparel in mockery of His kingly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/a savage duel.htm

Jesus Sentenced
... And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put ... such a poor, helpless creature
as Jesus seemed to ... original word suggests, and offered their mock reverence. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/jesus sentenced.htm

Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him ...
... Jesus a mock appearance of royalty, and it was likely some cast-off military coat
or state garment of Pilate's. Pilate winked at the conduct of his soldiers ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxi third stage of the.htm

The Crown of Thorns.
... Their horseplay took the form of a mock coronation ... to know that the charge against
Jesus was that ... Foreign soldiers stationed in Palestine cannot have liked the ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter vii the crown of.htm

Christ and Pilate: the True King and his Counterfeit
... The soldiers' mockery (verses 16-20 ... Jesus was nothing to them but a prisoner whom
they were to ... Plucking the mock sceptre, the reed, from His passive hand, they ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/christ and pilate the true.htm

The Private Thoughts and Words of Jesus
... shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to ... The God and Father of our Lord
Jesus was everything ... of scribes he would have less mercy than from soldiers. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the private thoughts and words.htm

Acts of the Holy Apostle Thadd??us,
... have heard of what has taken place in Jerusalem about Jesus Christ, and ... they took
Him, and spit upon Him, with the soldiers, and made a great mock of Him ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle thaddaeus/acts of the holy apostle.htm

The Crucifixion
... One more piece of work the soldiers had still to do ... of success are true to themselves
when they mock at failure ... They who shout round Jesus, when other people are ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the crucifixion.htm

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ...
... SOME GOSPEL TRUTHS OPENED, ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES; OR, THE DIVINE AND
HUMAN NATURE OF CHRIST JESUS; HIS COMING INTO THE WORLD ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/some gospel truths opened according.htm

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Soldiers: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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