Topical Bible: Salutations: Given to Christ in Derision

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In the New Testament, the salutations given to Jesus Christ in derision are significant events that highlight the mockery and scorn He endured during His passion. These instances are recorded in the Gospels and serve to fulfill the prophecies concerning the suffering Messiah, as well as to underscore the depth of humiliation He willingly accepted for the sake of humanity.

Mockery by the Roman Soldiers

One of the most poignant examples of derisive salutations occurs during the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. After His arrest, Jesus is brought before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. Following Pilate's decision to have Jesus flogged, the Roman soldiers take Jesus into the Praetorium, where they mock Him as a king. This event is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew:

"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).

The soldiers' actions are laden with irony and cruelty. The scarlet robe, crown of thorns, and staff are all mock regalia, intended to ridicule Jesus' claim to kingship. Their salutation, "Hail, King of the Jews," is a parody of the honorific greeting given to Roman emperors, further emphasizing their scorn.

Mockery by the Jewish Leaders and Bystanders

The derision continues as Jesus is led to Golgotha to be crucified. The Jewish leaders, along with passersby, also mock Him. As He hangs on the cross, they taunt Him, challenging His divine sonship and power:

"Those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, 'You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!' In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, 'He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God; let God deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, "I am the Son of God"'" (Matthew 27:39-43).

These taunts are not only a rejection of Jesus' messianic claims but also a profound misunderstanding of His mission. The mockery underscores the spiritual blindness of those who fail to recognize the true nature of His kingship, which is not of this world (John 18:36).

Significance in the Passion Narrative

The derisive salutations given to Christ are integral to the passion narrative, illustrating the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies such as Isaiah 53, which speaks of the suffering servant who is "despised and rejected by men" (Isaiah 53:3). These events also highlight the paradox of the cross: through humiliation and apparent defeat, Jesus achieves the ultimate victory over sin and death.

The mockery Jesus endures is a testament to His humility and obedience to the Father's will, as described in Philippians 2:8: "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross" . This profound act of love and sacrifice is central to the Christian faith, demonstrating that Jesus' kingdom is established not through earthly power, but through self-giving love and redemptive suffering.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 27:29
And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 15:18
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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The Confession of the Society of Friends, Commonly Called Quakers. ...
... to them for meat and clothing"as are freely given them by ... of which things the breaking
of bread by Christ with his ... Concerning Salutations and Recreations, etc ...
/.../the confession of the society.htm

The Society of Friends, or Quakers.
... 15. Salutations and Recreations."Under this head are forbidden the ... of the like nature
appointed by Christ to his ... took bread; and when he had given thanks, he ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 107 the society of.htm