And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put [it] on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

And {G2532} the soldiers {G4757} platted {G4120} a crown {G4735} of {G1537} thorns {G173}, and put it on {G2007} his {G846} head {G2776}, and {G2532} they put on {G4016} him {G846} a purple {G4210} robe {G2440},

The soldiers twisted thorn-branches into a crown and placed it on his head, put a purple robe on him,

The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns, set it on His head, and dressed Him in a purple robe.

And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple garment;

Context

The verse John 19:2 describes a pivotal moment in Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate, immediately preceding His crucifixion. After being scourged (John 19:1), Jesus is subjected to further humiliation by the Roman soldiers. This act of mockery was a common practice by soldiers towards condemned prisoners, especially those accused of treason or claiming kingship, as Jesus was falsely accused of being "King of the Jews." The scene highlights the brutal reality of Roman justice and the intense suffering Jesus endured, both physically and emotionally, as part of God's redemptive plan.

Key Themes

  • Mockery and Humiliation: The soldiers' actions—forcing a crown of thorns onto His head and dressing Him in a purple robe—were intended to ridicule Jesus' claim to kingship. This was a cruel parody, highlighting the contempt and scorn He faced from His accusers and executioners.
  • Jesus' True Kingship: Ironically, while the soldiers mocked His kingly status, they unwittingly underscored His true identity as King. However, His kingdom was not of this world, as Jesus Himself declared in John 18:36. His crown was pain, and His robe, a symbol of suffering, yet through these, He established a spiritual reign.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This suffering, though inflicted by human cruelty, aligns with Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah, particularly the suffering servant passages in Isaiah, such as Isaiah 53:5, which speaks of Him being wounded for our transgressions.
  • Divine Sovereignty: Even amidst human wickedness and mockery, God's sovereign plan was unfolding. The soldiers' actions, though born of malice, served a higher purpose in the ultimate sacrifice for humanity.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "platted" comes from the Greek plekō (πλέκω), meaning "to weave" or "to braid." This suggests a deliberate and cruel construction of the crown, not merely a haphazard tossing of thorns.
  • The "crown" (Greek stephanos, στέφανος) typically referred to a victor's wreath or a royal diadem. Here, it is twisted into an instrument of pain, transforming a symbol of triumph into one of torment.
  • The "purple robe" (Greek porphyra, πορφύρα) was a color associated with royalty, wealth, and high status in the Roman Empire. Dressing Jesus in such a garment was a direct insult to His perceived claim of kingship.

Practical Application

This verse calls us to reflect on the depth of Jesus' suffering, not just physically, but also the profound humiliation and mockery He endured for our sake. It reminds us that true spiritual authority and kingship are often found not in earthly power or outward display, but in humility, sacrifice, and enduring suffering for a greater purpose. As believers, we are called to follow His example, understanding that our path may also involve reproach or misunderstanding, yet our hope is in His ultimate victory and His reign as King of Kings.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
  • Mark 15:16

    And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
  • Mark 15:20

    And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
  • Matthew 27:27

    Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band [of soldiers].
  • Matthew 27:31

    And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify [him].
  • Psalms 22:6

    But I [am] a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
  • Isaiah 53:3

    He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
  • Luke 23:11

    And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked [him], and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

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