Mark 15:17

KJV

And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his [head],

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they clothed {G1746} him {G846} with purple {G4209}, and {G2532} platted {G4120} a crown {G4735} of thorns {G174}, and put it about {G4060} his {G846} head,

Complete Jewish Bible

They dressed him in purple and wove thorn branches into a crown, which they put on him.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

And they clothe him with purple, and platting a crown of thorns, they put it on him;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 15:17 vividly portrays the Roman soldiers' cruel mockery of Jesus, dressing him in a purple robe and pressing a crown of thorns onto his head. This act of humiliation, performed in the praetorium, was a deliberate parody of royal investiture, intended to ridicule Jesus' claim to kingship just moments before his crucifixion, underscoring the profound indignity and suffering he endured.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the immediate aftermath of Pilate's decision to crucify Jesus, as recorded in [Mark 15:15](/mark/15-15 "Mark 15:15 - Pilate Delivers Jesus"). The soldiers, having received Jesus, gather the entire cohort (a unit of several hundred men) into the "Praetorium" [Mark 15:16](/mark/15-16 "Mark 15:16 - The Soldiers Gather"), the governor's official residence or headquarters. The actions described in [Mark 15:17-19](/mark/15-17-19 "Mark 15:17-19 - The Mockery of Jesus") represent a deliberate and orchestrated act of public humiliation before Jesus is led out to be crucified. This scene serves as a stark contrast to Jesus' true, albeit unrecognized, spiritual authority and sets the stage for the ultimate sacrifice on the cross.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Roman soldiers were known for their brutality and their practice of mocking those they deemed rebellious or foolish, especially individuals who claimed kingship in opposition to Roman authority. Purple dye, derived from murex snails, was extremely expensive and thus reserved for emperors, senators, and high-ranking officials, symbolizing royalty, power, and wealth. Dressing Jesus in purple was a direct, contemptuous parody of a royal robe. Crowns, in the Roman world, were typically laurel wreaths signifying victory or honor. The "crown of thorns" was a sadistic twist, transforming a symbol of triumph into an instrument of pain and degradation, directly challenging Jesus' messianic claims in a culturally resonant, yet cruelly ironic, manner.
* **Key Themes:** The actions in this verse powerfully contribute to several overarching themes within Mark's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. First, it highlights the theme of **Mockery and Humiliation**, demonstrating the depths of contempt Jesus faced from human authorities, fulfilling prophecies of the suffering Messiah such as in [Isaiah 50:6](/isaiah/50-6 "Isaiah 50:6 - The Suffering Servant") where the servant offers his back to those who strike him. Second, it underscores the **Ironic Kingship** of Jesus; though mocked as a king, his true spiritual sovereignty is paradoxically revealed through his suffering and humility. This divine irony is a recurring motif in the passion narrative. Finally, the verse profoundly emphasizes the **Suffering of Christ**, both physical and emotional, as an integral part of God's redemptive plan, echoing the prophetic words of [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Wounds for Our Transgressions") which speaks of being wounded for our transgressions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **clothed (Greek, _endýō'_):** This verb means "to invest with clothing," either literally or figuratively. Here, it describes the act of the soldiers putting the purple garment on Jesus. The choice of this word emphasizes the deliberate and intentional nature of their actions, not merely a casual covering, but an act of "investing" him with a mock royal identity.
* **purple (Greek, _porphýra'_):** Referring to the "purple" mussel from which a red-blue dye was extracted, this word also denotes the color itself and, by extension, a garment dyed with it. In the ancient world, purple was the color of royalty and extreme wealth. Its application to Jesus was a direct and potent symbol of mockery, contrasting his humble appearance with the attire of a king.
* **platted (Greek, _plékō'_):** This primary word means "to twine or braid." It describes the specific action taken by the soldiers to form the crown from thorns. This detail highlights the deliberate craftsmanship of their cruelty, not just a haphazard collection of thorns, but a carefully constructed instrument of pain and derision.
* **crown (Greek, _stéphanos'_):** A "chaplet," "wreath," or "crown," often used as a badge of royalty, a prize in public games, or a symbol of honor. The term implies something more elaborate than a simple fillet. In this context, it signifies a parody of a king's crown, transforming a symbol of honor into an instrument of torture and humiliation.
* **thorns (Greek, _akánthinos'_):** Derived from the word for "thorn," this adjective means "thorny" or "made of thorns." The material itself underscores the painful and degrading nature of the "crown," contrasting sharply with the laurel wreaths of victory or precious metal crowns of royalty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they clothed him with purple,"**: This initial clause describes the first act of mockery. The Roman soldiers, having gathered Jesus, intentionally dressed him in a purple garment. This was not a random act but a calculated insult, using a color associated with imperial power and royalty to ridicule Jesus' claim to be "King of the Jews," turning a symbol of honor into one of profound degradation.
* **"and platted a crown of thorns,"**: Following the dressing, the soldiers meticulously crafted a "crown" from thorny branches. The verb "platted" (braided or twined) indicates a deliberate and perhaps even artistic effort in their cruelty, ensuring the crown would be both recognizable as a parody of royalty and inflict maximum pain. This act directly addressed and mocked Jesus' head, the seat of his supposed "kingship."
* **"and put it about his head,"**: The final action in the verse describes the placement of the thorny crown. This was not a gentle act but likely involved pressing the sharp thorns into Jesus' scalp, causing immediate pain and bleeding. This physical torment, combined with the visual mockery, completed their grotesque parody of a royal investiture, symbolizing his suffering and the world's rejection of his true authority.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 15:17 is rich with **Irony**, a central literary device throughout the passion narrative. The soldiers' actions are intended as a cruel joke, dressing Jesus as a mock king, yet their very mockery inadvertently highlights his true, albeit unrecognized, kingship. The **Symbolism** of the purple robe (royalty) and the crown of thorns (suffering, humiliation, and the curse of sin from [Genesis 3:18](/genesis/3-18 "Genesis 3:18 - Thorns and Thistles")) creates a powerful **Antithesis**. The external display of mock royalty stands in stark contrast to Jesus' internal humility, purity, and ultimate divine authority. This scene also employs **Foreshadowing**, as the "crown" of thorns and "royal" robe anticipate his ultimate triumph over sin and death, where he will indeed be crowned with glory and honor.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The mockery of Jesus in Mark 15:17 is a profound theological statement about the nature of God's redemptive plan and the paradoxical path to glory. In this moment, Jesus fully embraces humiliation, embodying the suffering servant prophesied in the Old Testament. His willingness to endure such indignity reveals the depth of divine love and the extent of his identification with humanity's fallen state. This scene powerfully illustrates the truth that true power and kingship, in God's economy, are found not in worldly pomp and might, but in self-sacrificial love and humble obedience, even unto death. The purple robe and thorny crown, intended as symbols of derision, become, in retrospect, powerful emblems of his unique reign—a reign established through suffering rather than conquest.

* [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected")
* [Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7-8 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ's Humiliation")
* [Matthew 27:28-29](/matthew/27-28-29 "Matthew 27:28-29 - Mockery of Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 15:17 compels us to gaze upon the profound humility and immense suffering of our Savior. Jesus, the King of the universe, willingly submitted to the most demeaning and painful mockery imaginable, not because he was weak, but because of his unwavering love and commitment to fulfilling God's redemptive plan. This scene challenges our worldly notions of power, status, and dignity, inviting us to consider what it truly means to follow a King who wore a crown of thorns. It calls us to embrace humility, to endure hardship for the sake of the Gospel, and to find our true identity and worth not in human accolades but in our union with Christ, who bore our shame. His suffering here assures us that he understands our pain, our humiliation, and our deepest struggles, offering a powerful example of enduring love and steadfast faith in the face of injustice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' willingness to endure such profound humiliation challenge my own pursuit of honor or avoidance of shame?**
* **What does the "mock" kingship of Jesus reveal about the true nature of spiritual authority and power in God's kingdom?**
* **In what ways might I be called to "wear a crown of thorns" (i.e., endure hardship or ridicule) for the sake of Christ and the Gospel in my own life?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Roman soldiers mock Jesus as a king?**

Answer: The Roman soldiers mocked Jesus as a king primarily because his accusers, particularly the Jewish leaders, had presented him to Pilate as a claimant to kingship, which was perceived as a challenge to Caesar's authority (e.g., [John 19:12](/john/19-12 "John 19:12 - If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend")). Pilate himself questioned Jesus directly about being "King of the Jews" ([Mark 15:2](/mark/15-2 "Mark 15:2 - Pilate Questions Jesus")). For the Roman soldiers, mocking a supposed "king" who was about to be executed was a common practice to assert Roman dominance, humiliate the condemned, and entertain themselves. It was a brutal parody of a royal investiture, designed to strip Jesus of any perceived dignity or authority.

**What was the significance of the purple robe in this mockery?**

Answer: The purple robe was highly significant because purple dye was extremely rare and expensive in the Roman world, making purple garments symbols of royalty, wealth, and high status. Emperors, senators, and other elite figures wore purple. By dressing Jesus in purple, the soldiers were directly mocking his claim to kingship. It was a deliberate act of contempt, taking a color associated with ultimate power and using it to highlight Jesus' apparent powerlessness and humiliation. This act underscored the stark contrast between worldly power and the paradoxical nature of Jesus' true, spiritual kingship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 15:17, depicting the cruel mockery of Jesus as a king, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in the defeat it seemingly portrays, but in the ultimate triumph and true kingship of Christ. The purple robe and crown of thorns, intended as symbols of derision, become the very emblems of his unique reign—a reign established through suffering and self-sacrifice rather than worldly conquest. This scene foreshadows the ultimate reality that Jesus is indeed the King, but his kingdom is "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom Is Not of This World")). The humiliation he endured on the cross, starting with this mockery, was the path to his exaltation. The New Testament consistently points to Jesus as the true and eternal King, who, having suffered, was "crowned with glory and honor" ([Hebrews 2:9](/hebrews/2-9 "Hebrews 2:9 - Crowned with Glory and Honor")) through his resurrection and ascension. The very "crown" of thorns he wore foreshadows the many crowns he will ultimately receive as the "King of kings and Lord of lords" ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")), reigning eternally at the right hand of God. Thus, the mockery of Mark 15:17 is transformed into a powerful testament to the paradoxical wisdom of God, where weakness becomes strength and suffering leads to ultimate glory.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 27:28

And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

Matthew 27:30

And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

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.

John 19:2

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

John 19:5

Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And [Pilate] saith unto them, Behold the man!