And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing [their] knees worshipped him.
And {G2532} they smote {G5180} him {G846} on the head {G2776} with a reed {G2563}, and {G2532} did spit {G1716} upon him {G846}, and {G2532} bowing {G5087} their knees {G1119} worshipped {G4352} him {G846}.
They hit him on the head with a stick, spat on him and kneeled in mock worship of him.
They kept striking His head with a staff and spitting on Him. And they knelt down and bowed before Him.
And they smote his head with a reed, and spat upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.
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Mark 14:65
And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands. -
Job 30:8
[They were] children of fools, yea, children of base men: they were viler than the earth. -
Job 30:12
Upon [my] right [hand] rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction. -
Isaiah 52:14
As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: -
Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. -
Hebrews 12:3
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. -
Micah 5:1
¶ Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.
Mark 15:19 vividly describes the intense physical abuse and profound mockery Jesus endured at the hands of the Roman soldiers just before His crucifixion. This verse is part of the larger narrative detailing Christ's suffering, highlighting the depths of humiliation He experienced for humanity.
Historical and Cultural Context
Following His condemnation by Pilate, Jesus was handed over to the Roman soldiers in the Praetorium, the governor's headquarters (Mark 15:16). Their actions were a cruel form of sport and an attempt to degrade anyone claiming kingship, particularly one they saw as a Jewish rebel. The "reed" served as a mock scepter, replacing the royal staff, symbolizing their contempt for His claim as the King of the Jews. Spitting upon someone was an act of extreme contempt and defilement in ancient cultures, a profound public insult. The bowing of knees, though appearing as worship, was a bitter parody, designed to amplify His humiliation.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "smote" (ἔτυπτον - etypton) is in the imperfect tense, suggesting a repeated or continuous action, indicating that the soldiers were repeatedly striking Jesus' head with the reed. The word translated "worshipped" (προσεκύνουν - prosekynoun) is the standard term for genuine adoration and homage. Its use here highlights the deep irony and cruel sarcasm of the soldiers, performing an act of reverence while intending only scorn and derision.
Practical Application
Mark 15:19 calls believers to reflect on the depth of Christ's love and humility. He endured ultimate degradation not because He deserved it, but out of obedience to God and love for humanity. For us, this verse teaches: