Matthew 27:28

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they stripped {G1562} him {G846}, and put on {G4060} him {G846} a scarlet {G2847} robe {G5511}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They stripped off his clothes and put on him a scarlet robe,

Berean Standard Bible

They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 27:28 vividly portrays a moment of profound humiliation and suffering for Jesus, as Roman soldiers strip Him of His own clothes and mockingly dress Him in a scarlet robe. This act of degradation, preceding His crucifixion, underscores the depths of His voluntary suffering and the contempt with which He was treated by His captors, serving as a cruel parody of His true kingship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the Passion narrative, immediately following Pilate's decision to release Barabbas and hand Jesus over to be crucified ([Matthew 27:26](/matthew/27-26 "Matthew 27:26 - Pilate Delivers Jesus")). The soldiers, having taken Jesus into the Praetorium, or common hall ([Matthew 27:27](/matthew/27-27 "Matthew 27:27 - Jesus Taken to the Praetorium")), gather a whole cohort around Him. The act of stripping and reclothing Jesus is the first step in a series of escalating abuses, including a crown of thorns, a reed scepter, and spitting, all designed to ridicule His claim to kingship before His eventual crucifixion ([Matthew 27:29-31](/matthew/27-29-31 "Matthew 27:29-31 - The Mockery of Jesus")). This scene serves as a stark contrast to the divine authority Jesus consistently demonstrated throughout His ministry, highlighting the profound reversal of roles as the Son of God is subjected to human scorn.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Praetorium was the Roman governor's official residence, often including a courtyard or barracks where soldiers were stationed. Roman soldiers were known for their brutality and often engaged in cruel sport with prisoners, especially those accused of sedition or crimes against the emperor. The public stripping and redressing of a prisoner was a common form of humiliation, designed to dehumanize the individual and assert the absolute power of the captors. The choice of a "scarlet robe" was particularly significant; while purple was the color of emperors and high-ranking officials, scarlet was also associated with royalty, military commanders, and wealth. By dressing Jesus in such a garment, the soldiers were not merely mocking a king, but specifically ridiculing the "King of the Jews," a title they likely viewed with disdain and as a challenge to Roman authority. This act was a theatrical performance intended to degrade Jesus before a crowd of soldiers, emphasizing His perceived powerlessness.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 27:28 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Mockery and Humiliation**, showing the extent to which Jesus was subjected to scorn and physical abuse. This deliberate degradation was a calculated insult, designed to ridicule His identity as the Messiah and "King of the Jews" ([Matthew 27:11](/matthew/27-11 "Matthew 27:11 - Jesus Before Pilate")). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Mock Kingship**, where the symbols of royalty (robe, crown, scepter) are twisted into instruments of derision, emphasizing the soldiers' disbelief in Jesus' spiritual authority and heavenly kingdom, which stood in stark contrast to their understanding of earthly power ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World")). Finally, this scene, while not a direct fulfillment of a single prophecy, aligns with the broader Old Testament theme of the **Suffering Servant** ([Isaiah 53:3-7](/isaiah/53-3-7 "Isaiah 53:3-7 - The Suffering Servant")), who would be despised, rejected by men, and bear the iniquities of others, willingly enduring shame and suffering for a greater purpose.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **stripped (Greek, _ekdýō'_):** From *ek* (out of) and the base of *dýnō* (to sink); to cause to sink out of, specifically as of clothing, to divest. This word emphasizes the forceful removal of Jesus' own garments, leaving Him exposed and vulnerable. It signifies a complete disrobing, a public act of degradation that left Him without personal possessions or dignity, a common practice for those about to be executed.
* **scarlet (Greek, _kókkinos'_):** From *kókkos* (from the kernel-shape of the insect); crimson-colored. This refers to a brilliant red or crimson dye, often derived from the kermes insect. The color scarlet was historically associated with wealth, power, and royalty, making its use here a direct and cutting parody of Jesus' claims to kingship.
* **robe (Greek, _chlamýs'_):** Of uncertain derivation; a military cloak. This was typically a short, flowing cloak worn by soldiers, officers, or sometimes by magistrates. It was not a royal robe in the traditional sense, but a common military garment, which further underscores the soldiers' intent to mock Jesus as a "king" in their own crude, military fashion. The choice of this specific type of cloak, rather than a true royal garment, highlights the contempt and ridicule inherent in their actions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they stripped him":** This phrase describes the initial act of physical humiliation. The Roman soldiers forcefully removed Jesus' own clothes, leaving Him exposed. This act was not merely practical (to prepare Him for a different garment or crucifixion) but deeply symbolic, representing the stripping away of His dignity, privacy, and personal identity. It was a common practice to strip prisoners before torture or execution, rendering them utterly vulnerable and dehumanized.
* **"and put on him a scarlet robe":** Following the stripping, the soldiers immediately clothed Jesus in a "scarlet robe." This action was a deliberate, theatrical gesture of mockery. The scarlet color, associated with royalty and power, combined with the nature of the *chlamys* (a military cloak), transformed a symbol of authority into an instrument of scorn. This act was designed to ridicule Jesus' claims to kingship, turning a sacred truth into a cruel joke in the eyes of His tormentors. It was a visual parody, setting the stage for further abuse and highlighting the soldiers' contempt for His divine claims.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 27:28 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Symbolism** is prominent, with the "scarlet robe" serving as a central symbol. While scarlet was a color of royalty and authority, here it is used ironically to symbolize mock kingship and profound humiliation. The robe itself, a *chlamys* or military cloak, further emphasizes this mockery, as it is a soldier's garment rather than a king's regalia, highlighting the soldiers' crude and contemptuous parody. **Irony** pervades the scene: Jesus, the true King of Kings and Lord of Lords, is treated as a powerless pretender. The very act designed to strip Him of dignity paradoxically underscores His true, spiritual kingship, which is not of this world and does not rely on earthly pomp. The soldiers believe they are debasing Him, but in reality, they are unwittingly fulfilling prophecy and demonstrating the depth of His sacrificial love. This scene also contains elements of **Foreshadowing**, as this public humiliation anticipates the ultimate triumph of Christ. His suffering and apparent defeat on the cross will ultimately lead to His exaltation and vindication as the true King, whose reign is eternal and spiritual, not earthly and temporary.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 27:28 is a profound theological statement on the nature of Christ's suffering and kingship. It reveals the extent of human depravity and the depth of God's love, as the Son of God willingly endures ultimate humiliation for the salvation of humanity. This scene underscores that Jesus' kingdom is not of this world, nor does His power manifest in earthly might or outward splendor. Instead, His true kingship is revealed through humility, self-sacrifice, and obedience to the Father's will, even unto death. The mockery endured by Jesus highlights the radical inversion of values in God's kingdom, where true strength is found in weakness, and true glory in suffering.

* [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - The Suffering Servant's Atonement")
* [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humiliation and Obedience")
* [1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example in Suffering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 27:28 invites believers to gaze deeply into the heart of Christ's sacrifice. His willingness to endure such profound indignity, to be stripped bare and mocked as a pretender, was not a sign of weakness but of immense strength and unwavering love. He did not cling to His divine prerogatives but emptied Himself for our sake, demonstrating that true power is found in humble obedience and self-giving. For us, this means understanding that following Christ may involve enduring misunderstanding, ridicule, or even rejection from a world that does not recognize His kingdom's true nature. It challenges us to embrace humility, to find our identity not in worldly accolades or power, but in Christ's suffering and resurrection. When we face trials or humiliation, we can find solace and strength in knowing that our Savior has walked this path before us, perfectly modeling how to endure with grace and unwavering faith, trusting in God's ultimate vindication.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' willingness to endure humiliation challenge my own desire for recognition or avoidance of shame?**
* **In what ways might I be called to embrace humility or suffer for the sake of Christ's kingdom in my daily life?**
* **How does meditating on this scene deepen my appreciation for the extent of God's love and Jesus' sacrifice?**

### FAQ
**Why did the soldiers put a scarlet robe on Jesus, and not a purple one, as other Gospels mention?**

Answer: Matthew's description of a "scarlet robe" ([Matthew 27:28](/matthew/27-28 "Matthew 27:28 - Jesus Mocked with a Scarlet Robe")) and Mark's and John's accounts of a "purple robe" ([Mark 15:17](/mark/15-17 "Mark 15:17 - Jesus Clothed in Purple") and [John 19:2](/john/19-2 "John 19:2 - Jesus in a Purple Robe")) are not contradictions but rather complementary descriptions. In the ancient world, "purple" could encompass a range of deep red to violet hues, and "scarlet" was a brilliant red. Both colors were associated with royalty, wealth, and high status, as the dyes were extremely expensive and difficult to produce. The specific shade was less important than the symbolic intent: the soldiers chose a garment that *looked* royal or aristocratic to mock Jesus' claims to kingship. It's possible the robe was a faded military cloak, or that the terms were used somewhat interchangeably for a color that conveyed mock dignity. The core message remains the same: it was a deliberate, cruel parody of royal attire.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:28, though a scene of profound humiliation, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the paradoxical nature of Jesus' kingship and His redemptive mission. The stripping and reclothing in a mock royal robe vividly prefigures the "suffering servant" prophesied in Isaiah, who would be "despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")). This act of debasement, intended to strip Jesus of all dignity, is precisely what allows Him to identify fully with the humiliated and outcast of humanity, bearing their shame and sin. His kingship, unlike earthly dominions, is not established through outward displays of power but through radical humility and self-sacrifice. As Paul writes in [Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7-8 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Obedience"), Jesus "made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!" The scarlet robe, a symbol of ridicule, becomes a poignant reminder that the King of Glory chose the path of suffering to secure our salvation, ultimately leading to His exaltation "far above all rule and authority, power and dominion" ([Ephesians 1:21](/ephesians/1-21 "Ephesians 1:21 - Christ's Exaltation")). This scene, therefore, is not merely about Jesus' suffering, but about the unique way His divine sovereignty is expressed through self-emptying love, making Him the perfect High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Christ Our Sympathetic High Priest")) and the triumphant King who reigns from the cross.

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

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.

Mark 15:17

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

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!