Matthew 27:28

Matthew 27:28 (KJV) describes a pivotal moment in the Passion narrative, highlighting the intense suffering and humiliation endured by Jesus at the hands of the Roman soldiers.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus being delivered by Pilate to the soldiers in the Praetorium (the common hall). The soldiers, likely a cohort, gathered around Him, initiating a cruel and theatrical mockery of His claims to kingship. Stripping Him of His own garments was the first step in this public degradation, setting the stage for further abuse and the subsequent crucifixion.

Key Themes

• Mockery and Humiliation: The act of stripping Jesus and clothing Him in a "scarlet robe" was a deliberate and calculated insult. It was designed to ridicule His identity as the "King of the Jews," reducing Him to an object of scorn and contempt in the eyes of His tormentors. This scene underscores the profound depths of Christ's suffering, both physical and emotional, as He bore the indignity for humanity.
• Mock Kingship: The scarlet robe, typically a military cloak or a cloak worn by nobility, was a cynical parody of royal attire. It served as a prop in their cruel charade, emphasizing the soldiers' disbelief and disdain for Jesus' spiritual authority and heavenly kingdom, which was so contrary to their understanding of earthly power.
• Fulfillment of Scripture: While not a direct prophecy of this specific act, the overall theme of Jesus' suffering, humiliation, and rejection by men aligns with many Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah, particularly those found in the prophetic books describing the suffering servant.

Linguistic Insights

The term "scarlet robe" translates from the Greek chlamyda kokkinēn (χλαμύδα κοκκίνην). A chlamys was a short cloak, often worn by soldiers or officials. The color kokkinēn refers to a brilliant red or scarlet. While Matthew uses "scarlet," the Gospel accounts of Mark and John describe the robe as "purple" (Mark 15:17, John 19:2). Both scarlet and purple were colors associated with royalty, wealth, and high status in the ancient world. The slight variation in color descriptions (scarlet vs. purple) does not indicate a contradiction, but rather highlights the common understanding that it was a mock royal garment, chosen for its symbolic significance in ridiculing Jesus' claims to kingship.

Practical Application

This verse calls believers to reflect deeply on the extent of Jesus' sacrifice. He willingly endured such profound indignity and suffering, not because He was powerless, but out of His immense love and obedience to God's will for the salvation of humanity. His acceptance of this mockery speaks to the true nature of His kingdom, which is not of this world (John 18:36). It reminds us that true strength and kingship are found in humility, sacrifice, and divine love, not in earthly power or recognition. As followers, we are called to embrace humility and understand that our identity in Christ may also lead to misunderstanding or rejection from the world, mirroring the path of our Savior.