Matthew 27:30

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

And {G2532} they spit {G1716} upon {G1519} him {G846}, and took {G2983} the reed {G2563}, and {G2532} smote {G5180} him {G846} on {G1519} the head {G2776}.

They spit on him and used the stick to beat him about the head.

Then they spit on Him and took the staff and struck Him on the head repeatedly.

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

Commentary

Matthew 27:30 describes a moment of intense physical abuse and profound humiliation inflicted upon Jesus by the Roman soldiers just before His crucifixion. Following their mockery where they dressed Him in a scarlet robe and placed a crown of thorns on His head, they continued their cruelty by spitting on Him and repeatedly striking Him on the head with the very reed they had given Him as a mock scepter.

Context

This verse is part of the narrative detailing Jesus' final hours, specifically His suffering at the hands of the Roman soldiers. After Pontius Pilate had delivered Jesus to be crucified (Matthew 27:26), the soldiers took Him into the Praetorium, the governor's headquarters. There, they gathered the whole band of soldiers and engaged in a cruel parody of a king's coronation, mocking Him as "King of the Jews" (Matthew 27:29). The acts described in verse 30 are the culmination of this brutal charade before they led Him away to be crucified.

Key Themes

  • Profound Humiliation and Suffering: The actions of spitting and striking were deeply insulting and physically painful. Spitting was a gesture of extreme contempt and degradation, while being struck on the head with a hard reed was a cruel physical assault. This highlights the depths of suffering Christ endured for humanity.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: These specific acts of abuse fulfill Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's suffering. For instance, the prophet Isaiah foretold, "I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting" (Isaiah 50:6). Similarly, Psalm 22:7 speaks of being scorned and mocked.
  • Jesus' Passive Endurance: Throughout this horrific ordeal, Jesus remained silent and did not retaliate. His willingness to endure such indignities without complaint underscores His perfect obedience to the Father's will and His mission to offer Himself as a sacrifice for sins. This demonstrates the profound humility of Christ, as described in Philippians 2:8.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Spit upon him" (ἔπτυον εἰς αὐτόν - eptuon eis auton): This Greek verb indicates a continuous action, suggesting repeated spitting. It was a gesture of utter contempt and revulsion in ancient cultures, signifying the lowest form of disrespect.
  • "Took the reed" (λαβόντες τὸν κάλαμον - labontes ton kalamon): The "reed" (κάλαμος - *kalamos*) was initially given to Him as a mock scepter, symbolizing His false kingship. The act of then using this symbol of mockery as a weapon to strike Him on the head intensified the cruelty and insult.
  • "Smote him on the head" (ἔτυπτον εἰς τὴν κεφαλὴν - etupton eis tēn kephalēn): The verb "smote" (ἔτυπτον - *etupton*) is in the imperfect tense, implying a continuous or repeated striking motion, not just a single blow. This indicates sustained abuse.

Practical Application

Matthew 27:30 serves as a stark reminder of the immense suffering and humiliation Jesus willingly underwent for humanity's redemption. For believers, this verse encourages:

  • Appreciation for Christ's Sacrifice: Understanding the depths of His suffering helps us grasp the immeasurable cost of our salvation and God's profound love (John 3:16).
  • Patience in Suffering: Jesus' example of enduring injustice and humiliation without retaliation provides a model for how Christians are called to respond when facing persecution or unfair treatment (1 Peter 2:23).
  • Humility and Selflessness: The scene underscores Christ's ultimate act of humility, emptying Himself of divine privilege to become a servant and suffer for others.
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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 50:6 (8 votes)

    I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

  • Matthew 26:67 (5 votes)

    Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote [him] with the palms of their hands,

  • Isaiah 53:7 (3 votes)

    He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

  • Mark 15:19 (3 votes)

    And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing [their] knees worshipped him.

  • Isaiah 52:14 (2 votes)

    As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

  • Micah 5:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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.

  • Isaiah 53:3 (2 votes)

    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.