The Soldiers Mock Jesus
The mockery of Jesus by Roman soldiers during his passion is one of the most sobering and significant episodes in the Gospel narratives. This event, recorded in detail by all four Gospel writers, is not merely a historical footnote but a theologically rich moment that reveals the depth of human sin, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the humility of Jesus in his redemptive mission. The soldiers’ actions–mocking, abusing, and humiliating Jesus–stand in stark contrast to his silent endurance and the divine purpose unfolding through his suffering. This article will examine the biblical accounts of the soldiers’ mockery, explore the motivations and symbolism behind their actions, and reflect on the theological implications for understanding the cross and the character of Jesus.
The Gospel Accounts of the Soldiers’ Mockery
The mockery of Jesus is described in all four Gospels, with the most detailed accounts found in Matthew 27:27-31, Mark 15:16-20, Luke 22:63-65; 23:11, and John 19:1-3. Each account contributes unique details, but together they present a unified picture of just how terrible the humiliation and cruelty Jesus faced.
Matthew 27:27-31 records: “Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.”
Mark 15:16-20 closely parallels Matthew’s account, while Luke and John add further nuances. Luke 22:63-65 describes how Jesus was mocked and beaten by the men who held him in custody, blindfolded, and taunted to prophesy who struck him. John 19:1-3 emphasizes the soldiers’ repeated blows and their sarcastic acclamation, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
What Did the Soldiers Do to Mock Jesus?
The soldiers’ mockery of Jesus was a deliberate and multifaceted act of humiliation. After Pilate had Jesus scourged–a brutal flogging that itself was absolute torture–the soldiers took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters (the Praetorium) and assembled the whole cohort, likely a group of several dozen men. Their actions included:
Stripping Jesus of his clothes, a gesture of public shame and vulnerability.
Dressing him in a scarlet or purple robe, mimicking royal attire. The color was associated with royalty and power, but here it was used to ridicule Jesus’ claim to kingship.
Twisting together a crown of thorns and placing it on his head. This not only mocked the idea of a royal crown but also inflicted physical pain and symbolized the curse of sin (cf. Genesis 3:18).
Placing a reed in his right hand as a mock scepter, further parodying the symbols of kingship.
Kneeling before him and sarcastically hailing him as “King of the Jews,” a title that had been used in the charges against him.
Spitting on him, a universal sign of contempt and degradation.
Taking the reed and striking him on the head, driving the thorns deeper and adding to his suffering.
Blindfolding him and striking him, then demanding that he prophesy who had hit him (Luke 22:64).
These actions were not random acts of violence but a carefully orchestrated parody of a royal coronation. The soldiers took the charges brought against Jesus–his claim to be the Messiah, the King of the Jews–and turned them into the basis for cruel mockery.
Why Did the Soldiers Spit on Jesus?
Spitting was, in the ancient world as today, a gesture of utter contempt and rejection. In Jewish culture, to spit on someone was to treat them as utterly unclean and despised (see, Numbers 12:14; Deuteronomy 25:9). For the Roman soldiers, spitting on Jesus was a way to express their scorn for a condemned and powerless prisoner, especially one accused of claiming kingship in opposition to Caesar.
Theologically, the act of spitting on Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecy. Isaiah 50:6, a passage describing the suffering servant, declares: “I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.” By enduring this humiliation, Jesus identifies with the suffering servant and fulfills the Scriptures.
Spitting also serves to heighten the contrast between Jesus’ true identity and the way he was treated. The one who is the eternal Word, the creator and sustainer of all things (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17), is subjected to the ultimate indignity by those he came to save.
What Did the Roman Soldiers Yell at Jesus?
The soldiers’ verbal mockery centered on the title “King of the Jews.” They knelt before Jesus and cried out, “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Matthew 27:29; Mark 15:18; John 19:3). This was a parody of the acclamation given to Caesar, “Ave, Caesar!” By addressing Jesus in this way, the soldiers ridiculed both his supposed claim to kingship and the Jewish hopes for a Messiah.
Luke 23:36-37 adds that the soldiers also mocked Jesus at the cross, offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” This taunt echoed the words of the religious leaders and the crowd, who challenged Jesus to prove his identity by coming down from the cross (Matthew 27:40-43). But this was not part of the ultimate plan to save humanity. Jesus knew of this.
The soldiers’ mockery was both physical and verbal, combining actions and words to heap scorn on Jesus’ messianic claims.
How Did the Governor’s Soldiers Mock and Abuse Jesus?
The soldiers under the authority of the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, engaged in systematic abuse of Jesus. Their mockery was not merely spontaneous cruelty, but a ritualized humiliation designed to reinforce Roman power and the futility of resistance. By mocking Jesus as a “king,” the soldiers reinforced the message that Rome alone held authority and that any challenge to its rule would be crushed. The abuse included:
Physical violence: Jesus was flogged, struck, and crowned with thorns, causing intense pain and injury.
Public humiliation: Jesus was paraded before the soldiers and later before the crowds, dressed in mock royal attire.
Psychological torment: The soldiers taunted Jesus, blindfolded him, and demanded that he prophesy, turning his identity as a prophet and king into a source of ridicule.
Religious mockery: By parodying the symbols of Jewish kingship and messianic hope, the soldiers not only mocked Jesus but also the faith and aspirations of the Jewish people.
This abuse was part of the broader pattern of Roman crucifixion, which was designed to be a public spectacle of shame and deterrence. Victims were stripped, beaten, and displayed as warnings to others. In Jesus’ case, the mockery was intensified by the religious and political charges against him.
Theological Reflections on the Soldiers’ Mockery
The soldiers’ mockery reveals the depth of human sin and the rejection of God’s anointed. The soldiers, representing the power and authority of the world, reject and ridicule the true King. Their actions fulfill the words of Psalm 2:1-2: “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed.”
The mockery fulfills Old Testament prophecy about the suffering Messiah. Isaiah 53:3 describes the servant as “despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” The humiliation Jesus endured was not accidental but part of God’s redemptive plan.
The mockery also highlights the humility and obedience of Jesus. Though he could have called upon legions of angels (Matthew 26:53), Jesus endured the shame and suffering for the sake of humanity’s salvation. Our salvation. Your salvation. As Paul writes in Philippians 2:8, “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
The soldiers’ actions serve as a warning against the blindness and hardness of heart that can lead to the rejection of God’s truth. The very ones who mocked Jesus were unwitting participants in the fulfillment of God’s purposes.
Finally, the mockery of Jesus is transformed by the resurrection. The one who was mocked as “King of the Jews” is revealed to be the risen Lord, exalted above all powers and authorities (Philippians 2:9-11). The cross, once a symbol of shame, becomes the means of victory and salvation.
Conclusion - The Soldiers Mock Jesus
The soldiers’ mockery of Jesus is a powerful and sobering episode in the passion narrative. Through their actions–stripping, beating, crowning with thorns, spitting, and taunting–the soldiers sought to humiliate and degrade Jesus. Yet, Jesus endured the utmost horrific abuse to fulfill prophecy, reveal the depth of human sin, and to demonstrate the humility and love that define his mission. The mockery of the soldiers, intended as a final insult, becomes in the light of the resurrection a testimony to the glory of the crucified and risen King. For us, this calls for humility, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to follow the one who endured such hostility for the sake of the world.