John 19:1-8
So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!”- John 19:5
Pilate wanted to release Jesus, but he gave in to the cries of the Jews: “Not this man, but Barabbas!” So Pilate released the robber Barabbas and ordered Jesus to be flogged (v.1).
The Romans used a whip made of leather straps embedded with pieces of bone or metal to flog criminals, causing deep wounds and torn flesh. Pilate tried to appease the Jews’ anger by having Jesus flogged, but it only increased the suffering and humiliation Jesus endured. “And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands.” (vv.2–3)
The “purple robe” was actually the Roman soldiers’ scarlet cloak, which had faded to a purple-like color resembling royal garments. These soldiers, abusing their power, mocked Jesus by dressing Him up as the “King of the Jews,” slapping His face and subjecting Him to the utmost humiliation. Again and again, they ridiculed and scorned Him. The Lord of the universe, out of His love for humanity, silently endured this humiliation, step by step, fulfilling the great work of redemption.
Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” (v.4) Facing the crowd that was determined to crucify Jesus, Pilate declared for the second time that he found no fault in Him. When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate’s exclamation, “Behold the man!” (v.5) seemed to express both pity and contempt. Perhaps he hoped that the people, upon seeing Jesus bloodied and beaten, would feel compassion and agree to release Him.
But, possibly to Pilate’s surprise, the chief priests and temple guards, seeing the battered and humiliated Jesus, cried out in unison, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate told them to take Jesus and crucify Him themselves, once again declaring for the third time, “I find no guilt in him” (v.6). Jesus was pronounced innocent by the Roman Empire’s representative of law and justice, yet condemned to death by the Jewish religious leaders! (v.7) They believed that by rejecting Jesus they were upholding the sanctity of the law. Yet in truth, Jesus was about to fulfill the law’s requirements through His death, so that humanity might be freed from the bondage of sin and walk boldly in the light of God!
Reflection:
Seeing the price Jesus paid for our sins, can we still ignore the sin in our own lives?
Prayer:
Dear Abba Father, thank You for not allowing the lost world to continue in its own way. Thank You for preparing salvation for us in Christ Jesus. Thank You, Jesus, for enduring all the mockery and humiliation in silence, paying the price for our sins so we may no longer be bound by sin. Help us, Lord, to never take sin lightly but to wholeheartedly pursue holiness and live a life pleasing to God. In the victorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Pilate wanted to release Jesus, but he gave in to the cries of the Jews: “Not this man, but Barabbas!” So Pilate released the robber Barabbas and ordered Jesus to be flogged (v.1).
The Romans used a whip made of leather straps embedded with pieces of bone or metal to flog criminals, causing deep wounds and torn flesh. Pilate tried to appease the Jews’ anger by having Jesus flogged, but it only increased the suffering and humiliation Jesus endured. “And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands.” (vv.2–3)
The “purple robe” was actually the Roman soldiers’ scarlet cloak, which had faded to a purple-like color resembling royal garments. These soldiers, abusing their power, mocked Jesus by dressing Him up as the “King of the Jews,” slapping His face and subjecting Him to the utmost humiliation. Again and again, they ridiculed and scorned Him. The Lord of the universe, out of His love for humanity, silently endured this humiliation, step by step, fulfilling the great work of redemption.
Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” (v.4) Facing the crowd that was determined to crucify Jesus, Pilate declared for the second time that he found no fault in Him. When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate’s exclamation, “Behold the man!” (v.5) seemed to express both pity and contempt. Perhaps he hoped that the people, upon seeing Jesus bloodied and beaten, would feel compassion and agree to release Him.
But, possibly to Pilate’s surprise, the chief priests and temple guards, seeing the battered and humiliated Jesus, cried out in unison, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate told them to take Jesus and crucify Him themselves, once again declaring for the third time, “I find no guilt in him” (v.6). Jesus was pronounced innocent by the Roman Empire’s representative of law and justice, yet condemned to death by the Jewish religious leaders! (v.7) They believed that by rejecting Jesus they were upholding the sanctity of the law. Yet in truth, Jesus was about to fulfill the law’s requirements through His death, so that humanity might be freed from the bondage of sin and walk boldly in the light of God!
Reflection:
Seeing the price Jesus paid for our sins, can we still ignore the sin in our own lives?
Prayer:
Dear Abba Father, thank You for not allowing the lost world to continue in its own way. Thank You for preparing salvation for us in Christ Jesus. Thank You, Jesus, for enduring all the mockery and humiliation in silence, paying the price for our sins so we may no longer be bound by sin. Help us, Lord, to never take sin lightly but to wholeheartedly pursue holiness and live a life pleasing to God. In the victorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.