They stripped Him
This act of stripping Jesus was a form of humiliation and degradation, common in Roman crucifixion practices. It symbolized the removal of dignity and was intended to shame the victim publicly. In biblical context, this act can be seen as a fulfillment of the suffering servant prophecy in Isaiah 53:3, where the Messiah is described as "despised and rejected by men." The stripping also prefigures the spiritual stripping of sin that Jesus would accomplish through His sacrifice.

and put a scarlet robe on Him
The scarlet robe was likely a military cloak, used here to mock Jesus' claim to kingship. Scarlet, a color associated with royalty and power, was used ironically to ridicule His title as "King of the Jews." This act of mockery fulfills the prophecy in Isaiah 50:6, where the servant of the Lord is subjected to insults and spitting. The robe also connects to the imagery of sin in Isaiah 1:18, where sins are described as scarlet, highlighting the burden of sin Jesus bore. The mock coronation with the robe, along with the crown of thorns and reed scepter, underscores the theme of Jesus as the suffering King, a type of Christ who reigns through sacrifice and humility.

1. Jesus Christ
The central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, who is being mocked and prepared for crucifixion in this passage.

2. Roman Soldiers
The individuals who are mocking Jesus, stripping Him of His clothes, and dressing Him in a scarlet robe as part of their mockery.

3. Jerusalem
The city where these events are taking place, specifically at the Praetorium, the governor's headquarters.

4. Scarlet Robe
A garment placed on Jesus to mock His claim to kingship, symbolizing royalty but used here in derision.

5. Crucifixion
The method of execution that Jesus is being prepared for, a central event in Christian theology representing the atonement for sin.Humility in Suffering
Jesus' willingness to endure mockery and humiliation teaches us about the depth of His humility and love. As believers, we are called to emulate His humility in our own lives, even when faced with unjust treatment.

The Irony of Kingship
The scarlet robe, meant to mock, ironically points to Jesus' true kingship. This reminds us that God's ways often defy human expectations and that true authority comes from God, not worldly power.

Endurance Through Trials
Jesus' endurance through suffering serves as an example for us to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting that God is with us in our trials and will ultimately bring about His purposes.

The Cost of Redemption
The events leading to the crucifixion highlight the immense cost of our redemption. Reflecting on this can deepen our gratitude and commitment to live in a way that honors Christ's sacrifice.(28) A scarlet robe.--Here again we have a technical word, the chlamys or paludamentum, used for the military cloak worn by emperors in their character as generals, and by other officers of high rank (Pliny, xxii. 2, 3). St. Mark and St. John call it purple (Mark 15:17; John 19:2); but the "purple "of the ancients was "crimson," and the same colour might easily be called by either name. It was probably some cast-off cloak of Pilate's own, or, possibly, that in which Herod had before arrayed Him (Luke 23:11). Philo records a like mockery as practised upon an idiot at Alexandria, who was there made to represent Herod Agrippa II. (in Flacc. p. 980). It was but too common a practice to subject condemned prisoners before execution to this kind of outrage. Here the point of the mockery lay, of course, in the fact that their Victim had been condemned as claiming the title of a King. They had probably seen or heard of the insults of like kind offered by Herod and his soldiers (Luke 23:21), and now reproduced them with aggravated cruelty.

Verse 28. - They stripped him (ἐκδύσαντες). Some manuscripts read ἐνδύσαντες, "when they had clothed him;" but this seems to have been derived from St. Mark, and to be here somewhat tautological. They had heard of his claim to be a King, so they determined to deride him with the mockery of royal honours. They tore his garments from his mangled form, thus opening afresh his half-dried wounds. Put on him a scarlet robe (χλαμύδα κοκκίνην). This was probably the short military woollen cloak worn by officers, in colour either scarlet or purple, and fastened by a buckle on the right shoulder. Some think it was a cast-off garment from the wardrobe of King Herod, which they found and appropriated to this purpose. Whatever it was, its bright hue was suitable for this mockery of regal splendour.

Parallel Commentaries ...


They stripped
ἐκδύσαντες (ekdysantes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1562: From ek and the base of duno; to cause to sink out of, i.e. to divest.

Him
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

[and] put
περιέθηκαν (periethēkan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4060: To place or put around, clothe; fig: I bestow, confer. From peri and tithemi; to place around; by implication, to present.

a scarlet
κοκκίνην (kokkinēn)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2847: Crimson, scarlet, dyed with Kermes (coccum), the female coccus of the Kermes oak. From kokkos; crimson-colored.

robe
χλαμύδα (chlamyda)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5511: A short cloak, worn by military officers and soldiers. Of uncertain derivation; a military cloak.

on Him.
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 27:28 They stripped him and put a scarlet (Matt. Mat Mt)