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Commentaries
English
Matthew
  
23. The Roman Soldiers Mock Jesus
(Matthew 27:27-30)
27Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. 28And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.29When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”30Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. (Isaiah50:6)


Have you ever seen a priceless crown in a picture or in a museum? It looks beautiful, made of gold and inlaid with precious jewels that represent the glory, power, and richness of the head that bears it. Yet, our Lord and faithful Savior wore a crown of thorns, which stuck deep into His head so that His blood flowed. His crown is, by far, the best of all crowns on heaven and on earth.
Jesus was poor and despised. The scarlet robe was dyed with His blood. The Roman soldiers mocked Him with a rod of cane, which they put into His hand. They poured all their hatred upon Him, spat in His face, struck Him on the head, and bowed their knees before Him as if He were a king. How frightfully those heathen soldiers shall be possessed with fear and terror on the day of judgment, when they see that this tortured Son of Man is their mighty Judge, the King of Kings!

Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, We love You and suffer with You when we recognize the injustice and torture You endured. You are the Almighty One who emptied His glory and became a man smitten unjustly for our sins. We are the ones who deserve the strokes and all the insults that fell upon You. You bore our punishment to save us from God’s wrath. We consider Your crown the most precious crown in this life and the life to come, for it is the unique crown of love and peace, colored with the drops of Your precious blood. Let us thank You by committing our lives to Your service. Thank You for Your suffering.
Question
Why did the Roman soldiers torture Christ so violently and mockingly?