And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easily missed here is that Herod, by dressing Jesus in a "bright" or "shining" robe, was ironically honoring Him in a way that suited his own royal status. This act, meant as mockery, unconsciously echoed the prophecy of a king who would be "bright" and bring salvation. It’s a stunning picture of the world's blindness, mistaking divine glory for foolishness.
And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus stands before Herod, who has long wanted to see him perform a miracle, but Jesus remains silent to Herod's questions. Instead of performing a miracle, Herod and his soldiers mock Jesus, treating him with contempt and dressing him in a shining robe like a king, before sending him back to Pilate. This exchange, meant to amuse Herod, ultimately serves to highlight Jesus' innocence and leads to a reconciliation between Herod and Pilate, who were previously at odds.
Imagine being dressed up in fine clothes not to honor you, but to make a fool of you. That’s exactly what happened to Jesus.
Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with utter contempt, calling it 'setting him at nought.' They dressed Him in a 'gorgeous' or 'bright' robe. This wasn't a royal robe of honor, but a mocking imitation.
Sometimes, people who seem to be at odds can find common ground in their opposition to what is right.
This event reveals an uncomfortable truth about human rulers: their animosity towards Jesus was so strong that it overcame their own previous conflicts.
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Understand the original words
exoutheneo · Greek Verb
The state of being regarded as unworthy of consideration or respect; often involving disdainful, insulting behavior. In a biblical context, it reflects the rejection of God's authority or His representative.
empaizo · Greek Verb
To ridicule or hold up to scorn, often implying a mimicry or ironic portrayal. In the Gospels, this is part of the suffering endured by Jesus, highlighting his humiliation.
This interaction reveals the political maneuvering and casual cruelty of the ruling powers, who, despite their authority, ultimately stand in opposition to the divine.
c. 4 BC
Herod the Great Dies
The death of Herod the Great leads to the division of his kingdom among his sons, including Herod Antipas who receives Galilee and Perea. This sets the stage for Antipas's rule during Jesus' ministry.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus travels and teaches throughout Galilee and Judea, gaining a following and attracting the attention of religious and political authorities.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus Arrested and Brought to Trial
Following his arrest in Jerusalem, Jesus is subjected to a series of trials before the Jewish Sanhedrin and then the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Pilate Sends Jesus to Herod Antipas
Upon learning that Jesus is a Galilean, Pilate, seeking to avoid responsibility and perhaps to mend a strained relationship with Herod, sends Jesus to Herod Antipas, who is visiting Jerusalem.
c. AD 30-33
Herod Mocks Jesus
Herod, along with his soldiers, treats Jesus with contempt, mocks him, and dresses him in a 'gorgeous robe' before sending him back to Pilate.
c. AD 30-33
Pilate and Herod Reconciled
The exchange of Jesus between Pilate and Herod, though rooted in mockery and disdain, serves to reconcile the two rulers who had previously been at odds.
This passage prophesies the suffering servant being led like a sheep to the slaughter, remaining silent before his accusers, which directly parallels Jesus' silent suffering and mistreatment by Herod and his soldiers.
Psalm 22:6-8David laments that people 'despise and ridicule him,' 'mock him with their lips,' and 'shake their heads,' which mirrors the actions of Herod and his soldiers who 'treated him with contempt and mocked him' and 'arrayed him in splendid clothing' as a mockery.
1 Samuel 2:30God declares that those who 'honor me I will honor, but those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed,' which is a divine commentary on Herod's contemptuous treatment of Jesus, showing that in despising Christ, he ultimately dishonored God.
John 18:36Jesus states, 'My kingdom is not of this world,' directly addressing the accusations that led to his trial. Herod's mocking attire, while intended to ridicule Jesus' kingship, ironically points to the divine authority that Jesus acknowledged, albeit in a spiritual, not earthly, sense.
Matthew 27:27-31This passage describes Roman soldiers clothing Jesus in purple, mocking him as 'King of the Jews,' and spitting on him, which parallels Herod's soldiers dressing Jesus in splendid clothing and treating him with contempt, highlighting the consistent human rejection and mockery of Christ by different authorities.
vincentLuke 23:11: "And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate."
Gorgeous (λαμπρὰν)Lit., bright or brilliant. Compare Acts 10:30; Revelation 15:6. Wyc. and Tynd., white. Mark has purple (πορφύραν), and Matthew scarlet (κοκκίνην).Apparel (ἐσθῆτα)The general term for raiment. Matthew specifies the garment (Matthew 27:28). Mark has simply purple (Mark 15:17).
barnesLuke 23:11: "And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate."
Herod with his men of war - With his soldiers, or his body-guard. It is probable that in traveling he had "a guard" to attend him constantly. Set him at nought - Treated him with contempt and ridicule. A gorgeous robe - A white or shining robe, for this is the meaning of the original. The Roman princes wore "purple" robes, and "Pilate," therefore, put…
What's easily missed here is that Herod, by dressing Jesus in a "bright" or "shining" robe, was ironically honoring Him in a way that suited his own royal status. This act, meant as mockery, unconsciously echoed the prophecy of a king who would be "bright" and bring salvation. It’s a stunning picture of the world's blindness, mistaking divine glory for foolishness.
Jesus stands before Herod, who has long wanted to see him perform a miracle, but Jesus remains silent to Herod's questions. Instead of performing a miracle, Herod and his soldiers mock Jesus, treating him with contempt and dressing him in a shining robe like a king, before sending him back to Pilate. This exchange, meant to amuse Herod, ultimately serves to highlight Jesus' innocence and leads to a reconciliation between Herod and Pilate, who were previously at odds.
Jesus stands before Herod, who has long wanted to see him perform a miracle, but Jesus remains silent to Herod's questions. Instead of performing a miracle, Herod and his soldiers mock Jesus, treating him with contempt and dressing him in a shining robe like a king, before sending him back to Pilate. This exchange, meant to amuse Herod, ultimately serves to highlight Jesus' innocence and leads to a reconciliation between Herod and Pilate, who were previously at odds.
"And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate." — What's easily missed here is that Herod, by dressing Jesus in a "bright" or "shining" robe, was ironically honoring Him in a way that suited his own royal status. This act, meant as mockery, unconsci…
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Last reviewed October 2026