And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This wasn't just a mocking gesture; the soldiers dressed Jesus in a scarlet robe, likely an old military cloak. This attire, often worn by royalty or high-ranking officers, was a deliberate insult, ironically crowning the true King of the Jews with the symbols of earthly power and authority they themselves represented.
And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Roman soldiers, carrying out their cruel orders, mock Jesus as king by stripping him and dressing him in a scarlet robe, a garment often worn by Roman generals or officials. This mockery is part of a brutal process of tormenting Jesus before his crucifixion, following Pilate's reluctant decision to hand him over to the crowds. The soldiers continue their humiliation by crowning him with thorns and kneeling before him in false worship before they lead him away to be crucified.
Jesus is stripped and dressed in a scarlet robe. What does this piece of clothing signify in this moment?
The soldiers, acting on behalf of the Roman authorities, dressed Jesus in a 'scarlet robe.' This wasn't just any cloak; it was likely a soldier's cloak, called a 'chlamys' in Greek. These cloaks were worn by military officers and even Roman governors. By putting this on Jesus, the soldiers were sarcastically mimicking the authority and dignity of a king.
Think about it: Roman soldiers were the enforcers of Roman power. To give Jesus this garment was to mock his claim to be a king. They were essentially saying, 'You claim to be king? Fine, here's the uniform, but we're the ones in charge.' It was a cruel taunt, turning a symbol of authority into an object of ridicule.
Beyond the immediate mockery, the color scarlet itself carries layers of meaning connected to Jesus' mission.
The color scarlet, often described as red, wasn't just about looking like royalty; it pointed to deeper realities.
The Color of Sin
Some commentators suggest scarlet was a color associated with sin, like the prophet Isaiah mentions when describing God's judgment: 'though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow' (Isaiah 1:18). By clothing Jesus in scarlet, the soldiers unknowingly, or perhaps even symbolically, dressed him in the very sins of humanity that he came to bear.
The Color of Blood
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Scarlet is also the color of blood. This robe, put on Jesus just before his crucifixion, foreshadows the immense bloodshed he was about to endure. It's a visual prophecy of the price he would pay, immersing himself in suffering and sacrifice for the world.
Understand the original words
kokkinos · Greek Adjective
A bright, deep red or purple color, often associated with royalty, authority, and majesty in the ancient world.
chlamys · Greek Noun
A royal garment, often purple or red, worn to denote high status, authority, or kingly power.
The soldiers' act of dressing Jesus in a scarlet robe was a deliberate mockery, turning the symbols of royal authority into instruments of ridicule. This highlights the profound disconnect between Jesus' true identity as King and the brutal, earthly power that condemned Him.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Trial and Sentencing
After being arrested, Jesus is brought before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate and the Jewish Sanhedrin. Pilate, despite finding no guilt, ultimately yields to the crowd's demand and hands Jesus over for crucifixion.
c. 27-30 AD
Scourging of Jesus
As part of Roman crucifixion procedures, Jesus is brutally flogged by soldiers, a severe and painful punishment meant to weaken the victim.
c. 27-30 AD
Mockery by Soldiers
Roman soldiers, acting under Pilate's authority, engage in a cruel act of mockery, dressing Jesus in a kingly robe and crowning him with thorns.
c. 27-30 AD
Simon of Cyrene Carries the Cross
Jesus is led out to Golgotha, but due to his weakened state from scourging and abuse, a passerby named Simon is compelled to carry his cross.
c. 27-30 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is nailed to the cross and left to die, a horrific execution method used by the Romans for criminals and rebels.
c. 27-30 AD
Pilate Washes His Hands
Pontius Pilate, attempting to absolve himself of responsibility, washes his hands before the crowd, declaring his innocence of Jesus' blood.
The prophet Isaiah describes sins as being like scarlet or crimson, drawing a powerful parallel to Jesus being clothed in a scarlet robe as he bore the weight of humanity's sin.
John 19:2This passage directly mentions the soldiers fashioning a crown and robe for Jesus, echoing the mocking act described in Matthew and highlighting the soldiers' intent to ridicule Jesus' claim to kingship.
Luke 23:11Here, Herod's soldiers also mock Jesus by clothing him in 'magnificent clothing' before sending him back to Pilate, showing a similar, though perhaps distinct, instance of scornful royal attire being used against Jesus.
Psalm 22:17This psalm prophesies about the suffering servant, stating 'they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.' This foreshadows the stripping of Jesus' clothes, a critical part of the humiliation he endured.
vincentMatthew 27:28: "And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe."
Robe (χλαμύδα)The short military cloak which kings and emperors as well as soldiers wore.
gillMatthew 27:28: "And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe."
And they stripped him,.... Of his clothes; at least of his upper garment: for one man to spit upon another, as these soldiers afterwards did on Christ, or to strip him of his garment, according to the Jewish canons, were punishable with a fine of four hundred pence (z), which amounted to twelve pounds and ten shillings of our money; but the soldiers were in no danger of being prosecuted, for stripping Christ. This is one par…
This wasn't just a mocking gesture; the soldiers dressed Jesus in a scarlet robe, likely an old military cloak. This attire, often worn by royalty or high-ranking officers, was a deliberate insult, ironically crowning the true King of the Jews with the symbols of earthly power and authority they themselves represented.
The Roman soldiers, carrying out their cruel orders, mock Jesus as king by stripping him and dressing him in a scarlet robe, a garment often worn by Roman generals or officials. This mockery is part of a brutal process of tormenting Jesus before his crucifixion, following Pilate's reluctant decision to hand him over to the crowds. The soldiers continue their humiliation by crowning him with thorns and kneeling before him in false worship before they lead him away to be crucified.
The Roman soldiers, carrying out their cruel orders, mock Jesus as king by stripping him and dressing him in a scarlet robe, a garment often worn by Roman generals or officials. This mockery is part of a brutal process of tormenting Jesus before his crucifixion, following Pilate's reluctant decision to hand him over to the crowds. The soldiers continue their humiliation by crowning him with thorns and kneeling before him in false worship before they lead him away to be crucified.
"And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him," — This wasn't just a mocking gesture; the soldiers dressed Jesus in a scarlet robe, likely an old military cloak. This attire, often worn by royalty or high-ranking officers, was a deliberate insult, i…
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Last reviewed October 2026