and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The soldiers meticulously crafted this scene of mockery by using a "reed" as a scepter, deliberately imitating royal authority. This detail highlights how they not only intended to insult Jesus but also to mock the very concept of Jewish kingship itself.
and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Jesus is scourged and handed over to be crucified, Roman soldiers mock Him by dressing Him as a king. They place a robe on Him, weave a crown of thorns and place it on His head, and give Him a reed as a scepter. They then kneel before Him, taunting Him with "Hail, King of the Jews!"
The soldiers didn't just crown Jesus; they wove a symbol of his coming agony. This detail reveals a deeper, painful purpose behind their mockery.
The soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and placed it on Jesus' head. This wasn't just to make him look ridiculous, but it foreshadowed the immense suffering he was about to endure.
A Symbol of Pain
The thorns, a plant born from the curse of sin (Genesis 3:17-18), were woven into a mockery of a royal crown. This act powerfully symbolized the pain and shame Jesus was taking upon himself, not just from the soldiers' hands, but as the bearer of humanity's sin.
More Than Just Mockery
While the soldiers intended pure mockery, their actions inadvertently highlighted Jesus' true kingship. They dressed him in a 'royal robe' and gave him a 'scepter' (the reed), all while he was experiencing the ultimate humiliation. This stark contrast between their perception and his reality is a profound part of the crucifixion narrative.
The reed in Jesus' hand wasn't a symbol of power, but a cruel joke. It highlights the ultimate disconnect between the soldiers' understanding and Jesus' divine authority.
The soldiers placed a reed in Jesus' right hand, mimicking a royal scepter. This was a deliberate act of ridicule, designed to mock his claim to be 'King of the Jews.'
A False Authority
A scepter is a symbol of royal authority and power. By giving Jesus a fragile, common reed, they were sarcastically acknowledging his supposed kingship while simultaneously demeaning it. They were treating him as a madman playing king, not a true sovereign.
Ask a follow-up
The True King's Reign
This mockery, however, serves to underscore the nature of Jesus' kingdom. It is not a kingdom of earthly power, military might, or political control, but a spiritual reign that triumphs even in apparent defeat. The soldiers' scornful gesture ironically pointed to a king whose authority would ultimately conquer death and sin.
They knelt and cried 'Hail, King of the Jews!' – a scene of derision that eerily echoes a future reality of true worship.
The soldiers knelt before Jesus and mocked him with the salutation, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' This act of false homage is deeply significant.
The Soldiers' Cruel Jest
Kneeling was a gesture of deep respect and submission, typically shown to rulers. By forcing soldiers to perform this act for a mocked prisoner, the Romans were pouring insult upon injury. They wanted to make Jesus the butt of a humiliating joke, twisting a sign of honor into a tool of contempt.
A Prophetic Glimpse
Unwittingly, their mockery contained a prophetic truth. The Bible speaks of a day when every knee will bow to Jesus, not in scorn, but in genuine worship. The soldiers' forced kneeling was a twisted preview of the universal acknowledgment of Jesus' sovereign authority that will one day be realized in full glory.
This moment shows us how God can use the worst human intentions to fulfill His divine purposes. What the soldiers meant as ridicule, Scripture reveals as a foretaste of future adoration.
Understand the original words
stephanos · Greek Noun
An object placed on the head as a symbol of authority, honor, or victory; here used ironically to mock Jesus as a king.
kalamos · Greek Noun
A dry stalk of a plant used as a makeshift scepter to mock Christ's claim to kingship.
empaizō · Greek Verb
To express contempt or ridicule through imitation, gestures, or words; in the Passion narrative, it serves to dehumanize Jesus while ironically affirming His royal identity.
basileus · Greek Noun
A title of sovereignty used for the promised Messiah who would rule over the covenant people of God, often contested by Roman authorities.
The soldiers' mockery of Jesus as 'King of the Jews' was a brutal, ironic act. They were enacting a charade of kingship, unaware that they were fulfilling prophecy and that Jesus' true, spiritual kingdom would ultimately triumph over all earthly powers.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus' Ministry and Growing Popularity
Jesus' teachings and miracles gained him a large following among the Jewish people, causing concern among the religious and political authorities.
c. 30 AD
Arrest and Trial of Jesus
Jesus was arrested after the Last Supper, tried by the Jewish Sanhedrin, and then handed over to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.
c. 30 AD
Pilate's Reluctance and the Crowd's Demand
Pilate, the Roman governor, initially found no fault with Jesus but yielded to the demands of the crowd and the Jewish leaders, releasing Barabbas and condemning Jesus.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Scourging and Mockery by Roman Soldiers
Before crucifixion, Roman soldiers subjected Jesus to brutal scourging and a humiliating mockery, dressing him as a mock king to deride his claims.
c. 30 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus was crucified at Golgotha, a public execution reserved for criminals and enemies of the state.
c. 70 AD
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Jewish rebellion against Rome led to the devastating destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, fulfilling Jesus' prophecies about the city's judgment.
This passage eerily foreshadows the soldiers' mockery, describing the suffering servant being scorned and ridiculed by those who witness his affliction, anticipating the taunts Jesus faced.
Isaiah 53:3This verse directly states that the Suffering Servant 'was despised and rejected by men,' which perfectly captures the essence of the soldiers' cruel actions and the world's rejection of Jesus as king.
1 Samuel 10:24When Saul was presented as king, the people responded with 'Hail, King!' This passage offers a contrast, showing a genuine acclamation of kingship, which makes the soldiers' sarcastic 'Hail, King of the Jews!' even more poignant and mocking.
Philippians 2:7-8This passage speaks of Jesus emptying himself and taking the form of a servant, even to the point of death on a cross. The soldiers' actions of placing a 'crown' and 'scepter' on him in mockery highlight the stark contrast between his divine kingship and his humble, suffering state.
barnesMatthew 27:29: "And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon 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!"
Had platted - The word "platted" here means "woven together." They made a "wreath" of a thorn-bush. A crown - Or perhaps, rather, a wreath. A crown was worn by kings, commonly made of gold and precious stones. To ridicule the pretensions of Jesus that he was a king, they probably plucked up a th…
pooleMatthew 27:29: "And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon 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!"
See Poole on "Matthew 27:31" .
The soldiers meticulously crafted this scene of mockery by using a "reed" as a scepter, deliberately imitating royal authority. This detail highlights how they not only intended to insult Jesus but also to mock the very concept of Jewish kingship itself.
After Jesus is scourged and handed over to be crucified, Roman soldiers mock Him by dressing Him as a king. They place a robe on Him, weave a crown of thorns and place it on His head, and give Him a reed as a scepter. They then kneel before Him, taunting Him with "Hail, King of the Jews!"
After Jesus is scourged and handed over to be crucified, Roman soldiers mock Him by dressing Him as a king. They place a robe on Him, weave a crown of thorns and place it on His head, and give Him a reed as a scepter. They then kneel before Him, taunting Him with "Hail, King of the Jews!"
"and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”" — The soldiers meticulously crafted this scene of mockery by using a "reed" as a scepter, deliberately imitating royal authority. This detail highlights how they not only intended to insult Jesus but a…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026