A Crown of Thorns

Lesson #310

We have come to a new chapter, but the narrative of chapter 18 continues with the trial of Jesus and the ultimate success of the Jewish leaders in overcoming the stubborn will of Pilate to release Jesus. Looking ahead through chapter 19 we find we will be covering the topics of: Jesus delivered to be crucified, the crucifixion, and his burial.

Thus, continuing from chapter 18: “Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him” (John 19:1 ESV). Pilate would not have personally flogged Jesus, but delivered him over to others who do that. Notice that Pilate had him flogged not scourged. Looking at Matthew 27:26, one sees a possible second beating: “Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified” (ESV). The flogging comes before the sentencing and before Barabbas is released, then after releasing Barabbas, Pilate has Jesus scourged and delivered to be crucified. It was customary to scourge the person who was to be crucified and at this point Jesus hasn’t been sentenced to be crucified. I believe the flogging was a lesser punishment than scourging and that Pilate was hopeful that by releasing Barabbas and punishing Jesus with a flogging, he could satisfy the Jews.

Note that flogged in John 19:1 comes from emastigosen and scourged in Matthew 27:26 comes from phragellosas; two different Greek words. A flogging is the infliction of punishment by dealing blows or whipping while scourging is a beating with a scourge. Flogging is designed to bruise not break the skin while scourging is designed to shred the skin so it hangs down in pieces. I confess there is confusion here because Matthew says, “having scourged Jesus” which seems to imply the same time as the flogging in John. The commentaries are divided on this so I must leave this unresolved and stay focused on what John is saying and move on to verse 2.

“And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe” (John 19:2 ESV). The crown of thorns and the purple robe are two examples of mockery of the claim of Jesus being a king. It appears from Luke 23:11 that Jesus was sent from Herod to Pilate wearing a gorgeous purple royal robe. This robe would have been taken off before Jesus was scourged. After being scourged, a crown of thorns was placed on his head and the robe put back on him. The crown of thorns may point back to the disobedience of Adam and as a result he would experience thorns and thistles among the good plants. This crown is a reminder of the curse on us because of our sin; a curse that, as our king, Jesus was about to take on himself in our place. The crown of thorns and the robe may be a way of satisfying the rage of the Jews by implying that the accusations which were brought against Jesus were true.

Prayer

Father, like Jesus was condemned to death without any evidence of guilt, so too our brothers and sisters who are brought to trial and condemned without real evidence. The suffering and death of Jesus purchased our salvation and from the suffering and even death of those under persecution, the church expands. Jesus promised we would be hated as he was and for many this is played out with great suffering even death. Father, we who are living in comfort and safety need to learn about them and pray for them.