Mocked by Everyone
TRANSLATION
(16) And the soldiers led Jesus into the governor’s palace (that is, the Praetorium), and they called together the whole battalion. (17) And they clothed him in a purple robe and, twisting together a crown of thorns, they set it on him. (18) And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” (19) And they struck his head with a reed and spit on him, and kneeling, they paid homage to him. (20) And when they had mocked him, they stripped off the purple robe and put his own garments back on him. And they led him away to crucify him.
(21) And they forced one passing by just coming in from the country, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them to carry his cross. (22) And they brought him to a place called Golgotha which means “the place of the skull.” (23) And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. (24) And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots to decide what each would get. (25) And it was nine in the morning when they crucified him. (26) And the written notice of the charge against him read, “the King of the Jews.” (27) And along with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. (29) And those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, (30) save yourself and come down from the cross.” (31) In like manner also the chief priests mocked him to one another and, with the teachers of the Law, said, “He saved others. He cannot save himself. (32) Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now so that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.
NOTE: Some manuscripts insert an additional verse: (28) And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “He was numbered with the transgressors.”
OBSERVATIONS
Most of the verses in this segment began with the connective “and.” The repetition of “and” so frequently became almost like the beating of a drum by which the author pushes us through this tragic narrative with a growing sense of urgency toward its inevitable outcome. “Crucify” and “cross” are found eight times (once each in vss. 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, & 30, and twice in 32). Three synonymous verbs described the actions of those who witnessed his suffering and death: they “mocked him” (vss. 20 & 31), “derided him” (vs. 29), and “reviled him” (vs. 32).
OUTLINE
I. Jesus was first mocked by the soldiers in the governor’s palace. (16-20a)
II. Jesus was then led to Golgotha for his crucifixion with Simon carrying his cross. (20b-25)
III. Jesus was mocked by all who witnessed his death... (26-32)
– by Pilate in the inscription he had placed on the cross. (26)
– by the spectators. (29 & 30)
– by the chief priests with the teachers of the Law. (31 & 32)
– by the criminals who were crucified alongside him. (27 & 32)
IDEA STATEMENT
In the events leading up to his death Jesus had to endure not only physical suffering but also the mocking and derision of all who were involved.
APPLICATION
Which is harder to endure, physical suffering or emotional and mental anguish? Certainly the horrors of being beaten repeatedly and hung on a cross caused Jesus extreme physical pain almost beyond endurance. However, the ridicule, the mocking and derision to which Jesus was subjected during the hours leading up to his death, must have seemed just as painful or perhaps even more painful than the physical suffering he was forced to endure. He deserved none of the treatment he received from the hands of sinful men. Yet, he bore the pain knowing what great things he would accomplish through that terrible suffering in bringing many sons to glory.
Consider what the Apostle Peter had to say regarding the significance of Jesus’ suffering: “For to this you have been called because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return. When he suffered, he did not threaten, but entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed, for you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Pet. 2:21-25).