Chapter IX.—Of the Mockery Which He Sustained at the Hands of Pilate’s Cohort, and
of the Harmony Subsisting Among the Three Evangelists Who Report that Scene, Namely,
Matthew, Mark, and John.
36. We have now reached the point at which we may study the Lord’s passion, strictly
so called, as it is presented in the narrative of these four evangelists. Matthew commences
his account as follows: “Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall,
and gathered unto Him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped Him, and put on Him
a scarlet robe. 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!”1368 At the same stage in the narrative, Mark delivers himself thus:
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“And the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Prætorium; and they called together the
whole band. And they clothed Him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it
on His head, and began to salute Him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote Him
on the head with a reed, and did spit upon Him, and, bowing their knees, worshipped Him.”
1369 Here, therefore, we perceive that while Matthew tells us how they “put on Him a scarlet
robe,” Mark speaks of purple, with which He was clothed. The explanation may be that the
said scarlet robe was employed instead of the royal purple by these scoffers. There is also a
certain red-coloured purple which resembles scarlet very closely. And it may also be the
case that Mark has noticed the purple which the robe contained, although it was properly
scarlet. Luke has left this without mention. On the other hand, previous to stating how Pilate
delivered Him up to be crucified, John has introduced the following passage: “Then Pilate
therefore took Jesus, and scourged Him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and
put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe, and said, Hail, King of the Jews! And
they smote Him with their hands.”1370 This makes it evident that Matthew and Mark have
reported this incident in the way of a recapitulation, and that it did not actually take place
after Pilate had delivered Him up to be crucified. For John informs us distinctly enough
that these things took place when He yet was with Pilate. Hence we conclude that the other
evangelists have introduced the occurrence at that particular point, just because, having
previously passed it by, they recollected it there. This is also borne out by what Matthew
proceeds next to relate. He continues thus: “And they spit upon Him, and took the reed,
and smote Him on the head. And after that they had mocked Him, they took the robe off
from Him, and put His own raiment on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.”1371 Here
we are given to understand that the taking the robe off Him and the clothing Him with His
1368 Matt. xxvii. 27–31.
1369 Mark xv. 16–20.
1370 John xix. 1–3.
1371 Matt. xxvii. 30, 31.
Of the Mockery Which He Sustained at the Hands of Pilate’s Cohort, and of the Harmony Subsisting Among the Three Evangelists Who Report that Scene, Namely, Matthew, Mark, and John.
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Of the Mockery Which He Sustained at the Hands of Pilate’s Cohort, and of…