Day 62: The Roman soldiers mock King Jesus
Have you ever been bullied? I hope not. It’s a terrible experience. Bullying can be physical or emotional. Both kinds are deeply painful. In our passage today, Jesus experiences physical and emotional bullying. Jesus had just been flogged, and now the Roman soldiers have fun by beating Him up some more and laughing at Him.
Where did the soldiers take Jesus in verse 16?
The Praetorium was the courtyard of Pilate’s headquarters.
Who did the soldiers in charge of Jesus call (v. 16)?
Why do you think they called the whole company of soldiers?
What did the soldiers put on Jesus’ body (v. 17)?
What did they put on Jesus’ head (v. 17)?
A king or ruler would have worn a purple robe and a conquering hero or victorious athlete would have worn a laurel wreath on his head. So, the soldiers are dressing Jesus up to look like a fake version of a king or hero.
What did the soldier call out to Jesus (v. 18)?
What did they do to His head (v. 19)?
What else did they do to Him (v. 19)?
Paying homage to someone means showing reverence or respect, especially to a king. The Greek word Mark uses here can also mean to worship. So, the soldiers are totally mocking the idea that Jesus is the King of the Jews.
What did the soldiers do when they had finished mocking Him (v. 20)?
Jesus has predicted everything that is going to happen to Him, including this bullying by the Roman soldiers. The third time He predicts His death to His disciples, He says, “The Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him” (Mark 10:33–34).
Many of the Jews were hoping that the Messiah would beat the Romans and throw them out of Jerusalem. How is Jesus’ plan the opposite of this?
So far in Mark’s gospel, we’ve seen Jesus showing His power to calm storms, heal sickness, multiply food, and walk on water. Do you think He could have stood up to the soldiers if He’d chosen to?
Why do you think Jesus let the soldiers treat Him like this?
How can this story help us when we’re being mocked for following Him?
Praise Jesus that He was willing to be mocked and beaten up, even though He really is the King—not only of the Jews, but of the whole universe. Pray that He would help you in times when you face mockery for following Him.