Mark 15:17
What does Mark 15:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 15:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 15:17 means
The soldiers clothe Jesus in purple and weave a crown of thorns, putting it on him. This mock regalia parodies kingship; purple symbolized royalty and thorns counterpoint the costly crown with pain. The action scorns Jesus’ claim to kingship, reducing it to a cruel joke. Yet in a deeper sense, it fulfills the reality of his kingship—suffering and shame are intrinsic to his crown. The scene reveals both Roman cruelty and theological irony: the King is crowned in suffering for our salvation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they clothe him with purple, and platting a crown of thorns, they put it on him;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they clothe him with purple, and platting a crown of thorns, they put it on him;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they put a purple robe on him, and twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on him;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and clothe him with purple, and having plaited a crown of thorns, they put <FI>it<Fi> on him,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they clothed him with purple: and, platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they clothe him with purple, and bind round on him a crown of thorns which they had plaited.
Context
This occurs within the Praetorium after the soldiers have assembled. Their mock coronation follows Pilate’s handing over of Jesus. It contrasts Rome’s power and scorn with Jesus’ true, sacrificial throne, leading directly to the verbal mockery and physical abuse recorded in the following verses.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 19:2
And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple garment;
- Luke 23:11
And Herod with his soldiers set him at nought, and mocked him, and arraying him in gorgeous apparel sent him back to Pilate.
- Matthew 27:28
And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
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