Mark 15:20 (KJV)

What does Mark 15:20 mean?

Mark 15:20 describes how, after mocking Jesus, the Roman soldiers removed the purple robe they had put on him, dressed him again in his own clothes, and then led him out to be crucified. This verse marks the transition from the soldiers’ cruel treatment to the beginning of Jesus’ journey to the cross.

The scene takes place in the governor’s headquarters, where Roman soldiers are gathered around Jesus. They had just finished mocking him by dressing him in a purple robe (a symbol of royalty) and pretending to honor him as “King of the Jews.” Once their mockery ended, they returned his own clothes and prepared to carry out the crucifixion, which was a Roman method of execution reserved for criminals and rebels.

The Greek behind Mark 15:20

• The word for "mocked" is ἐμπαίζω (empaizō), which means to ridicule or make fun of someone. This highlights the soldiers’ intent to humiliate Jesus, not just physically hurt him.
• The word for "purple" is πορφύρα (porphyra), often understood as a garment dyed in purple, a color associated with royalty and power. The soldiers’ use of this robe was meant as a cruel joke, mocking Jesus’ claim to kingship.
• The verb for "led out" is ἐξάγω (exagō), which means to lead or bring out, often with the sense of taking someone from one place to another for a specific purpose. Here, it underscores the official and deliberate nature of taking Jesus to be crucified.

Why Mark 15:20 matters

• Mark 15:20 makes clear that the soldiers’ mockery was intentional and public, emphasizing the humiliation Jesus endured before his death.
• The verse connects the mockery directly to the crucifixion, showing that the suffering Jesus experienced was both emotional and physical.
• By noting the return of Jesus’ own clothes, Mark highlights the transition from mockery to execution, setting the stage for the events that follow on the way to the cross.