And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

MARK 15:20KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“off” Greek G1562 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 27:28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
  • Matthew 27:31 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.
  • Luke 10:30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

“purple” Greek G4209 · used in 5 verses

  • Mark 15:17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,
  • Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
  • Revelation 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

“mocked” Greek G1702 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Matthew 27:41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
  • Luke 18:32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:

“led” Greek G1806 · used in 13 verses

  • Mark 8:23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
  • Acts 7:36 He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
  • Acts 16:37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.