And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

MATTHEW 27:28KJV
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Matthew 27:28 (KJV)

What does Matthew 27:28 mean?

Matthew 27:28 describes how the Roman soldiers stripped Jesus of his clothes and put a scarlet robe on him. This act was part of their mocking, dressing him up to ridicule his claim to be a king.

In this scene, Roman soldiers are handling Jesus after his arrest and before his crucifixion. The scarlet robe was likely meant to imitate royal clothing, as scarlet dye was associated with wealth and authority. By stripping Jesus and dressing him in this robe, the soldiers were making a cruel joke of his title, “King of the Jews,” setting the stage for further humiliation.

The Greek behind Matthew 27:28

  • The word for "stripped" (ἐκδύω, ekdyō) means to take off clothes, often with force or humiliation. Here, it highlights the public shame Jesus endured.
  • The word for "scarlet" (κοκκίνεος, kokkineos) refers to a bright red or deep crimson color, which was commonly used for garments of high status or royalty. This detail shows the soldiers’ intent to mock Jesus as a false king.
  • The word for "robe" (χλαμύς, chlamys) refers to a short cloak worn by Roman soldiers or officials. The soldiers likely used one of their own cloaks to mockingly dress Jesus as a king.

Why Matthew 27:28 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the soldiers’ actions were not just physical abuse but also public humiliation, using symbols of royalty to mock Jesus’ identity.
  • The detail about the scarlet robe connects to the larger theme of Jesus being presented as a king, even as he is rejected and mocked by earthly authorities.
  • Understanding the cultural meaning of the robe and its color helps readers see the depth of the mockery and the fulfillment of prophecies about the Messiah’s suffering.

Where else these words appear

“robe” Greek G5511 · used in 2 verses

  • 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.

“stripped” Greek G1562 · used in 5 verses

  • 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.
  • Mark 15:20 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.
  • 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.

“scarlet” Greek G2847 · used in 6 verses

  • Hebrews 9:19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
  • Revelation 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
  • Revelation 18:12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

“on” Greek G4060 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 21:33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
  • Mark 12:1 And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
  • Mark 15:36 And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.