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.

MATTHEW 27:31KJV
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Matthew 27:31 (KJV)

What does Matthew 27:31 mean?

Matthew 27:31 describes the moment when the soldiers’ ridicule of Jesus gives way to preparations for his execution. They remove the robe they had used while mocking him, dress him in his own clothes, and lead him away to be crucified.

The change of clothing marks the end of the soldiers’ cruel performance. After they had knelt and pretended to honor Jesus as a king, they now lead him away under guard.

The Greek behind Matthew 27:31

  • “mocked” — ἐμπαίζω (empaizō): This word carries the sense of making fun of someone or treating someone with scorn. Here it describes the soldiers’ actions toward Jesus, including their pretend show of honor.
  • “raiment” — ἱμάτιον (himation): This word means clothing or a garment. The phrase “his own raiment” distinguishes Jesus’s clothes from the robe the soldiers had put on him.

Why Matthew 27:31 matters

  • The robe was part of the mockery, not Jesus’s own clothing. Matthew distinguishes it from “his own raiment,” which the soldiers put back on him.
  • The verse marks a change in the soldiers’ purpose. The words “led him away to crucify him” move the account from ridicule toward the execution itself.
  • Jesus is being led by others. The soldiers take the actions in the sentence, while Jesus is the person they mock, dress, and lead away.

Where else these words appear

“robe” Greek G5511 · used in 2 verses

  • Matthew 27:28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

“took” Greek G1562 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 27:28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
  • 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.

“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.
  • Mark 10:34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.
  • Luke 18:32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:

“led” Greek G520 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
  • Mark 14:53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.
  • John 19:16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.