Mark 15:16-19

And the soldiers led Him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. V. 17. And they clothed Him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about His head, V. 18. and began to salute Him, Hail, King of the Jews! V. 19. And they smote Him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon Him, and, bowing their knees, worshiped Him.

It was now the soldier's opportunity; the prisoner was in their hands.

They led Him, first of all, into the court of the palace, which served for their barracks and was called Praetorium. Here they called together the entire cohort, or band. Here was a rare chance for sport in which they delighted. In rough playfulness, like children that delight in playing at dressing up, they put a mantle of a purple color upon Him, to represent the kingly garment. A wreath, or crown, of thorns was quickly platted and placed about His head, fittingly to represent the golden circle of the earthly rulers.

And then the jeering mockery began, which reflected also upon the Jews. They began to greet, to salute Him, to hail Him as the King of the Jews; for this title they found exceptionally funny: a fitting king for this people that was hated and despised by the Romans. With the reed which they had previously given Him in place of a scepter they now, as the fun began to pall on them, hit Him on the head, to drive the sharp spikes into the tender flesh of the head, They, spat upon Him as upon a vile and loathsome creature; they fell upon their knees in scoffing worship.

Such was the Savior's experience, for His Passion stands out most prominently in the whole account. He gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; He did not hide His face from shame and spitting, Is. 50, 6. It was the mercy and the long-suffering of the Redeemer of the world.