And some began to spit on him
The men that held him, ( Luke 22:6 ) , fulfilling the prophecy in ( Isaiah 50:6 ) ;
and to cover his face;
with a veil, or linen cloth, to blindfold: him, as a person unworthy to behold the light: or rather, in order to make sport with him:
and to buffet him;
with their double fists;
and to say unto him, prophesy.
The Arabic version adds, "unto us, O Christ, who it is that hath buffeted thee now?" that gave thee the last blow? and to the same purpose the Ethiopic. The Persic version adds, "and deliver thyself";
and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.
The Syriac version renders it, "on his cheeks": they gave him slaps on the face. These were the officers of the high priest, that used him in this indecent manner. This clause is omitted in the Ethiopic version.