Jean 19:3

3 Et ils lui disaient: Roi des Juifs, nous te saluons; et ils lui donnaient des soufflets.

Jean 19:3 Meaning and Commentary

John 19:3

And said, hail, King of the Jews!
&c.] Some copies before this clause read, "and they came unto him"; and so read the Vulgate Latin, Arabic, Coptic, and Ethiopic versions; that is, they came and prostrated themselves before him; bowed the knee unto him, and addressed him in a mock way, as if he was an earthly monarch just come to his crown, and whom they wished long to live; thus mocking at his kingly office, and despising him under that character, as many do now: some will not have him to reign over them, but reject him as King; and others, though in words they own him to be King, yet disregard his commands, and act no better part than these scoffing soldiers did:

and they smote him with their hands:
upon his cheeks, as the Syriac version reads it. These, and many other affronts they gave him; in all which they were indulged by Pilate, and was a pleasing scene to the wicked Jews, whose relentless hearts were not in the least moved hereby, though Pilate hoped they would; and which was his view in allowing the soldiers to use such incivilities and indecencies to him.

Jean 19:3 In-Context

1 Pilate fit donc prendre Jésus, et le fit fouetter.

2 Et les soldats ayant tressé une couronne d'épines, la lui mirent sur la tête, et le vêtirent d'un manteau de pourpre.

3 Et ils lui disaient: Roi des Juifs, nous te saluons; et ils lui donnaient des soufflets.

4 Pilate sortit de nouveau et leur dit: Voici, je vous l'amène dehors, afin que vous sachiez que je ne trouve aucun crime en lui.

5 Jésus sortit donc, portant la couronne d'épines, et le manteau de pourpre. Et il leur dit: Voici l'homme.