John 19:3

3 and said, Hail, king of Jews. And they gave to him buffets.

John 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.

John 19:3 In-Context

1 Therefore Pilate took then Jesus, and scourged him. [Therefore then Pilate took Jesus, and scourged.]

2 And knights wreathed a crown of thorns, and set [put] on his head, and did about him a cloak of purple [a cloth of purple], and came to him,

3 and said, Hail, king of Jews. And they gave to him buffets.

4 Again Pilate went out, and said to them, Lo! I bring him out to you [Lo! I lead him to you withoutforth], that ye know, that I find no cause in him.

5 And so Jesus went out, bearing a crown of thorns, and a cloak of purple [and a cloth of purple]. And he saith to them, Lo! the man.