Luke 23:11
And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
6 of 19
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στρατεύμασιν
men of war
G4753
στρατεύμασιν
men of war
Strong's:
G4753
Word #:
8 of 19
an armament, i.e., (by implication) a body of troops (more or less extensive or systematic)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
περιβαλὼν
him and arrayed
G4016
περιβαλὼν
him and arrayed
Strong's:
G4016
Word #:
12 of 19
to throw all around, i.e., invest (with a palisade or with clothing)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λαμπρὰν
in a gorgeous
G2986
λαμπρὰν
in a gorgeous
Strong's:
G2986
Word #:
15 of 19
radiant; by analogy, limpid; figuratively, magnificent or sumptuous (in appearance)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Historical Context
Roman soldiers and Herodian troops often used mock investiture to humiliate political prisoners claiming kingship. The 'gorgeous robe' may have been a white or purple garment from Herod's wardrobe, sarcastically acknowledging Jesus's claims while ridiculing them. Herod's sending Jesus back to Pilate both deferred responsibility and subtly acknowledged Roman supreme authority—the tetrarch had no interest in executing someone he deemed a harmless fool.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Herod's mockery paradoxically testify to truths about Jesus that Herod himself rejected?
- In what ways do we 'set Christ at nought' through casual dismissal of his claims or reduction of Christianity to mere religion?
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Analysis & Commentary
Herod with his men of war set him at nought (ἐξουθενήσας, exouthenēsas)—'treated him with contempt,' 'despised him utterly.' The same verb appears in Psalm 22:6 (LXX): 'I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.' Herod mocked him (ἐμπαίξας, empaizas), the prophesied mocking of the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 50:6, Psalm 22:7). The gorgeous robe (ἐσθῆτα λαμπράν, esthēta lampran)—'bright,' 'radiant,' perhaps white or purple—constituted mock-royal vestment, treating Jesus's kingship as farce.
Yet every mockery fulfills prophecy. They dress the King of Glory in royal robes as jest; God will clothe him in genuine glory at the resurrection. They 'set him at nought'—the very word Peter later uses in Acts 4:11 quoting Psalm 118:22: 'the stone which was set at nought of you builders.' Herod's contemptuous dismissal, sending Jesus back to Pilate, becomes another link in the chain of sovereign purpose—concentrating guilt upon both Jewish and Gentile authorities while moving inexorably toward Golgotha.