Mark 15:16
And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
Original Language Analysis
Οἱ
G3588
Οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στρατιῶται
the soldiers
G4757
στρατιῶται
the soldiers
Strong's:
G4757
Word #:
3 of 16
a camper-out, i.e., a (common) warrior (literally or figuratively)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 16
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
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐλῆς
the hall
G833
αὐλῆς
the hall
Strong's:
G833
Word #:
8 of 16
a yard (as open to the wind); by implication, a mansion
ὅ
G3739
ὅ
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
9 of 16
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐστιν
G2076
πραιτώριον
Praetorium
G4232
πραιτώριον
Praetorium
Strong's:
G4232
Word #:
11 of 16
the praetorium or governor's courtroom (sometimes including the whole edifice and camp)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅλην
the whole
G3650
ὅλην
the whole
Strong's:
G3650
Word #:
14 of 16
"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb
Cross References
John 19:9And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.Matthew 26:3Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,John 18:28Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
Historical Context
Roman cohorts stationed in Judea were auxiliaries (non-citizen troops) rather than legions, often recruited from Syria or Samaria—non-Jews who held Jewish messianic claims in contempt. The gathering of the 'whole band' suggests official sanction for what follows—not merely individual cruelty but institutional mockery. The praetorium's location is disputed: Herod's Palace (traditional site) in the upper city, or Fortress Antonia adjacent to the Temple. Archaeological evidence supports both locations for different periods.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Mark emphasize that the 'whole band' assembled to mock Jesus?
- How does the soldiers' mockery of Jesus as king fulfill Isaiah's prophecies of the suffering servant?
- What does the progression from Jewish religious mockery to Roman military mockery reveal about Jesus's universal rejection?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium (Οἱ δὲ στρατιῶται ἀπήγαγον αὐτὸν ἔσω τῆς αὐλῆς, ὅ ἐστιν πραιτώριον, Hoi de stratiōtai apēgagon auton esō tēs aulēs, ho estin praitōrion)—The verb ἀπάγω (apagō) means to lead away, often of prisoners to execution. The στρατιῶται (stratiōtai, soldiers) were Roman legionaries. The πραιτώριον (praitōrion), from Latin praetorium, was the governor's official residence/headquarters, either Herod's Palace (upper city) or Fortress Antonia (by the Temple).
And they call together the whole band (καὶ συγκαλοῦσιν ὅλην τὴν σπεῖραν, kai synkalousin holēn tēn speiran)—A σπεῖρα (speira), from Latin cohors (cohort), numbered 200-600 soldiers. Mark emphasizes ὅλην (holēn, 'whole')—the entire garrison assembled to mock Jesus. What follows (vv. 17-20) is calculated humiliation. The King of kings, having endured Jewish mockery (14:65), now faces Gentile contempt. Isaiah 50:6 foretold: 'I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.'