Mark 15:19
And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔτυπτον
they smote
G5180
ἔτυπτον
they smote
Strong's:
G5180
Word #:
2 of 15
to "thump", i.e., cudgel or pummel (properly, with a stick or bastinado), but in any case by repeated blows; thus differing from g3817 and g3960, whic
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 15
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
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κεφαλὴν
on the head
G2776
κεφαλὴν
on the head
Strong's:
G2776
Word #:
5 of 15
the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively
καλάμῳ
with a reed
G2563
καλάμῳ
with a reed
Strong's:
G2563
Word #:
6 of 15
a reed (the plant or its stem, or that of a similar plant); by implication, a pen
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 15
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 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τιθέντες
bowing
G5087
τιθέντες
bowing
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
11 of 15
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Spitting on someone was the ultimate act of contempt in both Roman and Jewish culture, representing total rejection and defilement. Roman soldiers' brutality toward condemned prisoners was legendary—they had unlimited authority to abuse them before execution. The specific combination of mock worship and physical abuse was designed to psychologically destroy the victim's dignity before crucifixion destroyed their body.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' silent endurance of mockery challenge your response to personal humiliation?
- What does Christ's willingness to be ceremonially defiled reveal about the costliness of your redemption?
- In what subtle ways might you 'worship' Jesus outwardly while treating Him contemptuously in your heart?
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Analysis & Commentary
They smote him on the head with a reed (ἐτύπτων αὐτοῦ τὴν κεφαλὴν καλάμῳ)—The imperfect tense of typtō (τύπτω, 'strike') indicates repeated, continuous beating. The kalamos (κάλαμος, reed-staff) they had mockingly placed in His hand as a royal scepter became an instrument of torture, driving the thorns deeper into His skull with each blow.
Did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him—The Greek proskynēō (προσκυνέω, worship) means to prostrate oneself, the highest form of reverence. This grotesque combination—spitting (emptysantes, ἐμπτύσαντες) while genuflecting—represents total mockery. Yet Isaiah 50:6 prophesied exactly this: 'I gave my back to the smiters...I hid not my face from shame and spitting.' Jesus endured ritual defilement (spitting rendered one ceremonially unclean) to purify us.