Mark 15:20
And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτόν
from him
G846
αὐτόν
from him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 21
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
ἐξέδυσαν
they took off
G1562
ἐξέδυσαν
they took off
Strong's:
G1562
Word #:
5 of 21
to cause to sink out of, i.e., (specially as of clothing) to divest
αὐτόν
from him
G846
αὐτόν
from him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 21
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 #:
7 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πορφύραν
the purple
G4209
πορφύραν
the purple
Strong's:
G4209
Word #:
8 of 21
the "purple" mussel, i.e., (by implication) the red-blue color itself, and finally a garment dyed with it
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτόν
from him
G846
αὐτόν
from him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 21
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
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἴδια
his own
G2398
ἴδια
his own
Strong's:
G2398
Word #:
15 of 21
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτόν
from him
G846
αὐτόν
from him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 21
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 execution protocol required the condemned to carry their own crossbeam (patibulum) through crowded streets to the execution site outside city walls. This public procession served as deterrent propaganda. Jewish law required executions outside the city (Leviticus 24:14; Numbers 15:35) to prevent ritual defilement of the community—though crucifixion was purely Roman.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' journey 'outside the gate' (bearing your sin) reshape your understanding of sanctification?
- What comfort do you find in knowing Christ experienced humiliation's full psychological and physical dimensions?
- In what ways are you tempted to remove Christ's 'reproach' by conforming His message to worldly respectability?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
When they had mocked him, they took off the purple (ἐνέπαιξαν αὐτῷ, ἐξέδυσαν αὐτὸν τὴν πορφύραν)—The verb ekdyō (ἐκδύω, 'strip off') indicates forcible removal. Dried blood would have caused the robe to adhere to His scourge-torn back; ripping it off would have reopened wounds. They returned His own clothes, likely so His execution would appear 'legitimate' rather than theatrical.
Led him out to crucify him (ἐξάγουσιν αὐτὸν ἵνα σταυρώσωσιν)—The present tense verbs create vivid immediacy: 'they are leading...they are crucifying.' The Greek stauroō (σταυρόω, crucify) derives from stauros (cross/stake). Mark's stark, unadorned language mirrors the brutal reality: the Suffering Servant's humiliation transitions to execution. Hebrews 13:12 notes Jesus 'suffered outside the gate'—bearing our sin outside the camp, like the scapegoat (Leviticus 16:21-22).