Matthew 27:29
And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
στέφανον
a crown
G4735
στέφανον
a crown
Strong's:
G4735
Word #:
3 of 28
a chaplet (as a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally; but more conspicuous and elaborate than the simple fille
ἐξ
of
G1537
ἐξ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
4 of 28
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
ἐπὶ
in
G1909
ἐπὶ
in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
7 of 28
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κεφαλὴν
head
G2776
κεφαλὴν
head
Strong's:
G2776
Word #:
9 of 28
the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 28
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 #:
11 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κάλαμον
a reed
G2563
κάλαμον
a reed
Strong's:
G2563
Word #:
12 of 28
a reed (the plant or its stem, or that of a similar plant); by implication, a pen
ἐπὶ
in
G1909
ἐπὶ
in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
13 of 28
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δεξιὰν
right hand
G1188
δεξιὰν
right hand
Strong's:
G1188
Word #:
15 of 28
the right side or (feminine) hand (as that which usually takes)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 28
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 #:
17 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔμπροσθεν
before
G1715
ἔμπροσθεν
before
Strong's:
G1715
Word #:
19 of 28
in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 28
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
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
22 of 28
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
λέγοντες
saying
G3004
λέγοντες
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
23 of 28
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Χαῖρε
Hail
G5463
Χαῖρε
Hail
Strong's:
G5463
Word #:
24 of 28
to be "cheer"ful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Isaiah 53:3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.Matthew 20:19And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.Mark 15:18And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!Isaiah 49:7Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.Jeremiah 20:7O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.Matthew 26:49And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.Matthew 27:37And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Historical Context
The crown of thorns may have been shaped like a radiate crown worn by Hellenistic rulers (rays projecting outward), making the mockery more pointed. Soldiers would have known imperial iconography and deliberately parodied it.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus wearing the thorns of the curse reverse what Adam's sin brought into the world?
- What is the deeper meaning of Christ receiving mockery and false worship rather than retaliation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
A crown of thorns (στέφανον ἐξ ἀκανθῶν, stephanon ex akanthōn)—likely fashioned from the Syrian Christ-thorn (Ziziphus spina-christi) with long, sharp spikes. This is the anti-crown, fulfilling Genesis 3:18's curse (thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth)—Jesus wears creation's curse upon his head.
A reed in his right hand (κάλαμον, kalamon)—a mock scepter. Hail, King of the Jews! (Χαῖρε, βασιλεῦ, Chaire, basileu)—parody of the imperial greeting Ave Caesar. Every element—crown, scepter, acclamation—mocks kingship while unwittingly declaring truth.