Mark 15:16-20

Mark 15:16-20 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. 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. Pilate believed that Jesus was innocent. I think that Pilate let his soldiers abuse Jesus in order to get him sympathy from the Jewish leaders. But Pilate miscalculated. The chief priests had hearts of stone. When Jesus was brought out bruised and bloody, the Jewish leaders had absolutely no pity for Him. They only shouted all the more loudly, “Crucify him!” On the one hand, I am angry at them. But on the other hand, I understand God’s plan for our salvation. I accept the death of Jesus Christ, my Savior, but I am sorry that He had to die.