John 19 Commentary

What does "scourged" (John 19:1) mean?
Jesus' back was shredded (see Roman Scourge).

Why did the Roman soldiers put a "purple" (John 19:2) robe on Jesus?
Purple was the color of royalty; the purple dye, extracted from a shell fish, was rare and expensive (details).

Why did they put a twist "a crown of thorns and put it on His head" (John 19:2)?
To imitate a crown worn by a king.

What did they put in Jesus' hand?
"a reed in His right hand" (Matthew 27:29) to imitate a king's scepter.

Did they do the above to respect or mock Jesus?
 

Who did the above to Jesus and where?
The entire Roman garrison of Jerusalem, back inside the Praetorium: Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on 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!” Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head (Matthew 27:27-30).

Where did Jesus feel the greatest physical pain?
Probably His back, which had been ripped to shreds (see Roman Scourge).

What's wrong with Pilate's words in John 19:4 compared to what he did?
If he found "no fault in Him," he should have released Jesus untouched.

How did Jesus look to the Jews?
His face would have been covered in blood from "the crown of thorns" (John 19:5), and His body would have been dripping blood from His scourged back.

Why did Pilate turn into a bloody pulp a man whom he himself had declared innocent, and then showcase him to the crowd?
Pilate had tried the Herod card (see My kingdom is not of this world) and then the Barabbas card, but neither had worked. So he was trying the pity card to see if something just short of killing Jesus would appease the Jews.

Does it work?
Let's read on.