15Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
16The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. 17They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. 18And they began to call out to him, "Hail, king of the Jews!" 19Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. 20And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
1 comment:
Why are people so cruel? This humiliation of Jesus, in some ways, is worse than the physical crucification itself. It's worse, because it is so unnecessary. It is pointlessly cruel.
As terrible as the conspirators were, they had reason to want Jesus dead. They viewed him as a threat - politically, socially and religiously. Also, if they truly believed that Jesus was lying - Jesus would be a most terrible, outrageous, evil blasphemer.
Pontius Pilate had to order the crucification, because despite all his power - he was maneuvered into a situation in which he had no other choice.
But these soldiers are simply bullies. They delight in torturing and humiliating someone weaker than themselves. In my mind, this is a purer kind of evil. Evilness for the delight and enjoyment of evil. No justification is necessary for these soldiers, because they do not struggle with their conscience. They act in such a manner simply because they can.
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