Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 19:3

"and they came unto him, and said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they struck him with their hands." — John 19:3 (ASV)

The legionnaires who had administered the scourging amused themselves by a crude joke. Knowing that Jesus was called “king of the Jews,” they threw a scarlet cloak about his shoulders, twisted a crown from a thorny vine that grew in the vicinity, and mocked him with the salutation “Hail, king of the Jews!” as they slapped his face.