Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 19:5

"Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. And [Pilate] saith unto them, Behold, the man!" — John 19:5 (ASV)

As the soldiers brought him out to the view of the crowd, Pilate, having once more declared Jesus’ innocence, said, “Here is the man!” Pilate may have thought that the ironic spectacle of a king whose crown was thorns, whose robe a cast-off cloak, and whose status a prisoner would change their attitude. If so, he was speedily disillusioned.