Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 15:19

"And they smote his head with a reed, and spat upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him." — Mark 15:19 (ASV)

The mocking was followed by further physical violence. The blows hitting his head from the staff drove the thorns more deeply into Jesus’ scalp and caused even more profuse bleeding. They also kept spitting on him, and the climax came when they mockingly fell on their knees and paid homage to him. It is difficult to imagine a greater demonstration of insensitivity and cruelty.