John Calvin Commentary Luke 23:11

"And Herod with his soldiers set him at nought, and mocked him, and arraying him in gorgeous apparel sent him back to Pilate." — Luke 23:11 (ASV)

And Herod despised him. It was inevitable that a haughty man, who valued himself on his luxuries, royal dignity, and wealth, would despise Christ, who at that time had nothing but what was contemptible in his appearance.

And yet the pride of Herod, which shut the door on the grace of God, admits of no excuse. Nor can it be doubted that God, in order to punish him for his former indifference, purposely hardened his heart by such a spectacle. For he was unworthy of beholding in Christ any ray of heavenly glory, since he had so long shut his eyes on the full brightness by which his whole country had been illuminated and adorned.

Herod, with his attendants. Luke relates not only that Christ was despised by Herod, but that he was despised by Herod's entire retinue. This is intended to inform us that the honor due to God is seldom rendered to him in the courts of kings.

For almost all courtiers, being addicted to pompous display, have their senses preoccupied by such great vanity that they carelessly despise, or pass by with closed eyes, the spiritual favors of God.

But by this contempt of Christ we have acquired new dignity, so that we are now held in estimation by God and by angels.