Matthew Henry Commentary Mark 15:15-21

"And Pilate, wishing to content the multitude, released unto them Barabbas, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. And the soldiers led him away within the court, which is the Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. And they clothe him with purple, and platting a crown of thorns, they put it on him; and they began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote his head with a reed, and spat upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took off from him the purple, and put on him his garments. And they lead him out to crucify him. And they compel one passing by, Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go [with them], that he might bear his cross." — Mark 15:15-21 (ASV)

Christ met death in its greatest terror. It was the death reserved for the most vile criminals. Therefore, the cross and the shame are linked. God having been dishonored by human sin, Christ made satisfaction by submitting to the greatest disgrace with which human nature could be burdened. It was a cursed death; so it was branded by the Jewish law (Deuteronomy 21:23). The Roman soldiers mocked our Lord Jesus as a King; similarly, in the high priest's hall, the servants had mocked him as a Prophet and Savior.

Should a purple or scarlet robe be a source of pride to a Christian, when it was a source of reproach and shame to Christ? He wore the crown of thorns that we deserved, so that we might wear the crown of glory that he merited. Through sin, we were liable to everlasting shame and contempt; to deliver us, our Lord Jesus submitted to shame and contempt. He was led out with evildoers, though he committed no sin.

The sufferings of the meek and holy Redeemer are always a source of instruction to the believer—instruction that, in his best moments, he cannot grow weary of. Did Jesus suffer in this way, and should I, a vile sinner, fret or complain? Should I indulge anger, or utter reproaches and threats because of troubles and injuries?