“And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.”
(Matthew 27:28)
After religious leaders exhausted the extent of their “authority” to render persecution, they delivered Christ to Pilate, where He suffered further torment from Roman soldiers. This second phase of torture fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy: “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). After being beaten, ridiculed, and spat upon, He was stripped and clad in a scarlet robe.
Soldiers fashioned Him as “King of the Jews” … they plaited a crown out of thorns, gave Him a reed scepter for a king’s staff, and dressed Him in a scarlet robe to symbolize purple regality. They then knelt before Him and hailed Him as king, completing their display of mockery and sport (Matthew 27:29-30). Then using the reed staff, they repeatedly hit Him over the head, driving the thorns deeper into His brow and scalp.
The Creator who clothed lilies beyond Solomon’s splendor (Luke 12:27) stood stripped before His mockers. The hem of His garment healed the hemorrhaging woman (Matthew 9:20-22) and His shoes John deemed himself unworthy to untie (John 1:27). Yet, He bore unprecedented humiliation for our redemption.
God’s sovereignty orchestrated each event and every moment of Christ’s passion, and the Father simply used the malice and hatred of His enemies to fulfill His divine plan of redemption. As a result, Christ’s suffering was sufficient to fully atone for the sins of the world, securing justification for those who put their faith in Him.
Because He bore the shame of the scarlet robe, believers are adorned with the righteousness of Christ even now … and will be for all eternity. “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10).
“Indeed, where would we be without justification by faith alone? We, of course, would be lost in utter darkness. Instead, we receive the riches of God’s mercy in Christ, His imputed righteousness, by faith alone!”[1]
Contemplations
- Clothed in shame. You, Lord, clothe the lilies of the field (Luke 12:27), yet You stood stripped before Your mockers. Cover the nakedness of my sin with Your righteousness, Lord, that I may rejoice in the beauty and glory of salvation’s garments (Isaiah 61:10).
- Mocked as king. Soldiers robed You in scarlet, made a crown of thorns for Your head, and put a reed scepter in Your hand (Matthew 27:29-30). What You suffered for my sake grieves me, and yet my own heart mocks Your kingship through disobedience. Forgive my rebellion, Lord, and guide me to worship You fully as my Lord and eternal King.
- Bearing my wounds. You suffered such torment for my sake—Your back was scourged with unmerciful whips, Your brow was beaten and pierced with thorns, Your bruised and bleeding body bore the marks of my sin. And still I wound You by continued sin, despising Your grief (Isaiah 53:3). Cleanse me, Lord; let Your suffering humble me to repentance.
- Robe of righteousness. Your passion’s scarlet robe provides my robe of salvation and covering of righteousness. Strip me of my self-righteous rags and clothe me in Your merit, Lord, that I may be welcomed into heaven’s feast (Matthew 22:11-12).
Prayer (confession)
O holy God, You are the King eternal, robed in majesty and light. I come before You, a sinner stained by shame, confessing my unworthiness. Matthew 27:28 tells us that Christ was stripped and then robed in scarlet to complete the mockery. I grieve my part in His humiliation. Forgive me for despising Your Son through sin, and by sinning echoing the soldiers’ scorn.
I acknowledge my nakedness, like Adam after his fall (Genesis 3:7) whom God clothed with fig leaves to hide his shame. You clothe lilies splendidly (Luke 12:27), yet Your Son stood exposed. I confess that my filthy rags of self-righteousness (Isaiah 64:6) are wholly unfit for Your presence. Cleanse me from even the thought of such arrogance.
Christ wore a crown of thorns, held a reed for a scepter, and wore scarlet for purple (Matthew 27:29-30), fulfilling Isaiah 53:3 who prophesied that He would be despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows. And yet my own heart mocks His kingship when I prioritize worldly crowns. I repent of my rebellion in those times when I bow my knees while enthroning self in my heart. Break down my idols, Lord, that I may worship You alone.
His back was scourged, His brow pierced, and His body bruised, but these same wounds I still inflict through continued transgression. Forgive my indifference to Your suffering, treating lightly Your precious blood that covers my sin, and stir in me a godly grief leading to repentance.
Your mercy provides a robe of righteousness that covers my sin (Isaiah 61:10), allowing me to rejoice in such great salvation. Clothe me anew, Lord, to ensure that my wedding garment fits (Matthew 22:11-12). Wash me in Your blood, that I may be white as snow (Isaiah 1:18).
Renew my spirit, Father, that I may glorify You. I know that confession brings healing (James 5:16), so I ask You to heal these wounds that are self-inflicted. Draw near in mercy, for I plead Your forgiveness, desiring to be clothed in the purity and righteousness of Christ.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture references for Matthew 27:28
John 19:2, Luke 23:11, 36, Mark 15:17.
[1] J. V. Fesko, Romans, ed. Joel R. Beeke and Jon D. Payne, The Lectio Continua Expository Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2018), 98.
