“And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.”
(Luke 23:11)
To better understand everything that happened between the time of Christ’s arrest in the Garden and His sentence of death pronounced by Pilate in the palace, it is important to keep in mind the sequence of events that occurred.
At the time of His arrest, Jesus was brought first to Annas, the high priest (John 18:13). He was then taken to the Sanhedrin (the ancient Jewish court) later that evening where He was questioned by Caiaphas, the high priest who presided over the Sanhedrin. There He was beaten, blindfolded, and struck on the face (Matthew 26:57–68). At dawn, the council of chief priests and elders made the decision to put Him to death (Matthew 27:1), so they bound Jesus and led Him away to Pilate because they were not allowed by Jewish law to sentence someone to death. Once Pilate questioned him and discovered that He was from Galilee, he ordered that Jesus be taken to Herod, the king over Judea at the time (Luke 23:7).
Herod’s abuse of Christ is not much different from Pilate’s, though initially Herod was hoping Jesus would perform some miracles in his presence. However, his expectation of seeing wonders from Him was frustrated by Christ’s strange and sullen silence (Luke 23:8). Enraged and furious at his unfulfilled request, he made sure Christ suffered the full extent of shame that a king could inflict. Mocking his innocence, Herod had his soldiers put a gorgeous white robe on Jesus, and then proceeded to further taunt, ridicule, and beat Him. The white robe Herod used is an emblem of His spotless innocence, and the scarlet robe Pilate’s soldiers covered Him with represented His passion. The first depicted His life, the second His death. In Isaiah’s prophecy of this event, the question is asked how His garment became so red. And the answer comes back, “I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment” (Isaiah 63:2-3).
This prophetic passage speaks of the winepress of His Father’s wrath and His enemy’s malice, and so it is no wonder that Christ’s robe was soaked red with His own blood flowing from the winepress of God’s wrath for sin (Revelation 14:20). And yet, as Paul so well stated in Romans 8:37, we know triumph over sin and death as “more than conquerors” because of this gorgeous robe, though stained with blood, beautified by the work of the Messiah on behalf of sinners.[1]
The robe of the mediator symbolizes the profound mystery of Christ’s dual nature and His redemptive mission. As the spotless Lamb of God, His innocence is portrayed in the white robe, signifying purity and sinlessness in the face of unjust accusation and mockery. This garment, placed upon Him by Herod’s soldiers, is a stark contrast to the cruelty inflicted, highlighting the divine patience and humility of the Son of God who endured such indignities without retaliation.
The transition to the scarlet robe under Pilate’s command further deepens the symbolism, representing the blood He would shed in His passion. This color evokes the imagery of sacrifice, the lifeblood poured out for the remission of sins. The prophets foretold of this suffering servant who would be wounded for transgressions and bruised for iniquities, bearing the chastisement that brings peace (Isaiah 53:5).
In the act of arraying Him in these robes, the mockers unwittingly fulfilled scriptural prophecies, turning their derision into a testimony of divine truth. Christ’s silence before Herod echoes the lamb led to slaughter, opening not his mouth (Isaiah 53:7), a profound display of submission to the Father’s will.
The sequence of events from Annas to Caiaphas, then to the full Sanhedrin, Pilate, and Herod, illustrates the escalating humiliation designed to break the spirit of any ordinary man. Yet, in Christ, it reveals the steadfast resolve of the eternal Son, who knew the joy set before him and endured the cross, despising the shame (Hebrews 12:2). The gorgeous robe, intended as ridicule, becomes an emblem of His kingly authority, for He is the King of kings, whose reign is established through suffering and sacrifice.
In contemplating these robes, the white of innocence and the scarlet of passion, believers are reminded of the cost of redemption, the innocence that bore guilt, and the blood that cleanses from all sin. And the story of Christ’s passion from arrest to trial weaves a glorious tapestry of divine sovereignty, where human malice serves to fulfill eternal purposes, culminating in the resurrection that vindicated Christ as one with the Eternal God.
Contemplations
- Life’s battles and heavenly robe. Life on earth is a warfare, Lord, and with every battle my garments become more blood-stained. But let me not forget that You have a beautiful white robe waiting for me when You call me home to heaven (Revelation 6:11, 7:9, 13). This robe of Your righteousness that I will wear then signifies the life of everlasting peace and glory I am blessed to share with You throughout eternity. Help me be more willing to endure earthly trials as I fix my eyes on that prize.
- Stripped of self-coverings. Lord, strip me of my own handmade covering of fig leaves, that apparel of pride, soft raiment of luxury, that garment of halting indifference, and the cloak of hypocrisy studded with my own merits. Rather clothe me with the Sun of Your righteousness (Malachi 4:2) for this is the only garment that matters, the only one that will never fade. Forgive me for ever relying on self-efforts and reclothe me in Your merit alone.
- Emblem of innocence. The white robe Herod placed on You, Lord, mocked Your spotless innocence, but it also represented Your purity amid cruelty. I am stained by sin, yet You offer me the same purity through Your blood. Help me live in that purity, reflecting Your holiness in a mocking world, enduring taunts as You did in silence.
- Scarlet of passion. The scarlet robe signified Your blood-soaked passion, Lord, treading the winepress alone (Isaiah 63:2-3). My sins contributed to that staining; forgive my part in Your suffering. Clothe me in that redemptive covering, that I may triumph as more than conqueror (Romans 8:37), beautified by Your mediatorial work.
Prayer (supplication)
O sovereign God, You are the eternal Father who ordained the humiliation of Your Son for the salvation of sinners. I come before You, a weak and unworthy servant, pleading for Your grace to clothe me in the righteousness of Christ. Luke 23:11 recounts Herod’s mockery, arraying Jesus in a gorgeous robe; awaken my heart to the depth of His suffering on my behalf.
I beg You, Lord, strip away my self-made garments of pride and hypocrisy as Christ was stripped before His accusers. My fig leaves of self-righteousness cover nothing before Your holy eyes; so forgive my attempts to be so foolish. Clothe me instead with the spotless robe of Your Son’s innocence, that white emblem of purity amid derision and let me wear it daily, that I may reflect His holiness in a world that mocks Your truth.
Father, the scarlet robe Pilate’s soldiers placed on Him symbolized the blood He would shed, treading the winepress alone (Isaiah 63:2-3). I confess my sins stained that raiment; my transgressions pierced His side. Cleanse me in that crimson flow, making me white as snow. Grant me triumph as more than conqueror through Him who loved me (Romans 8:37), beautified by the mediator’s work.
I plead for understanding of the sequence: from Annas to Caiaphas, Sanhedrin to Pilate, then Herod’s abuse. Help me trace Your sovereign hand in every step, fulfilling prophecy. As Christ endured beating, blindfolding, striking (Matthew 26:57-68), strengthen me in trials, that I bear reproach for Your name without faltering.
Lord, Herod sought miracles yet received silence (Luke 23:8). Forgive my demands for signs when faith suffices. His enraged taunts and robe of shame highlight Christ’s humility; mold me in His image so that I am also patient under insult. The gorgeous white robe mocked His innocence; let it remind me of the purity You bestow freely.
The transition to scarlet under Pilate represented the blood of His passion. I ask for grace to both see and embrace the cost of His cross. And just as enemies fulfilled Your plan, turn my adversities to good.
I pray for daily renewal: remove luxury’s soft raiment, indifference’s halting garment, my merit-studded cloak. Array me in the Sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2), rising with healing. In my weakness let Your strength be perfected, and in my shame may Your glory shine.
Protect me from worldly enticements that strip my spiritual covering. As Christ carried wounds from the palace, help me bear sorrow’s thorns for Your sake. Grant me perseverance by keeping my eyes fixed on the heavenly robe awaiting me (Revelation 6:11, 7:9, 13).
And in every battle, remind me that victory is already secured. As blood sprinkled garments in the winepress (Revelation 14:20), let the satisfaction of Your wrath assure my peace for I depend wholly on Your Spirit for this transformation.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture references for Luke 23:11
Matthew 27:28, Mark 15:17, Luke 13:31, Psalm 22:6.
[1] In all these things, he says, we are more than conquerors (What does that mean? Even triumphers.) through him who has loved us. For God makes us always to triumph through Christ. The very cross of Christ, says one, was Christ’s chariot of triumph. And the very same is the cross even to this day to all Christians.” Thomas Gataker, The Christian Mans Care (London: Iohn Haviland, for Fulke Clifton, and are to be sold at his shop upon new Fishstreet Hill, 1624), 15.
