- Dr. Tom Hover
- August 2, 2026
- THE CROWN OF THORNS: MOCKERY WITH MESSAGE!
- Matthew 27:26-31
THE CROWN OF THORNS: MOCKERY WITH MESSAGE! Matthew 27:26-31
INTRODUCTION: “WHEN MOCKERY MAKES A MESSAGE”
If you’ve ever been mocked, misunderstood, or mistreated, you’re in good company - Jesus was mocked professionally. The Romans didn’t just tease; they held a full-scale comedy show at Calvary. They didn’t roast Him; they crowned Him. They didn’t insult Him; they illustrated Him. Mockery stings. But Jesus didn’t just feel mockery - He fulfilled it. In Matthew 27:26-31, the soldiers thought they were staging a joke. But God was staging a judgment. They thought they were performing a mock coronation. But God was performing a messianic revelation. They thought they were humiliating a man. But God was unveiling a Messiah. Today, we walk into the Roman barracks - into the cruelty, the sarcasm, the spectacle - and discover that every insult carried an insight, every mockery carried a message, and every thorn carried a truth.
I. THE MOCKERY OF MEN: “THE RIDICULE THAT REVEALED REALITY” Matthew 27:26-27
A. The Scourging That Seemed Senseless Matthew 27:26
“scourged Jesus”, Isaiah 53:5 declares, “By His stripes we are healed.”
Their mockery became our medicine.
B. The Soldiers That Staged the Spectacle Matthew 27:27 “whole band of soldiers.” A “band” - Greek σπε ρα (speira) - 400–600 soldiers. These weren’t a few bullies; it was a battalion. They gathered to laugh - but God gathered them to fulfill prophecy: Psalm 22:16
C. The Sinful Crowd That Celebrated Cruelty Psalm 22:16
The crowd didn’t just watch - they celebrated. Mockery is contagious. Sin loves a spectacle.
II. THE MOCK ROBE AND REGALIA: “THE COSTUME THAT CONCEALED A KING” Matthew 27:28-29
A. The Scarlet Robe of Sarcasm Matthew 27:28
Scarlet - the color represents sin, sacrifice and redemption: Isaiah 1:18
They thought it was a joke. God thought it was a symbol.
B. The Crown of Thorns That Carried Truth Matthew 27:29
1.) What Are Thorns? Thorns are a part of the curse put on mankind and the earth because of sin. Genesis 3:17-18 Before the curse, there were no thorns.
2.) Thorns And Thistles Are The Direct Result Of the Fall Of Man And God’s Judgment Upon Man. John 16:33, I Peter 4:12
3.) Thorns Are A Picture Of Sin And Of The Curse. Galatians 3:13
4.) The Weaving Of The Crown Of Thorns Was A Collected Work.
Matthew 27:29 The word “they.” It is in this verse three times.
5.) We All Had A Part In Weaving The Crown Of Thorns. Isaiah 53:5
6.) An Instrument Of Physical Torture, Mental Torture, Spiritual Torture
Isaiah 52:14, Proverbs 14:9
7.) Why Was the Lord Jesus Christ Crowned With Thorns?
Answer: JESUS WORE THE CROWN BECAUSE JESUS BORE THE CURSE. Example: Genesis 22:2, 5, 7-8, 9-11, 12-13 The Bible says the “Ram was caught in a thicket by his horns” Genesis 22:13. Abraham’s offering was crowned with thorns on its head, and so was Jesus crowned with thorns on His head.
8.) Jesus Was the perfect sacrifice - The Sinless One II Corinthians 5:21
9.) Isaac Laid His Life Down Willingly, And So Did Jesus. John 10:18
10.) Jesus Said Abraham Rejoiced To See His Day. John 8:56
11.) The Gospel was Preached To Abraham. Galatians 3:8
12.) Abraham Also Saw A Picture Of The Resurrection Of Jesus Christ Hebrews 11:17-19 13.) It Is A Crown Of Victory
14.) It Is A Crown Of Beauty
15.) It Is A Crown Of Prophecy I Timothy 6:15, Isaiah 55:13
C. The Reed of Ridicule That Revealed Royalty Matthew 27:29
III. THE MOCK BOWING AND BLESSING: “THE WORSHIP THAT WASN’T BUT WILL BE” Matthew 27:29
A. The Hail of Hypocrisy Matthew 27:29 “Hail, King of the Jews!” Their words were sarcastic - but accurate. Even hypocrites sometimes preach truth.
B. The Knees That Bent in Jest Matthew 27:29 “and they bowed the knee before Him”, Philippians 2:10-11 They bowed in mockery. One day they will bow in majesty.
C. The King They Mocked but Must Meet Revelation 1:7
They mocked Him face to face. One day they will meet Him face to fire.
IV. THE MOCK BEATING THAT BROUGHT BREAKTHROUGH
Matthew 27:30
A. The Spit That Displayed Depravity Matthew 27:30 Spitting was the ultimate insult in Jewish culture.
B. The Smacks That Sealed the Sacrifice Isaiah 50:6C. The Stripes That Saved the Sinner I Peter 2:24
V. THE MOCK MARCH TO THE MESSIAH’S MISSION: “THE CRUELTY THAT CARRIED OUT GOD’S PLAN” Matthew 27:31
A. The Stripping That Symbolized Substitution Matthew 27:31
B. The Sending That Showed Sovereignty Matthew 27:31, Isaiah 53:10
C. The Skull Place That Spoke Salvation John 19:17
CONCLUSION: Come to the King they mocked - the King who turned mockery into mercy, sarcasm into salvation, and thorns into triumph.
