Hail King of the Jews - John 19:3

John the apostle wrote how, “Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, ...”, and in chapter nineteen and verse three of his book John shared how the soldiers said, “Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands” where we read:

And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

The verse reads, “And said, Hail, King of the Jews!” John began with the words, “and said” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “Hail” or “rejoice exceedingly, be glad, thrive and God speed”, “King of the Jews” which means “leader, prince, commander and lord who belongs to the people of the Jewish nation by birth, origin or religion”. John shared how the Roman “soldiers” began to taunt and mock Jesus with their words as they told Him to “rejoice exceedingly” because He was the “leader and commander” of the Jewish people.

The verse continues, “and they smote him with their hands.” John added the words, “and they smote him” or “and the Roman soldiers slapped and struck him, Jesus” “with their hands” which means “by using their physical hands”. John shared how the Roman “soldiers” began to “slap” Jesus with their hands in mockery and shame.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn about more of the physical and mental torture Jesus endured by the mouths and hands of the Roman “soldiers”. They “mocked” Him with the mouths He had made, and they used the “physical hands” He had created to “slap” Him across His face. The “Creation” of God, human beings, were essentially “mocking” and “slapping” their Creator, and this was done so the “Creator”, Jesus, could be sacrificed for their sins. Jesus endured these things on behalf of the human race, and without a sacrifice for their sins, everyone would be eternally separated from God. Those who carefully examine what Jesus endured for their salvation should submit themselves to Him so they may be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Otherwise they exist as the “Roman soldiers” who “mocked” Him and “slapped” Him with their hands.

Next time John shares how Pilate again says, “I find no fault in him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".