What colour robe did Pilate's soldiers put on Jesus?

In John 19:2, we find that Pilate’s soldiers dressed Jesus in a crown of thorns and a purple robe—a hue closely associated with royalty and power in the ancient world. This wasn’t just a creative fashion choice. In the Roman Empire, purple dye was rare and expensive, extracted from shellfish and reserved for the elite. When these soldiers adorned Jesus with a royal color, it was both a mockery of His claim as the King of the Jews and a profound irony that underscores the story's deeper significance.

What’s particularly fascinating is how deeply this moment echoes the themes that run throughout John's Gospel. Already, throughout scripture, purple is linked to God’s choices in leadership and anointing. For instance, King Solomon was clad in robes of purple. This contrasts sharply with the soldiers' scorn; while they dressed Him “like” royalty, he stood before them wrongfully accused, the very anticipation of a true sovereign.

Also, thinking about crown imagery, we remember that prophetic traditions spoke of a coming Messiah. In Revelation, for example, Christ is depicted with “many crowns” (Revelation 19:12), suggesting much more than earthly ceremony. His true kingship transcends human politics or mockery, reaching towards the divine purpose behind His suffering and sacrifice.

So, the purple robe, an emblem of parody, actually heralds a deeper truth about His sovereign nature and the transformation He brings into history. It turns mockery into a deeper narrative—a subtle painting of hope amongst despair.