What was the colour of the robe placed on Jesus?

When it comes to Jesus’ crucifixion, the shed blood and the detailed treatment He received symbolize the deeper narrative of sacrifice and redemption in countless traditions. Putting a royal color garment, like purple, on Jesus was no accident. Purple has long been associated with royalty and wealth—usually reserved for kings and emperors. In ancient times, it was so precious that only the very rich could afford it; made from the rare murex shell, it took a significant amount of effort to produce even a tiny quantity.

In the context of Jesus being mocked as “King of the Jews” by the Roman soldiers during His trial, draping Him in purple served as a twisted jest, shining a poignant light on the nature of power and perception. Interestingly, if you look at ancient literature, there's again this echoes of royalty being acknowledged at a time of mockery—think of Joe in his colorful coat or even David dancing before the Ark of the Covenant.

The confusion over the robe's color between Matthew and John points to the idea that different perspectives can illuminate different truths about the same event. In this regard, it invites readers to once again engage with the richness of the text—asking what they signify in their lives today. It’s a beautiful reminder that, sometimes, our perception of whether we’re “royal” or “lowly” can change, much like the shifting colors in the fabric of one’s life.