The answer is: Purple

John 19:2

In John 19:2, we see Pilate's soldiers draping Jesus in a purple robe, an action filled with deep irony and prophetic significance. Purple was the color of royalty, often reserved for the rich and powerful in ancient times. By putting this royal color on Jesus, the soldiers mocked Him because even in their derision, they affirmed His kingship.

Interesting tidbit: purple dye in the ancient world was notoriously difficult and expensive to produce, making garments dyed in this hue a luxury for the elite. The dye came from a particular type of shellfish, the murex, and symbolized wealth, power, and royalty – quite a clash given the context that Jesus, hailing from Galilee, came from humble beginnings, not a palace.

This scene also echoes Isaiah 53's portrayal of the suffering servant – a character initially honored in exaltation but ultimately brought low: "He was despised and rejected by men." The robe, meant to belittle, became a parallel of that destiny, where the suffering Messiah was mocked as a "king."

Furthermore, the use of purple resonates with other biblical references, where royalty meets humility. Think of the Queen of Sheba visiting King Solomon, wrapped in her royal garb, seeking wisdom. Yet now, here is Jesus, the embodiment of wisdom, being misrecognised, garbed in that very color of kingship while facing ridicule at the hands of men. How often do we overlook the majesty hidden within acts of humility?