The answer is: Purple

John 19:2

In John 19:2, we see a striking moment where Pilate's soldiers dress Jesus in a purple robe—an act filled with irony and symbolism. Purple was the color of royalty in antiquity, a hue reserved for emperors and the elite. This was not merely an act of mockery, though it's often depicted that way, showcasing the soldiers' scorn toward Jesus—the one they were about to crucify perceivably as a so-called "King of the Jews." The paradox here is palpable; the world recognized Jesus paradoxically as nothing more than a criminal, whereas the very act of donning him in purple acknowledged his kingly status, albeit in the most derisive manner.

Interestingly, the ancient roots of the dye used to create purple, sourced from the Murex seashell, made it astonishingly expensive. Only wealthy individuals could afford to wear such attire. Although the soldiers did so in mockery, it eerily reflected Jesus' spiritual significance, as he claimed a kingship not defined by earthly riches or power.

When considering this striking robe, it also echoes back to other Biblical texts highlighting loyalty and royalty. For instance, the prophet Nathan, in 2 Samuel, tells how God chose David, an insignificant shepherd, to be king, a divine reversal that set the stage for the ultimate King—a not-so-ordinary servant fittingly detailed at the feet of his ridicule-wearers.

All of this leads us to ponder the narratives of follies in our own lives; trials may present which often precede honor. Who ever knew that mockery could serve as a brilliant telling point in a much larger story of redemption?