Bible Strands
Mark 15:18
And they began to salute Him: “Hail, King of the Jews!”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The soldiers address Jesus directly after draping Him in a purple robe and placing a twisted crown of thorns on His head. They speak at the moment of His crucifixion preparation, immediately before striking Him and spitting on Him.
The words — The verb ἀσπάζεσθαι (aspazesthai) means to salute or greet, paired with χαῖρε (chaire), literally “Hail” or “Rejoice.” Together they frame a formal, ironic greeting directed at a condemned prisoner.
The thread — The title “King of the Jews” echoes the ridicule of Joseph’s claimed authority in Genesis 37:10 and 37:20, where his brothers mock his dreams. It parallels the taunt in Matthew 27:42 that challenges Jesus to prove His kingship by descending from the cross.
Why it lands — The text records a public mockery that places a royal title on a man subjected to execution gear and violence. It requires the reader to observe how human derision is directed at the exact figure the narrative identifies as the crucified king.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!
Cross-references
- Matthew 27:42 “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him.
- Genesis 37:10 He told his father and brothers, but his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream that you have had? Will your mother and brothers and I actually come and bow down to the ground before you?”
- Genesis 37:20 “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams!”
- Mark 15:2 So Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.
- Mark 15:29 And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days,
- Luke 23:36 The soldiers also mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine.
- John 19:14 It was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about the sixth hour. And Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your King!”