Jesus had a crown of thorns on his head when he was crucified. The crown of thorns is the traditional symbol of Jesus’s crucifixion and is believed to have been used during his time by the Romans as a sign of resistance against Pilate’s authority.
What Did Jesus Wear On His Head When He Was Crucified
The crown of thorns is an ancient concept, however it wasn’t until the Renaissance period that Christians paid more attention to the story and depicted Jesus as wearing it. The Bible itself doesn’t state how many thorny stems there were in the crown, but it is believed that they could have been anywhere from 9 to 30.
Tucked away in the story of Jesus’ bloody trail to the cross is that the soldiers who beat him wrapped him in a purple robe and placed a crown of thorns upon his head. They gave Jesus a crown of thorns to mock him because Jesus spoke openly to Pilate that he was a king, but his kingdom was not of this world (see John 18:36). The soldiers meant to mock Jesus by placing a crown of thorns on his head, but perhaps there is more to the significance of the crown of thorns.
There was nothing standard or routine about Jesus’ arrest and being sentenced to die by crucifixion. He was an innocent man whom Pilate found no charge against (see John 19:6). But Jesus was sentenced to death because that was the reason he came to earth; so that he could save the world and make salvation possible for all peoples and nations.
Symbolism and Meaning of Jesus’ Crown of Thorns
Placing the crown of thorns on Jesus’ head would not have been a normal part of crucifixion during this time. Crucifixion was used by the Romans as a punishment. In the documentation of Jesus’ crucifixion, found within the Gospels, a crown of thorns was placed on his head by the soldiers.
Jesus had told Pilate that his kingdom was not of this world. The soldiers draped a purple robe around Jesus, put a crown of thorns on his head and shouted, “Hail, King of the Jews” (see John 19:2-3). They did this to make a mockery of Jesus and belittle him. The crown of thorns symbolized the royalty and majesty of a king and was used as part of their futile attempts to humiliate him. They did not realize that Jesus was offering up his own life in accordance with the will of his Father to save the world.
Scriptures Mentioning the Crown of Thorns
Before Jesus was sentenced to be crucified, Pilate had him beaten and whipped. Three of the four Gospels mention specifically that Jesus had a crown of thorns put on his head by the Roman soldiers after they beat him. It is common for details to vary across the four Gospels. Together, the four Gospels give a detailed presentation of Jesus’ ministry and life.
Matthew 27:29 – “And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’”
Mark 15:17 – “They dressed Him up in purple, and after twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on Him.”
John 19:2 – “And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head and put a purple robe on Him.”
The accounts of this happening in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John are intense. One can only imagine the pain and suffering Jesus endured. The crown of thorns that was being used as a way to hurt and mock Jesus and his claims of being a king has instead become a powerful reminder of exactly who Jesus is and what he went through to save the world.
Why Was Jesus Humiliated before His Death?
The soldiers mocked Jesus and attempted to humiliate him as part of the crucifixion process. Jesus had stated he was a king, and they used that statement against him to ridicule and shame him. The soldiers slapped him and made jokes of his claims of kingship.
Their pride, their hatred, or whatever it may have been, kept the soldiers from recognizing who Jesus really was. For Jesus died even to cover the soldiers’ sins. This is the great love that Jesus has shown for the entire world.
Where Else Do We See Thorns in the Bible?
References to thorns are throughout the Bible, found in the Old and New Testaments. These references affirm the negative connotation of the word and the desolation associated with thorns.
Numbers 33:55 – “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall come about that those whom you let remain of them will become as pricks in your eyes and as thorns in your sides, and they will trouble you in the land in which you live.”
Hosea 9:6 – “For behold, they will go because of destruction; Egypt will gather them up, Memphis will bury them. Weeds will take over their treasures of silver; thorns will be in their tents.”
Matthew 7:16 – “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?”
Hebrews 6:7-8 – “For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.”
These are just a sampling of verses that reference thorns throughout the Bible, but perhaps most noteworthy is the use of the word thorns in Genesis when God spoke of the curse following the sin of Adam and Eve.
Genesis 3:17-18 – “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you.”
The consequences Adam and Eve suffered because of their sinful choice included the ground yielding thorns and thistles. The Romans soldiers used a crown of thorns, part of the original curse, and placed it on the head of Jesus who would offer atonement, salvation, and hope for the entire world. Truly, this was a powerful symbol of the sin and death that Jesus was about to deliver the world from through his death and resurrection.
What Does the Crown of Thorns Teach Us about Who Jesus Is?
Thorns are associated with curses, death and dying, pain and sorrow, and sin. The Roman soldiers placed a crown of thorns on the head of the one who would take on all sin, and pain, and deliver the world from death. What the soldiers meant as a mockery of Jesus’ claims to being a king, instead demonstrated exactly who Jesus is.
Jesus is the King of kings. He alone is the Savior of the world. He took on the shame, sorrows, and sins of the world to save us and redeem us. Jesus willingly stood in our place, was nailed to the cross in our place, and paid our debt by offering up his life according to the will of the Father. What we learn from the crown of thorns is that Jesus’ love for humanity has no bounds, even willing to take on desolation because he loves us and made a way for our redemption.
A Love Unlike Any Other
Jesus’ crucifixion was horrific. He endured unthinkable pain, was beaten brutally, and died on our behalf. When we consider all that Jesus went through, it becomes clear that the depth and breadth of his love is staggering. Truly, Jesus’ love is unlike any other love we will experience.
The crown of thorns placed on Jesus’ head should have been what we suffered, but Jesus took our place. Only he was worthy, and only he could serve as the unblemished lamb sent to die a death that would redeem the world. Though the crown of thorns was intended to mock and embarrass Jesus, it was actually a radical symbol of who Jesus is as both Savior and King.
The Old Testament book of Psalms constituted the hymnal of the Jewish nation, containing a collection of 150 songs, laments, and praises by various authors. Since the Old Testament canon was very likely completed no later than 400 B.C. (Leupold, 1969, p. 8; cf. Archer, 1974, p. 440), and since the Septuagint is known to have been produced circa 250 B.C., the pronouncements in the Psalms predated the arrival of Jesus on the planet by centuries. Yet, within the sacred pages of the Psalms, scores of very detailed allusions pinpoint specific incidents that occurred in the life of Christ on Earth. These allusions constitute proof positive of the inspiration of the Bible.
For example, composed by David in the 10th century B.C. (Barnes, 1847, pp. 193ff.), Psalm 22 is unquestionably a messianic psalm—literally packed with minute details that forecast the death of the Messiah. In verse 18, the psalmist quotes Him as making the simple statement: “They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.” All four of the inspired New Testament evangelists of the first century A.D. allude to these incidental details that they report in connection with Jesus hanging on the cross (Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:23-24).
While commentators typically report that Roman law awarded the victim’s clothes as spoils for the Roman executioners (e.g., Erdman, 1922, p.161; McGarvey, n.d., p. 725), others question the historicity of such a claim (e.g., Edersheim, 1915, 2:591-592). In any case, the soldiers that attended the cross consisted of a quaternion—four soldiers (Davis, 1870, 3:2651). Matthew and Luke state very simply that these soldiers divided His clothes and cast lots for them, with Luke adding “to determine what every man should take.” These “garments” (merei) likely included a head-dress, sandals, girdle, and outer garment (Robertson, 1916, p. 147). Apparently, according to John 19:23, the soldiers were able to decide ownership of these four clothing articles without gambling. If they were able to agree on consignment of the four articles—one clothes item for each soldier—why did they also cast lots? It is John who provides the added clarification:
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things (John 19:23-24).
The tunic was indivisible and unique from the other clothes, and very likely more valuable. It stood alone as seamless and would need to be awarded to a single soldier only, rather than being ripped into four pieces. Hence, they agreed to gamble in order to decide ownership of the tunic.
Observe carefully that these four unnamed Roman military men, who just happened to be assigned crucifixion duty that day, and just happened to have charge of the condemned Jesus of Nazareth (who happened that day to wear a seamless tunic), were operating solely out of their own impulses. They were not Jews. They undoubtedly had no familiarity whatsoever with Jewish Scripture. They were not controlled by any external source. No unseen or mysterious force took charge of their minds, no disciple whispered in their ears to cause them to robotically or artificially fulfill a prophecy. Yet, with uncanny precision, words written by King David a millennium earlier came to stunning fruition—words that on the surface might seem to contradict each other: the clothes were to be divided into separate parts, yet lots would be cast over the clothes. Roman soldiers unwittingly fulfilled the predictions of ancient Scripture in what to them were no more than mere casual, insignificant actions associated with the execution of their military duty, in tandem with their covetous desire to profit from their victim by acquiring His material goods.
But that’s not all. The layers of complexity and sophistication of the doctrine of inspiration, like the layers of an onion, can be peeled back to reveal additional marvels. John informs us that the item of clothing, which necessitated the Roman soldiers need to resort to gambling to decide ownership, was “without seam, woven from the top in one piece.” Why mention this piece of minutia? What significance could possibly be associated with such a seemingly trivial detail? To gain insight into a possible explanation, one must dig deeper into Bible teaching. Since the Bible was authored by Deity, it naturally possesses a depth uncharacteristic of human writers. It reflects indication that its Author was unhampered by the passing of time or the inability to foresee or orchestrate future events. Such qualities are commensurate with the nature of divinity.
In 1500 B.C., God imparted the Law of Moses to the Israelites as the covenant requirements that would guide the nation of Israel through its national existence. This law included provision for the High Priest, the first being Aaron, the brother of Moses, commissioned by God Himself (Exodus 28). On the Day of Atonement (yom kippur), he alone entered the Holy of Holies within the Tabernacle/Temple to make atonement for himself and all the people (Leviticus 16). Bible typology—another bona fide proof of Bible inspiration—portrays Jesus as our High Priest (Hebrews 3:1; 4:14; 9:11; et al.). Very uniquely and critically, Jesus performs for Christians parallel functions to the High Priest that absolutely must be performed if we are to be permitted to be saved to live eternally with Deity in heaven.
Among the articles of clothing stipulated by God for the High Priest was the skillfully woven “tunic of fine linen thread” (Exodus 28:39). According to Josephus, this clothing item was seamless:
Now this vesture was not composed of two pieces, nor was it sewed together upon the shoulders and the sides, but it was one long vestment so woven as to have an aperture for the neck; not an oblique one, but parted all along the breast and the back (3.7.4:203).
Coincidental? Perhaps. Nevertheless, John went out of his way to flag the point. And the Roman soldiers gambled for the seamless tunic of the Messiah—a tunic that subtly signaled His redemptive role as the one to make atonement for the world in the very act of dying on the cross. The handling of the clothes of Jesus Christ on the occasion of His crucifixion demonstrates the inspiration of the Bible and the divine origin of the Christian religion.
What Wear for Inauguration
When you’re in a dress code, you have to think about what you wear. Will it be appropriate for the occasion? Will it fit the setting? Will it be comfortable?
As we enter a new era in American politics, we want to make sure that everyone has the chance to dress up for inauguration day. Whether you’re going to a protest or simply looking for a way to celebrate this momentous occasion, we’ve got some ideas for how you can dress up without breaking the bank or breaking any rules.
For the Inauguration of President Donald Trump, I would suggest wearing a business suit.
I believe that this is the best choice because it will be cold outside and you need to be comfortable, warm and professional at the same time. It is also a great way to show respect for our country’s new leader.
Inauguration Day is a special occasion, and you want to look your best. But how do you know what to wear?
First, check the weather. It’s cold outside, but it’s supposed to be sunny. Make sure your outfit isn’t too heavy—you don’t want to be uncomfortable all day.
Second, consider what event you’re attending. If there’s an official swearing-in ceremony that requires formalwear, then you’ll want something more formal than jeans and a t-shirt. But if you’re going to one of the many protests happening around Washington DC today, a nice coat or sweater and some comfortable shoes will do just fine!
Inauguration is a time of celebration, but it’s also a time to remember the importance of fashion. As you head out to celebrate, we recommend wearing a dress that is both comfortable and appropriate for the occasion.
We recommend a dress that has an A-line skirt, because this will make you feel more comfortable on your feet. The A-line skirt also gives you some extra room if you’re going dancing later in the night!
The best part about wearing an A-line dress is that it looks great from all angles, so whether you’re standing or sitting down, you’ll still look fantastic!
Keep in mind that some people will be making political statements with their clothing choices during this week’s events—so if you want to stay safe and avoid any controversy at all costs, we recommend sticking with classic black attire.
Inauguration Day is a day of celebration and reflection, but it can also be a day of uncertainty for many people. How do you dress for this occasion?
Your clothing should reflect your political beliefs and the current state of affairs in America. If you’re a Trump supporter, wear something that shows your allegiance to him—and if you’re not, wear something that demonstrates your opposition to him.
You’ve got your outfit picked out, but what should you wear?
We know you’re going to be in some of the most important and exciting moments in history. We also know that’s pretty intimidating—but we’re here to help!
First off, let’s talk about what not to wear:
-Your granny’s housecoat. It might have served her well for years, but she wasn’t sworn in as President. You can leave it at home.
-Your favorite pair of jeans and t-shirt combo—even if they are super comfy, those clothes don’t belong at an inauguration event! This is a time for celebration, so dress up and look great!
If you’re headed to the inauguration of our 45th president, then let us help you get ready!
The weather in Washington, D.C., is expected to be unseasonably warm for January 20th. The forecast calls for temperatures in the mid-50s (that’s 14°C) and sunny skies throughout the day. So don’t forget your sunglasses and sunscreen!
As for what you should wear… well, that’s a tricky question. It’s not like there are any “uniforms” for inaugurations, but we’ve done our best to put together some styles that look great and can take whatever weather Mother Nature throws at them.
For women:
Dressy Casual: If you want to look classy but still casual enough to move around comfortably, this is your best bet. A dressy shirt with jeans or pants will do the trick nicely—and if it rains, just throw on an overcoat or rain jacket.
Coat & Jeans: Women who want a more formal look might want to consider wearing a coat with jeans or pants underneath—these two pieces of clothing tend to go together well because they both have an urban style about them. And if it rains?
What to Wear to the Inauguration
There’s nothing like a new presidency to get people excited about fashion. But with so many styles and brands out there, it can be hard to know what to wear! Here are some tips for what you should wear for the Inauguration:
If you’re attending an inauguration party, it’s best to stick with classic, timeless looks. You’ll want to avoid anything too flashy or obscure—you don’t want people talking about your outfit instead of the swearing in of our new president!
For men, a nice suit is always a good bet. Make sure it fits well and isn’t too shiny or wrinkled, though (you want to look presidential, not sleazy). Women can go for simple dresses or pantsuits; just make sure they aren’t too tight or revealing (again: you don’t want anyone thinking about your body at this momentous occasion).
For kids and babies: Well-fitting suits are perfect! Just make sure they’re appropriate for the weather and aren’t too tight or loose on their bodies so they don’t get cold or hot while sitting outside waiting for hours on end.
Whether you’re attending the inauguration in person or watching it from home, you want to look your best. Here are some tips for what to wear:
-Dress in layers. It’s going to be cold outside, but you don’t want to be too hot once you’re inside.
-Bring a scarf or pashmina if you have one. It’s going to be freezing out there!
-If you’re going with someone else, coordinate your outfits!
It’s no secret that the inauguration of our new president, Donald J. Trump, is a big deal. It’s also no secret that a lot of people are afraid.
So what do you wear to an event like this? How do you express your feelings about it, and stand up for yourself in the process?
First of all: don’t go overboard. You can be respectful while still being true to yourself. If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of attending the inauguration at all, don’t go—you don’t have to be there if it doesn’t feel right for you. But if you want to be there, but aren’t sure how to dress or behave in order to make your presence known without being too obvious about it, here are some tips:
1) Don’t wear your political affiliation on your sleeve (literally). It’s OK if people know where you stand politically—that’s not exactly a secret now, is it? But don’t come dressed like someone who supports Donald Trump; instead, come dressed like someone who supports decency and equality for all people regardless of who they are or where they were born!
The Inauguration of the 45th President of the United States is an incredibly important event. It marks the beginning of a new era in our country’s history, and it’s one that will shape the future for all Americans.
Inaugurations are typically very formal events and it is important to dress accordingly. For women, this means wearing a dress or skirt suit, or a dress coat (if you work in an office environment). For men, suits are expected as well.
If you choose to wear a suit, make sure that it fits well and is pressed properly. If you have any doubts about how your suit fits or looks on you, get someone else’s opinion on whether it looks good before going out in public! You don’t want to end up looking like an idiot in front of millions of people!
If you’re unsure about what to wear for inauguration day, take a look at some photos from past inaugurations so that you can get an idea of what other people wore during previous inaugurations.
Inauguration day is a time to celebrate the peaceful transition of power, and it’s also a time to dress up. The day will be full of pomp and circumstance, so you’ll want to look your best.
The weather in Washington, DC on inauguration day is usually mild and sunny with temperatures in the mid-60s. You’ll want to wear layers so you can take them off if things get too hot or add more if it gets chilly.
A great option for inauguration day is a dress that has a wrap or cardigan style top so you can cover up when needed. Or try a coat with an open front that lets your outfit peek through for a more casual look.
You can wear whatever color you like for inaugurals—red, white, blue—but keep in mind that this isn’t just any other day of the year. We recommend wearing red or white because they’re the official colors of our country’s flag and have been associated with our nation since its inception over 200 years ago!
What to Wear for the Inauguration
You love America. You’ve seen all of the memes, and now you’re ready to take part in the fun. The inauguration is a great way to show your support for our new president and get involved in the political process. But what should you wear?
First, you need a look that says “I’m here to celebrate our new leader.” One option is an outfit inspired by one of Trump’s favorite colors: gold. Gold accessories are a great way to show your patriotism, but you can also wear a full-on gold suit or dress if you want to go all out!
For those who want something more subtle, try wearing red, white, and blue clothing or accessories such as jewelry or shoes. If you want something even more subtle than that, just wear jeans and a white T-shirt with “Make America Great Again” written on it in black marker!
Finally, if none of these options appeal to you—or if they’re not appropriate for where you’ll be celebrating—you can always go with full business attire like suits or dresses instead!
The inauguration of the 45th president of the United States, Donald J. Trump, will take place on January 20th, 2017. Inaugurations are always significant moments in American history, but this one is particularly important for our country—and for you.
It’s important to look your best at this event because you’ll be representing your company and yourself as an individual. If you’re planning on attending the inauguration, here are some tips to help you dress appropriately:
-You should wear business attire. This means suits or dresses with jackets and ties for men and skirts or pantsuits for women. You can also wear a tuxedo if you prefer something more formal.
-The color scheme of your outfit should conform to traditional inauguration colors: reds and blues are traditional choices, but if you want to go bolder than that, purple is becoming popular as well; just make sure it’s not too bright or flashy!
-The inauguration takes place at noon on January 20th. You should arrive with plenty of time before then so that you don’t miss any part of it!
Our advice: dress in layers. It’s important to be prepared for the cold, so make sure you have a good coat and scarf. You might also want to consider wearing gloves or mittens, as well as hats and scarves.
While some will be attending an event with a red carpet, you’ll likely be spending most of your time outdoors—and mix of indoor and outdoor events are common at inaugurations. So don’t forget to pack an extra pair of shoes (or two) if you’re planning on changing clothes multiple times during the day!
The inauguration is a time to celebrate the beginning of a new presidency, and it’s also a time to show your support for the candidate you voted for. To do that, you’ll want to wear something that represents your values and beliefs.
Here are some ideas:
Wear red if you’re a Republican or orange if you’re a Democrat. While this may seem like an obvious choice, it’s important to show solidarity with your party—especially during this election cycle.
If you want to express yourself more personally, try wearing green or blue as a nod to your candidate’s campaign colors. This can also be done in other ways—for example, by sporting a pin that shows support for their campaign!
You might also consider wearing an item from their campaign store or official website. There are many options available that will help you show off your political affiliation without being too over-the-top about it (and without spending too much money!).
Inauguration is a time to celebrate the peaceful transition of power. We look forward to welcoming the new president and first lady as they begin their time in office.
It’s important to remember that this is an opportunity for us to show our appreciation and respect for the office of the presidency. We must also be mindful of our own actions and how they may be perceived by others.
For example, it is not appropriate for men to wear kilts or kilted skirts, or women to wear pantsuits or pantsuits with skirts—unless those pantsuits or pantsuits with skirts are made from silk and have been hand-embroidered by monks at the Abbey of Saint Benedict in Monte Cassino, Italy.
Inauguration Day is about celebrating democracy through fashion, so we encourage you all to dress up in your best clothes!
