Painted with oil on copper by a French or Nordic painter in the mid-17th century, this painting visually encapsulates the mockery of Christ by the Roman soldiers as documented in the gospels.
While this painting is packed with scripture, it also explores a deeper theme: the sin of omission.
“Whoever knows what is right to do and fails
to do it, for him it is sin.” – James 4:17
Just as Pontius Pilate went against his conscience
as he stood by and did nothing, this painting
further explores the often forgotten reality,
that there were many others who stood by.
It poses to us a sobering question:
what would we have done in their place?
Meditate on the following scripture verses.
“And plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head,
and put a reed in his right hand.”
– Matthew 27:29
“And his sweat became like great drops of blood”
– Luke 22:44
“Then they spat in his face, and struck him;
and some slapped him, saying,
‘Prophesy to us, you Christ!
Who is it that struck you?’”
– Matthew 26:67-68
“Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many
in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against
(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also),
that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.”
– Luke 2:34-35
Notice the contrast between the insolence of the
soldier on the left (sinistra), versus the doubtful
expression of the soldier on the right.
He almost seems to be looking to his superior (as indicated
by the feathers in his helmet) for confirmation that this
behaviour is indeed acceptable, taking heed from him over
his own conscience, which is clearly tugging at him.
Who is truly in greater sin here?
Finally, I have a special appreciation for how the artist
has managed to perfectly capture the state of moral
dilemma in the expression of this soldier in the background.
It’s easy to criticise Pontius Pilate for washing his hands,
but how often does life serve us with situations where
we too, wish we could simply do the same?
