And spitting on him, they would take the reed and strike him on the head.
This verse describes the most extreme form of human humiliation toward Jesus: those who should have defended justice attacked the Righteous One with mockery and contempt. Spitting was a sign of the deepest violation of respect, and striking with a reed was a symbol of mocked authority: they were striking the head on which the crown of thorns had been placed. Yet every blow became a part of the plan of salvation: the thorns and the blows symbolized the burden of human sin that Christ willingly took upon Himself. The world struck Him with hatred, but He received it with love, making disgrace the beginning of the glory of salvation. This episode shows how deeply a person can fall when he refuses to acknowledge Holiness and, at the same time, how great are God’s mercy and patience.