Then Pilate said to them, mockingly, "Shall I crucify your King?" But they cried the more exceedingly, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. Then Pilate released Barabbas to them, and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. XX. The Soldiers Mocked Him So when Pilate had sentenced Him to be crucified the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered together the rest of the soldiers, and began to mock at the dear Lord whom we love so much. They clothed Him with a purple robe, and they plaited a crown of long sharp thorns and put it on His loving head, and then they put a reed in His hand and bowed down to Him, and mocked Him saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Jesus did not mind being called the King of the Jews, because He came on earth to be their King; He was only sorry that they would not love Him, or have Him for their King and Saviour. Ah, how it must have cut Him to the heart in all His pain, to have them mock Him, and beat Him on the head, and spit upon Him, and pretend to worship Him. If our hearts are filled with grief that He could have suffered so much, should we not love Him more than ever; and turn away from the sins which He died on purpose to save us from? So Pilate went outside again, and said to the Jews, "Behold, I bring Him forth to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him." Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns, and Pilate said, "Behold the man!" But the Jews burst out again with the cry, "Crucify Him!" And Pilate said, "Why, what evil hath He done?" But the Jews told Pilate that Jesus had made Himself equal with God, and so He must die. Then Pilate was more afraid than ever, and went again into the hall, and asked Jesus where He had come from? But Jesus gave him no answer. At length the Jews clamoured so loudly, and told Pilate that he was not Cæsar's friend, that though Pilate longed to release Jesus, when he heard them say that, he gave in to them, and brought Jesus forth for the last time, saying to them, "Behold your King!" And they all cried out, "Away with Him, crucify Him!" "The head that once was crowned with thorns Is crowned with glory now: A royal diadem adorns The mighty Victor's brow. "The highest place that heaven affords Is His, is His by right: The King of kings, and Lord of lords, And heaven's eternal light." XXI. Jesus Carrying His Cross And after they had mocked Jesus, they took off the gorgeous robe in which Herod and his soldiers had dressed Him, and they put His own clothes on Him again, and led Him away to crucify Him. And Jesus—the King of glory—went forth, carrying the cross on which He was to be crucified for us! Thus our dear Lord left the city where He had been rejected and condemned, bearing His heavy, cruel cross.