15. Then, willing to gratify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified.
16. Then the soldiers led Him away into the courtyard (that is, headquarters ) and called the whole company together.
17. They dressed Him in a purple robe, twisted together a crown of thorns, and put it on Him.
18. And they began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews! ”
19. They kept hitting Him on the head with a reed and spitting on Him. Getting down on their knees, they were paying Him homage.
20. When they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the purple robe, put His clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.
21. They forced a man coming in from the country, who was passing by, to carry Jesus’ cross. He was Simon, a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus.