What is the significance of the crown of thorns?

from the old testament

• Part of the curse in Genesis 3 is that the ground would produce thorns and thistles (Genesis 3:18). These thorns, which were part of the curse, would pierce the One who came to undo the curse.
• Isaiah 53:5 prophecies of the Messiah’s suffering: "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." This includes the suffering by the crown of thorns in the New Testament.

from the new testament

• In Matthew 27:28–29 we read, "And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!'"
• This same account is also found in Mark 15:17–18 where we find: "And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, 'Hail, King of the Jews!'"
• John 19:2–3 adds, "And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' and struck him with their hands."
• The crown of thorns was used to mock Jesus. The people used both a purple robe and this crown to present Him as a king and then mistreated Him before putting Him to death on the cross. Even on the cross, a sign hung over His head stating Jesus as "King of the Jews" (John 19:19–22).
• The crown of thorns rightly revealed that Jesus is the Messiah King who suffered in our place. He is "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16).
• Hebrews 2:9 reads, "But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone." The One who was crowned with thorns suffered on our behalf and has been crowned with glory.
• Hebrews 6:7–8 also reveals that thorns were viewed negatively in ancient culture and were considered a curse: "For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned." The idea that Jesus was crowned with thorns highlighted that His suffering and death were a curse. Galatians 3:13 says, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree—'" Yes, Jesus, indeed, took the curse of our sin upon Him so we could be freed and experience blessing if we trust in Him.
• When Jesus was crowned with a crown of thorns, His torturers unknowingly punished Him with a symbol fitting of the suffering Messiah. Though Jesus suffered and died for the sins of people, He rose again, gloriously revealing Himself as the true King and Savior of the world (Revelation 1:5–6; 5:12–14).

implications for today

The crown of thorns serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus Christ's sacrificial love and redemption. The thorns, originally part of the curse in Genesis, symbolize the consequences of humanity's sinfulness. Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would suffer and be pierced for our sins, a prophecy fulfilled when Jesus suffered during His crucifixion, including wearing the crown of thorns. This act, intended to mock His kingship, paradoxically revealed His true identity as the suffering Messiah and King of kings. Jesus willingly bore the curse of sin upon Himself, dying a cursed death on the cross to redeem us from our sins. His resurrection proclaimed victory over sin and death, offering us forgiveness and eternal life through faith in Him. The crown of thorns challenges us to reflect on the depth of Christ's sacrifice and inspires us to live in gratitude for His grace and salvation, embracing Him as our true King and Savior.