The Coronation of the King
This crowning ceremony was unlike any other.
Mark’s gospel account immediately issued a challenge to the Roman Empire.
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Mark 1:1)
The Roman Empire claimed to be the ones with the true gospel - or joyful news.
“Gospel” is the English translation of the Greek word “euangelion” which means “news that brings great joy.”
When we hear this word today, our minds immediately tend to associate it with spirituality in general, or Christianity in particular, but originally, this word was political in nature.
In the Greco-Roman world, from the time of Alexander the Great and on into the Roman Empire, this word was used to refer to history-making, world-shaping reports of political, military, or societal victories. - nickcady.org
In the first century, the Roman Empire was the most powerful nation in the world. Anyone who opposed them was eventually ground into dust.
The gospel of Jesus Christ was a direct challenge to what the Roman Empire claimed to offer the world.
When Mark records the crucifixion of Jesus, the events he records closely mirror the coronation ceremony of Caesar. The following comes from the NIV First-Century Study Bible. Notice the parallels between the usual coronation ceremony for Caesar and what was done to Jesus.
Praetorian guard gathered around Caesar/ The Praetorian guard gathered around Jesus (Mark 15:16).
Caesar given the robe of Jupiter, a scepter and an olive branch crown while being acclaimed, “Hail, Caesar”/ Jesus given a purple robe, scepter (Matthew 27:29) and a crown of thorns while being acclaimed, “Hail, king of the Jews” (Mark 15:17-18).
Royal procession through the streets of Rome while leading a sacrificial bull/ Procession through the streets of Jerusalem while leading Jesus to His death (Mark 15:21).
Procession arrived at Capitoline Hill (head hill) in Rome/ Procession arrived at Golgotha (place of the skull) (Mark 15:22).
Caesar given a bowl of wine mixed with myrrh, which he sacrificially refused and poured on the ground/ Jesus offered wine mixed with myrrh but He refused it (Mark 15:23).
Bull slaughtered/ Jesus crucified (Mark 15:24).
Caesar climbed the steps of the temple of Jupiter with his royal officials on his right and left/ Jesus had two criminals crucified on his right and left (Mark 15:27).
Crowds acclaimed Caesar and sang his praises/ Crowds mocked Jesus and insulted Him (Mark 15:29-32).
It’s also interesting that Mark recorded the statement of the centurian when Jesus died, “Surely this man was the Son of God” (Mark 15:39). “Son of God” was a title typically reserved for Caesar.
All of this demonstrates that the gospel of Jesus Christ was a message that challenged the Roman Empire and the Roman Caesars. Jesus is shown to be the true Son of God and the actual Savior of the world.
Jesus is the “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16).