Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. (Mark 15: 16-20)

In the Gospel of John after Pilate asks Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?" (Or perhaps, "You are King of the Jews?") Jesus responds, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would be fighting... but as it is, my kingdom is not of this realm." (John 18: 36)

Pilate seeks clarification, "So you are a king?" Jesus agrees. But whether the distinction regarding realms is understood by the Prefect is not clear. For the soldiers there is but one realm - this one - and the claim of Jesus is good cause for derision.

Too often the realm of Jesus is confused for our current realm. The result is absurdity, confusion, and tragedy. Jesus was not - is not - a reformer. His goal is more radical than reform. For Jesus our loyalty to the current realm must be replaced. Our ultimate loyalty is to another place. In this realm those who would be with Jesus are always aliens.

In many churches the stations of the cross commemorate the path to crucifixion. The first station is the condemnation by Pilate. An online version of the stations is available from the College of the Resurrection. Above is the Mocking of Christ by Giotto.