Matthew 27:30 - Exposition

They spit upon him. Repeating the atrocious outrage already offered ( Matthew 26:67 ). Smote him ( ἐ ì τυπτον , imperf., kept smiting him ) on the head. They tore the mock sceptre from his trembling hands, and one after the other, as they passed, struck him with it on the head, at every blow driving the thorns deeper into his flesh. Here must be introduced some other attempts of Pilate to save him, narrated by St. John ( John 19:4-16 ), especially the episode of "Ecce Homo!"