15 ¹⁶ Then the soldiers took him inside the courtyard (the Governor's headquarters Greek: praetorium.) and called together the whole company. 15 ¹⁷ They dressed him in purple, and having plaited a crown of thorns, placed it on his head. 15 ¹⁸ Then they began to salute him with, 'Hail, is King of the Jews!' 15 ¹⁹ They beat him about the head with a cane and spat upon him, and then knelt and paid mock homage to him. 15 ²⁰ When they had finished their mockery, they stripped him of the purple and dressed him in his own clothes.