They kept striking His head with a staff and spitting on Him. And they knelt down and bowed before Him.
Here, I. Pilate, to gratify the Jews' malice, delivers Christ to be crucified, Mar 15:15. Willing to content the people, to do enough for them (so the word is), and make them easy, that he might keep them quiet, he released Barabbas unto them, who was the scandal and plague of their nation, and delivered Jesus to be crucified, who was the glory and blessing of their nation.
Commenting on Mark 15:15-21
And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian,.... See Gill on Mat 27:32; who passed by; as they were leading Jesus to be crucified: coming out of the country; from some country village hard by, according to the Syriac, and Vulgate Latin versions; or out of the field, as the Persic and Ethiopic: he might have been in the field, about some rural business; or, as Dr.
Verse 19. Worshipped him. Mocked him with the appearance of homage. The word worship here denotes only the respect and honour done to princes and kings. It does not refer to any religious homage. They regarded him as foolishly and madly claiming to be a king--not as claiming to be Divine. (c) "spit upon him"