Thorns and the Crown of Thorns

Thorns first appear in the curse after the fall: 'Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee.' From then on they stand for the hardship, frustration and fruitlessness that sin brought into the world. In Jesus' parable the seed that fell among thorns was choked, and Paul spoke of 'a thorn in the flesh' that kept him humble. At Jesus' trial the soldiers 'platted a crown of thorns' and pressed it on his head in mockery. Many readers have seen in that moment the King bearing on his own brow the sign of the curse he came to remove.

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Strongest connections in Scripture

Genesis 3 John 19

Key Passages

Thorns Also and Thistles

Genesis 3:17-18

After the fall the ground itself is cursed, and thorns become a lasting sign of life under sin.

A¹⁷nd unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

¹⁸ Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

The Crown of Thorns

John 19:1-5

The soldiers crown Jesus with thorns and robe him in purple, and Pilate presents him to the crowd: 'Behold the man!'

T¹hen Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

² And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, ³ And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. ⁴ Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. ⁵ Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!